Aleph One Quick Start Guide

Linux and Windows SDL builds, ready-to-install RPMs of the M1A1, M2, Marathon Infinity scenarios and required libraries are available at the Aleph One/SDL site.

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Data Files

Next you will need the Aleph One data files.

Mac Users (PPC and Intel)

If you have the Bungie CD's, copy either Marathon 2 and/or the Infinity folders to your HD.

If you do not have the Bungie CD's you can download the Mac Marathon files from the Trilogy Release Site.

The Trilogy Release now offers a "Unimap" zip file with all you need to play M1A1, Marathon 2 and Infinity on Intel SDL/Macs.

More information on the "Unimap".

Pc and Linux Users

Download the Marathon A1/SDL data files from The Trilogy Release Site.

The Trilogy Release now offers a "Unimap" zip file with all you need to play M1A1, Marathon 2 and Marathon Infinity on Linux and Windows. More information on the "Unimap".

More information about SDL can be found on the Simple DirectMedia Layer site.

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Playing Aleph One

News, full installation and user support is available at the Marathon:Aleph One Page.

F-key functions are listed in the Official Aleph One User Manual.

You should now have a folder with the data files and the Aleph One folder with the application or exe.

Mac Users

Copy all the Marathon 2 or Infinity data files into the Aleph One application folder.

You can find more help with the Mac install guide and in the Mac OSX Build Instructions.

Windows Users

The A1 infinity data and A1 application zip files

Download the Infinity or Marathon 2 sdl data file.

Download the Windows Aleph One application.

The M2 or Infinity data folder - Sounds, Shapes, Music, Map, Images

The Marathon 2 or Infinity data folder.

Copy the AlephOne.exe (and Fonts / Themes if they're not already there) into the directory where the data files are stored.

The Trilogy Release now offers a "Unimap" zip file with all you need to play M1A1, Marathon 2 and Marathon Infinity on Windows. More information on the "Unimap".

Thanks to Cunakya4444 for the above Windows user images.

More Windows help can be found with the Windows install guide and the Cross Build Instructions for a Windows version of A1.

Linux Users

To play a scenario who's data files are anywhere on your file system, you can launch alephone with the ALEPHONE_DATA environment variable set to the location of the data files.

Example: $ ALEPHONE_DATA=/usr/local/games/Marathon2/ alephone -m. Please note that some scenarios (such as the trilogy release from Bungie) are not complete sets of data files.

It is also expecting some files that 'make install' installs into /usr/local/share/AlephOne. Copy them over or make links to make the data files usable.

Thanks to Will Dyson for the above Linux users text and image.

Help with compiling and installing Aleph One can be found in the Linux Install Guide and the Linux Build Instructions.

You can now play Aleph One. Wide screen resolutions and multi-button mice with scroll wheels are supported.

Aleph One now supports the Apple Mighty Mouse with the 10.4.2 or greater mouse software.

This is an experimental feature and is only for users who are comfortable with editing the A1 preference file.

Always make a copy of the file first.

The preference file is located in 'username'/Library/Preferences/Aleph One Preferences. Open the preference file in TextEdit and find

<mouse_button index="0" action="left_trigger"/>

<mouse_button index="1" action="right_trigger"/>

<mouse_button index="2" action="none"/>

<mouse_button index="3" action="right_trigger"/>

<mouse_button index="4" action="none"/>

Index 0 and 1 are the left and right mouse buttons. To add squeeze support for the second trigger add the 'right_trigger' to index 3 as above. Aleph One will soon offer full support via the game preference.

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IRC

Internet Relay Chat allows A1 users to enjoy real-time text conversations with Aleph One players from around the world.

To join the A1 chatroom connect to server: irc.freenode.net room: #alephone

Some irc acronyms are

afk: away from keyboard

brb: be right back

lol: laughing out loud

rofl: rolling on floor laughing

Mac users

A list of IRC applications can be found here.

To connect using Conversation, you will first need to select Preferences in the Conversation menu and enter your user nickname and other details.

Use the Plus Button to add a new server.

Enter irc.freenode.net as the new server. Press enter and you will connect to the server.

Use the Plus Button to add a new channel and enter #alephone. Press enter and you will enter the a1 chat room.

Use the Favorite/AutoJoin button (heart icon) to save the server and channel. Note the new heart symbol.

You have now joined and added the Aleph One channel to your favorites list.

PC and Linux users

A list of IRC applications can be found here.

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Networking

LAN and Internet games work well with Aleph One. Broadband is required for most network games. 56K may work well in your city or state. Please quit all p2p applications when playing or hosting Aleph One.

To chat in game use the \ key and enter your message. The text will be sent to all players and displayed for a short time when you press return.

To chat with Aleph One players from around the world, join the a1 irc channel.

Games use the Marathon Infinity shapes unless the host tells you.

Aleph One has the option to find Internet games. This will display A1 games listed on the Mariusnet server and connect you to an A1 host. Mariusnet is not a dedicated server.

Select the game and click join. You will then be added to the game.

You also have the option to join via ip. Select the 'join via ip' box and enter the hosts ip number.

Click on 'join game' in Aleph One and wait to be added by the host.

Press tab to reincarnate during a game.

Hosting a game

If you have a firewall and would like to host a game you will need to open some ports.

When hosting you will need to forward TCP and UDP port 4226.

For more information read the 'Networking Users Guide' text in the Aleph One application folder.

Your network and hosting an Aleph One game

Many users have routers and/or modems with firewall services. To host a network game you will need to forward TCP and UDP port 4226. If are comfortable with changing your firewall rules, portforward.com has support for Aleph One.

Aleph One has a network setup option to “Attempt to configure UpnP (non-Apple) routers. Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a set of computer network protocols that simplify the implementation of networks.

If your router is made after 2000 and supports UpnP you should have a faster option to open the needed ports.

Turn on UpnP in both the router and Aleph One application and it should open the requested ports.

When you start Aleph One you will have to turn on (select UpnP) in the Aleph One preferences as it will not save the setting.

Microsoft has a support page with links for setting up your router to use UpnP.

Select a map in the environment preferences and then select 'Host a Game'

Please read the Choosing a Good Map guide before you host.

Game types rules and strategies are listed here.

You have to option to connect users via your ip or to use 'Advertise game to Internet players' option.

Note 'dead players drop items' is only supported in coop games. Please check in the chat room before using the mic option in a net game.

Aleph One has the option to 'Advertise game to Internet players' and will display your A1 game on the Mariusnet server. Please note Mariusnet is not a dedicated server as you are still hosting the A1 game from your computer.

Allow Lara Croft will provide a 3d 'look down' view on the player. Ask in the chat room before using the in game microphone chat option.

Thanks to treellama for the Microsoft link.

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To play Marathon 1 (M1A1)

M1A1 is a remake of Marathon 1 that will work with Aleph One. It will not let you play old Marathon 1 content.

The Trilogy Release now offers a "Unimap" zip file with all you need to play M1A1 on Linux, Mac and PC.

If you are a Mac user download the M1A1 files from here.

The Mac M1A1 Japanese Version can be downloaded from here.

The Mac M1A1 French Version can be downloaded from here.

If you are a Linux/PC user download the M1A1 files from here.

The M1A1 Japanese Version for Linux/PC can be downloaded from here.

Follow the instructions included with M1A1 and you are ready to play.

High resolution graphics

Aleph One can be played with higher resolution textures by downloading a Total Texture Enhancement Package. They are for Marathon 1, 2 and Infinity and support all operating systems. Aleph One has an OpenGL preference option for anisotropic filtering, providing your graphics card has the hardware support.

Aleph One supports two options for the display of high resolution graphics.

One option is to use jpeg/png images, but the dds option is now recommended.

Another option is via S3 Texture compression and the DirectDraw Surface (dds) file format.

Jpeg (dds option is now recommended)

The files below will allow you to download a set of jpeg images at a set size for your VRAM limits.

The lowest version is 128*128 and the same size as the original Marathon textures.

The low resolution version is 256*256 for G3's and low-end PC's

The medium resolution version is 512*512 for G4's and modern PC's

The high resolution version is 1024*1024 for G5's, Pro's and high-end PC's

Hi res landscape package

The Landscape Enhancement Package for Marathon 2 and Infinity.

The landscape package will give you a set of hi res jpeg images.

They can be used with the dds files. If you get a corrupted hi res landscape when playing a1 try setting the landscape texture resolution to half.

Select Opengl Settings in the Graphics Preferences and click on the Advanced tab.

Set the Landscape Resolution size to half. This should allow you to enjoy the hi res landscapes and dds textures on your system.

Playing with Low VRAM

Note for using A1 with low VRAM: If you have less then 16 MB of VRAM select the Prefernces, Graphics, OpenGL Settings then the Advanced tab. You can reduce the wall and landscape texture size so that your hardware can support A1 with OpenGL.

DDS

With the dds texture format you only need to download one file for all the above size options.

Within the Aleph One application you can then select the size of the texture that is best supported by your system.

The VRAM needed for the same size jpeg texture will be reduced.

Installation instructions are included. The textures do not modify your install of Aleph One and can be added, upgraded or removed at any time.

lhowon.org hosts the 223 MB dds file that includes a read me with full install instructions.

Note the OpenGL Advanced tab has the Nvidia GeForce 1-4 Texture Fix option if needed.

In the Graphics: Opengl Preference options the Replacement Texture Quality drop down menus lists the following:

Unlimited: Your opengl system limit - it might be 2048, 4096 or 8192 depending on OS or hardware.

Normal: 256 The original Marathon texture size.

High: 512 A good selection for G4's and modern PC's

Higher: 1024 For G5's, Pro's and high-end PC's

Highest: 2048 Not included in the dds file.

Thanks to treellama for size information.

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Maps and Scenarios

There are many solo maps, netmaps and scenarios available for all supported operating systems. Linux and PC users should read about the SDL versions at the The Orbital Arm.

Try the following sites for more maps and scenarios.

Scenario News

The Fileball Marathon Lh'owon Ar'kives

The Archives at Bungie.Org

Mac Users

Some scenarios may include sound and shape patches. You will need Classic or emulate Classic to run the the OS 9 application Anvil (v1.0.3) from the The Trilogy Release Site.

Open a new copy of the Marathon shapes file with Anvil and select 'Import From Patch File...' from the Shape menu.

Select the sound or shape patch file. Save the new shapes file using 'Save As' from the File menu.

Move your new shapes or sound and map files into your Aleph One application folder.

Select your new shapes and or sound files in the Aleph One preferences via the file tab.

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Third party scenarios

The following are just some of the scenarios that can be played on all operating systems and online.

My guide to all 51 maps in the Rubicon Network Maps pack.

Mac Users

Copy the Aleph One application into the data folder and you are ready to play. Change the name of the Aleph One application to reflect the name of the scenario or any name except 'Aleph One'. Preferences files will then be unique to that scenario and thus prevent different shapes or sounds from loading.

Aleph RED (v1.1) download for Mac users.

Aleph RED Japanese Ver. (v1.0) download for Mac users.

Aleph EVIL (v1.0) download for Mac users.

Aleph Rubicon (v1.0) download for Mac users.

Tempus Irae and Tempus Irae 2 - The Lost Levels.

The Portal of Sigma (v1.1) download for Mac users.

Mac users with Classic should download the installers from the scenarios web sites and follow the included instructions. An Aleph One scenario script will add support for Pfh'Joueur. Follow the instructions included with the scripts.

The Pfh'Joueur web site.

Pfh'Joueur (v1.1) installer download for Mac Users and mml script file.

Pc and Linux Users

Marathon: Evil SDL

Marathon:RED SDL

Marathon RED Japanese Ver. for SDL (v1.0)

Marathon Rubicon

Tempus Irae and Tempus Irae 2 - The Lost Levels.

The Portal of Sigma SDL

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Films

When playing a saved film use the [ and ] keys to adjust film replay speed. The "Backspace" or "Delete" (not "Del") key changes the player view when watching cooperative or team games.

Developers

The sourceforge.net project site for Marathon Aleph One.

The Aleph One wiki with CVS, info for scenario designers and build instructions.

Marathon Markup Language (MML) support.

Nightly builds for developers with the changelogs are available here.

Aleph One preview builds. (Note: Not as stable as release builds)

You may also want to join the marathon developers mailing list.

To chat with other A1 developers join the a1 irc channel.

If you do not have Classic on your system you can emulate it with Basilisk II (68K) or SheepShaver (PPC). You will need a ROM file and the Mac OS, but the Marathon map making tools will work on Linux, Intel Macs and Windows. Note you might need the 68K version of Forge. Note Basilisk II is very stable but 68K only and SheepShaver supports PPC.

For more information see the AlephOne map/mod FAQ

Tools for map making with Classic are listed here.

How to create a "Unimap", a scenario that will work with both SDL and Mac versions of Aleph One.

Thanks to BenUrban and Wrkncacnter for the emulate and 68k info.

Guides, Frappr, Plot and Wiki

If you are stuck on a solo map for Marathon 1,2 or Infinity or a third party scenario then help is available at the The Marathon Spoiler Guide.

You can also read about Marathon's story or post a message on the forums or the pfhorums.

The Wikipedia is free-content encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

The Marathon wiki page is here.

A Frappr world map showing the location of Aleph One players.

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Problems

If network games time out or you get an error, make sure the host has the required udp and tcp ports open.

If you get an error -2004 about 'could not initialize sound' error on startup, try setting Audio Output to 44100 Hz and 2ch-16 bit in Applications/Utilities/Audio MIDI Setup.

Mac users without working music need to change the music file type to AIFF. Download the Macintosh file typing tools. Drag the music file onto the Music File Typer script.

Linux users with red screens use the -m flag as described in the marathon developers mailing list. This should be fixed now.

No sound with a scenario? Try turning 16-bit sounds off in the A1 preferences. This is now fixed with the stable build.

If other players seem to be running into walls and/or shooting randomly your network game might be ' out of sync'. Quit your game and re gather.

For more information about out of sync games (oos) see the Aleph One Networking User's Guide.

Please note the Aleph One error log text file if you are having problems. Feel free to consult other users in the chat room or post your query to the forums on the sourceforge.net project site.

You may also ask on the marathon-support mailing list, set up to help people who have A1 questions.

The developers mailing list archives and sourceforge.net Marathon forums are also available for further reference.

Thanks

I would like to thank all chat room participants for their interest and input into all aspects of this game. I hope this guide is of some assistance to users. Thanks for all the great games.

Mark

email: ahuxley 'at' internode.on.net

Made with:

Document history:

9.8.2006 Added universal logo. Added Mac Pro to textures. Updated Rubicon/Tempus/M1A1 text and links.

22.5.2006 Added unimap text/info links. Added Rubicon map pack guide/pack links. Added hi res/landscape help, expanded low vram info and added dds as recommended. Added Build Instructions links for Mac, Windows and Linux. Added Advanced tab jpeg.

16.5.2006 Added dds info and link. Added Mac sdl Intel app link. Added MS networking link. Added less then 16mb VRAM info. Added opengl texture size jpeg. Added classic ppc/68k tools/OS links. Noted Linux m flag fix. Added neooffice banner. Removed windows install jpegs.

6.3.2006 Added a1 help mailing list link. Added PoS links. Added game and map guide link. Added irc text. Added install guide links. Added preview builds link.

23.1.2006 Added film section. pfhorum link changed.

15.1.2006 Added M1A1 French link. Added new A1 portfowarding.com link. Added text chat key. -2004 error fix added. Added a1 developer wiki and mml link. Fixed irc bookmark link. Fixed file tool link thanks mjjoonlilrnoinrs. Noted appleswitch forums down.

20.12.2005 Added firewall text. Thanks treellamadotorg. Added frappr map image.

12.12.2005 Changed networking removed link to online networking guide to text file in a1 app folder.

26.11.2005 Developer links updated. Thanks treellamadotorg.

25.11.2005 Added opengl links, more a1 application links.

24.11.2005 Added frappr link. Fixed irc bookmark. Removed 'nightly' build info. Changed application links. Current build options updated.

29.10.2005 Image links fixed.

28.10.2005 Replaced all 'aleph one' with 'aleph two'. Added irc links and irc Mac guide.

14.10.2005 Updated 'Aleph One/SDL site' link. Notes about aleph one/two chat room added. Note about Mac/Win release candidate builds. Added RED Japanese Mac and SDL links. More text about M1A1 and OOS.

26.9.2005 Added text on Apple Mighty Mouse support. Added map making tools link, thanks nforcer95. Changed network game jpeg.

20.7.2005 More info/links on nightly builds and function keys added.

15.7.2005 Added 4 new images, expanded hosting text. Added link to Mariusnet, pfhorums and lowest texture pack.

14.4.2005 Added A1 Mac Rubicon link. Removed A1 Mac Rubicon files and script links.

Fixed Marathon wiki link.

7.4.2005 Removed Evil data links and file structure image. Added A1 Mac Evil link. Changed text to reflect Mac Red and Evil downloads. Added Mac Tempus Irae 2 - The Lost Levels. Added sdl scenario link. Added link to wiki.

6.4.2005 Added new Mac A1 Red link. Added link from Marathon wiki.

22.3.2005 Added Windows Users install text and images. Thanks to Cunakya for the 4 Windows users folder images.

31.1.2005 Removed (case sensitive) from A1 chat room thanks treellamadotorg. DPDI coop note added. Added Rubicon net map link. Added anisotropic filtering.

28-1-2005 Added p2p note.

25-1-2005 Added images for Mac A1 graphics prefs, Mac Evil files, file typer and 16-bit sounds. Thanks to Will Dyson for the Linux users text and Aleph One sdl folder image.

22-1-2005 Added 'error -1' in Problems – thanks treellamadotorg. M1A1 Japanese version links added. Spanish translation by Paco González 'Saga'. Host port numbers listed. Evil install expanded. Noted Mac scenario installers.

20-1-2005 Initial comment. Updated application links – thanks kawaiipet. Updated No sound with 'a' scenario - thanks tychovii.

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This article is provided as is without any express or implied warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this article, the author assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

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