Game developerBungieannounced on Wednesday that it is reviving Marathon , a video secret plan that the company first released on the Mac nearly 30 long time ago . The plot wo n’t have a individual - player story like the original ; or else , its focus is as a PvP hired gun where “ players inhabit the bodies of Runners , cybernetic soldier of fortune who have been designed to survive [ Tau Ceti ’s ] harsh environments , exploring the lost settlement that once inhabited Tau Ceti ’s surface . ”
The new Marathon does n’t have an official release date . Bungie did free a promotional video – it does n’t have gameplay footage , but it determine the tone for what could be an intriguing plot .
Looks cool . But you must have a PC , PlayStation , or Xbox Series X / S to play Marathon . The Mac is not on the compatibility list . That ’s a cock-a-hoop disappointment for me , not just because of what it says about Apple ’s gambling efforts , but also because of Marathon ’s root and its special property in my professional history .
Me, the Mac, and Marathon
In the early part of my life history as a diary keeper compensate Apple , I was on the game beat forMacUsermagazine . Back then , there was a tone amongst both Apple and secret plan developers that the Mac play mart was burgeoning . Apple had “ plot revivalist ” who bring specifically with game developers , and they also make and tended to a Mac gambling community . These gospeller had a cacoethes for what they did and wore it on their sleeve – literally . They often had power train , such as a leather bomber jacket with embellishment on the back to promote the political program .
Not to brag , but I haveone of these jackets(though these photo are n’t mine ) .
Marathon was at the heart of the fervour . I saw a demo of the original Marathon and think it was what the Mac gaming community needed after the charge ofSpectredissipated . Marathon became a hit and give acceptance to the Mac as a gambling program .
Most crucial to me are my fond memories with Marathon and the time the MacUser stave ( which , at the time , also included acurrent Macworld columnist ) would thirstily expect 5 premier so we could combat each other in Marathon mesh death matches . MacUser ’s headquarters on the eighteenth floor of theFoster City Metro Towerwould repeat with yelps , screaming , and laughs ( lots of laughs ) from us near blasting each other to bits . Damn , it was fun .
I wo n’t get into the wholestory of Bungieand thehistory of Mac gambling – it ’s been recount over and over again . But when I seem back at the Mac , Marathon is a huge part of it . ( I’mnot the only onewho thinks this . )
There’s hope but reality can slap you pretty hard in the face
As for thecurrentstate of Mac gaming , well , we did apodcastabout it last February and talk about how it does n’t experience like much is happening toward relieve oneself the Mac a viable gambling weapons platform . Apple says it is making an effortbut , as with a wad of what Apple does today , it save those efforts under wraps .
It ’d be gracious to see the modern Marathon on a Mac , but I doubt it ’ll happen .
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That is , if they ’re really doing anything at all . The Marathon announcement is a drop chance – imagine the buzz that would ’ve been created if Bungie say that Marathon was returning to its Mac roots . It would ’ve been a immense win for Apple , the Mac , and the Mac play community ( if it exists any longer ) . perhaps Apple did draw near Bungie and was repel . After all , the Mac stopped being on Bungie ’s radiolocation a prospicient time ago .
I suppose there ’s still a possibility Marathon on the Mac can happen . It would ask Apple to make out with a developmental partnership . A Mac rendering shipping at the same clock time as the other political platform would be awesome , but if you ’re intimate with the Mac gaming market , you probably know in your warmheartedness that this wo n’t happen .
The introductory form of theoriginal Marathonhas a quotation that says , “ Somewhere in the paradise … they are waiting . ” It ’s an ominous opening , but I ’m blend to flex it around here : peradventure the Mac gods are waiting for WWDC and will count down from the heaven and hallow the macOS surgical incision of the upcomingWWDCkeynote with a special preview of Marathon on an M - series Mac . Then I can once again revel in the memories of retiring Marathon death match and see forward to next single .
Arrival ? I hope so . But one can keep the religion only for so long .
Looking to get your Mac game on ? Here are a few usher to facilitate you .
