Jeff asked me a few days ago if I had posted to Eat My Bomb about Aleph One. I hadn’t, and I figured it would be a good idea to check it out since the last time I checked out the project, it was still a bit buggy.

So I downloaded it–and it’s great. These guys have updated Marathon to work on modern computers and multiple platforms (Mac OS X, Windows, Linux). They’ve also added OpenGL code and Internet networking support. They’ve even fixed the microphone thing so it actually works now!

Download it here. You’ll need either an original Marathon CD (preferably Marathon Infinity if you’re going to play network games) or the downloadable demo.
http://source.bungie.org/

Installation instructions come with the Windows version. For the Mac, copy the Images, Map, (perhaps the Physics Models?), Shapes, and Sounds to the same folder that contains the Aleph One application.

Also, some guys have made high-res textures that replace the original Marathon ones. It looks even better than Halo now, if you can believe it! The high-res ones are for G5s/fast Intel/fast Athlons, the medium-res ones are for G4s/slower Intel/slower Athlons:
http://fileball.net/marathon/

Look in the “Top Downloads” section in the right-hand side partway down the page. The files are called “Total Texture Enhancement Package” (M) for medium-res, (H) for high-res. There’s a low-res version, too. And don’t forget to check out the updated sound files while you’re at it.

I took some screenshots of these textures (mid-res since I only have a G4). Click on the pictures to see a larger version.

Check it out! Perhaps we can get some net games happening in the near future.