This FAQ was last updated on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, by Randall J. Currie.

This FAQ contains information about the Orbital Arm site, but also some about how we have gone about porting some scenarios for use with Marathon 2 for Windows.

For questions about Infinity Prime, click here.

Special thanks to "has" for much of this information.



Q: Is there a "Marathon (on Windows) for Dummies" FAQ I could read that will tell me how to run the Marathon Trilogy games (or demos) under Aleph One, Marathon's Open Source engine?

A: Actually, yes there is.  Joshua Bell's "Marathon (on Windows) for Dummies FAQ" does just that.



Q: Just how do you plan to port every scenario on the Macintosh platform? Are you aware that most of the scenarios are only for Marathon Infinity?

A: Yes, we're well-aware of this. For those of you who aren't aware, Marathon Infinity is the follow-up to M2; it was only available on the Macintosh. In Infinity, physics models are embedded in the level map- they can be separate, but usually they're built into each level, so that you can have different physics for different levels. M2 Windows does not support this.

However, Aleph One for Windows does support embedded physics models. It's still new and it's early in the development process, but it works well. How many scenarios will work with it, though, is still uncertain.



Q: What programs can we use to edit Marathon?

Currently, there are three. Obed allows you to edit Maps, M2 Shaper allows you to edit Shapes' textures, and M2 Cheat can modify saved games. Currently, there is no Windows Aleph One editor available, and the Bloodhound Editor that was being worked on appears to be asystolic.



Q: You also can't port custom shapes and textures. How do you plan to get around that?

A: Nijhazer and MCD already got around that. See the Infinity Prime FAQ for more information.



Q: What about sound files? You can't port sounds like that.

A: The M2 Windows sound file can be modified using a program called Wail, available at the Marathon Archives.



Q: What about images, and physics models?

A: The M2 physics models are supposed to be interchangeable across the platforms. Unfortunately, this isn't true for Infinity physics. There is a Macintosh program which can convert between the two, however.

As for images, all you have to do is run the Images file through PortMaster. Running a map through PortMaster will also convert the map's terminal images. Usually, the ID numbers of the first few terminal images must be reset in order for this to work.



Q: All right, let's assume that you can port whatever the heck you want to port. Will you be porting every scenario available for Mac?

A: I hope so. However, if we don't obtain permission from the original author, then we won't port it. That comes above everything else. I mention this especially because I understand that many in the Mac community fear I'm planning to "rip off" the original scenario creator(s); this could not be further from the truth. Note - if the author's e-mail address no longer works, then we may port the map without his/her/their permission. Please note, we will still always give them credit for their work.

Also, if you want to try a scenario we haven't ported yet, try playing it with Aleph One for Windows.



Q: How much are you planning to charge for the scenarios?

A: I'm still surprised sometimes when I get this question. All scenarios are free; you just need to have a copy of M2 Windows. Once you've purchased that, you're in business. I do ask, however, that you email the scenario creator(s) and thank him/her/them for his/her/their time and effort on said scenario.



Q: Will you be porting Marathon/Marathon Infinity?

A: Marathon Infinity can be played out of the box using Aleph One for Windows. If you're interested, purchase a copy of Marathon Infinity, and then install its data files into the Aleph One folder per the instructions outlines in "ReadMe.Win32.txt", included with Aleph One. As for Marathon, it is currently being ported to Aleph One. Check out the site.



Q: Will you be porting Pathways Into Darkness?

A: No. Unfortunately, while Pathways is a great game, it's engine is totally unlike the Marathon engine. Porting it would require a total engine rebuild, which is beyond our capabilities.  There is a Pathways Into Darkness to Aleph One port in development, however.



Q: How many people are on the Orbital Arm team?

A: Originally, there were two members - Nijhazer and MCD. Scott Noblitt joined early in 2000. Then, the server went down and Nijhazer and MCD left. Eon has since left the scene.  Now, Scott Noblitt, Logan Stromberg, and Randall J. Currie are the Orbital Arm team.



Q: How can I join the Orbital Arm team?

A: Send Scott Noblitt an e-mail asking to join the team and give any credentials or past experience. If he approves, your request will go up the ranks to Claude Errera for a background check (not really) and final approval.



Q: What is Aleph One?

A: Aleph One is the result of the Marathon Open Source effort. It is more advanced than the normal Marathon engine and includes all the features found in Marathon Infinity.



Q: Are you going to begin porting maps to Aleph One instead of Marathon 2?

A: Actually, we aren't sure of this one ourselves yet. Voice your opinion on the forums.