Editing List of Marathon references in the Halo series

{{Title|List of ''Marathon'' references in the ''Halo'' series}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
[[File:Marathon logo.jpg|thumb|The ''Marathon'' symbol.]]
Throughout the ''Halo'' series, [[Bungie]] have inserted numerous references to their older ''[[Marathon]]'' series. This is in keeping with their long history of incorporating references and allusions to their previous games in new works. At one point they even revealed that the stories of ''Marathon'' and of ''Pathways into Darkness'' (their first story-based action game) were connected. Many of the aforementioned ''Marathon'' references in ''Halo'' are appearances of the ''Marathon'' symbol, which in the ''Halo'' universe is the [[Forerunner]] symbol for "[[Reclaimer]]".

==''Halo'' universe==
*There are MJOLNIR Mark IV cyborgs in ''Marathon'', and there is the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]] in the ''Halo'' series.
* The Assault Rifle in ''Marathon'' was named the M.75, and its successor in ''Marathon 2: Durandal'' and ''Marathon Infinity'' has the designation MA-75B.  The Assault Rifle in ''Halo'' has multiple variants and multiple  designations including MA-5B in ''Halo: CE'', MA-37 in ''Halo: Reach'', and the MA40 in "Halo Infinite".
**The manufacturer of the Assault Rifle, [[Misriah Armory]], is also named after an event in the Marathon universe known as the "Misriah Massacre."
*The [[John-117|Master Chief]]'s Spartan tag is 117. In ''Marathon Infinity'' there was a hidden multiplayer map called ''Hats Off to Eight Nineteen'' (named after fan Hamish Sinclair, H=8, S=19). 819 divided by [[Seven|7]] is 117.
*The ''Marathon'' AI Durandal is named after a mythical [[Wikipedia:Durendal|sword]]. [[Wikipedia:Curtana|Curtana]], also spelled "[[Cortana]]", is a sword which bears the inscription "My name is Cortana, of the same steel and temper as [[Wikipedia:Joyeuse|Joyeuse]] and Durandal".
*The [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|Plasma Pistol]] is much like the Zeus Class Fusion Pistol from the ''Marathon'' series, which also possesses a vibrating over-charged shot.
*[[Unggoy|Grunts]] are similar in design to the generic Pfhor fighters, both being gray-skinned with gangly limbs, with unprotected heads but wearing masks over their mouths (though this is a loose comparison).
*There is a [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] ship classified as {{Class|Marathon|Cruiser}}.
* There are clear parallels between the Hunters from the ''Marathon'' franchise and the Hunters from the ''Halo'' franchise, especially the Hunters that appear in ''Marathon 2: Durandal'' and ''Infinity''. The Hunters from ''Marathon'' shoot rapid fire green energy blasts from a weapon attached to their shoulder, feature a shield attached to both arms rather than just one, and after ''Durandal'' feature spikes on their back that resemble the ones on the back of ''Halo'''s Hunters.
* The [[Sharquoi]] were internally referred to as Drinols during ''Halo 2'''s development before they were cut from the game. The name Drinniol was associated with the Hulk enemies from the first ''Marathon'' game. There are slight resemblances between early renders of the Sharquoi from ''Halo: CE'' and the Hulk from ''Marathon'', but the ''Halo 2'' concept art depictions of the Sharquoi look nearly identical to the Hulks from ''Marathon''.
* [[Bastion]], a [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]], was managed by three [[ancilla]]s, just as the UESC ''Marathon'' was managed by three AIs in the first game.

==''Halo: Combat Evolved''==
{{Main|Halo: Combat Evolved}}
*The [[campaign]] begins with John-117 awakening from cryo-sleep much like the beginning of ''Marathon 2: Durandal'', where the protagonist woke up after cryo-sleep.
*[[Carol Rawley]], [[call sign]] "Foehammer" is named after a level in ''Marathon: Infinity'' called "''Foe Hammer''".
*''Marathon 2: Durandal'' has a level named "''If I Had a Rocket Launcher, I'd Make Somebody Pay,''" ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' has a chapter called "''If I Had a Super Weapon...''" in the [[campaign]] level ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]''.
*On the back part of the ''Halo'' rocket launcher it says "SPNKR" which is a reference to the rocket launcher in ''Marathon'', the "SPNKR X-18 SSM Launcher".
*The [[UNSC Marine Corps Battle Dress Uniform|boots and chest plates]] worn by the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] were inspired by the ones worn by ''Marathon''s protagonist.
*The Covenant light markers seen in the campaign levels ''[[The Truth and Reconciliation]]'' and ''[[Two Betrayals]]'' bear a resemblance to Pfhor staffs.
*The [[Bumblebee escape pod|Bumblebee]] [[pilot]] who appears in the ending [[cutscene]] of the level ''[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]'' and the beginning cutscene of the level ''[[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo]]'' wears a helmet similar to that of ''Marathon''{{'}}s protagonist.
*Sometimes Grunts or UNSC Marines will shout "They're everywhere!", similar to [[marathongame:BOB|the BOBs]] of ''Marathon''.
*After killing a [[Flood]] [[Flood combat form|combat form]], [[Private First Class|PFC]] [[Chips Dubbo]] on the campaign level ''[[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]]'' may say "Oh God, I recognized that one. That was Bob!" in reference to Marathon's Born on Boards (BOBs).
*In the game's tags, Master Chief is referenced as "Cyborg".
*[[Alex Seropian]] once stated in the April 2002 issue of ''Xbox Nation'' magazine that the main character of ''Marathon'' was the first incarnation of Master Chief. He also said Cortana was linked to the storyline of the AIs from ''Marathon'', though she did not appear herself in the franchise. Afterward [[Matt Soell]] discussed the subject with Seropian, who clarified that he did not know the current canon of ''Halo'' (having already left the company).<ref>[http://marathon.bungie.org/story/newmar-apr02.html '''Marathon.bungie.org''': ''Marathon's Story... What's New'']</ref>

===Marathon symbols===
[[File:Marathoncontrolroom.jpg|thumb|The Marathon-shaped Control Room as seen in Assault on the Control Room/Two Betrayals.]]
[[File:PoA marathon logo.png|thumb|The Pillar of Autumn with the Marathon symbol seen in the gray circle.]]
*The symbol of the game has the ''Marathon'' symbol between the "a" and the "l" of the word ''Halo''.  The symbol appears in roughly the same place in relation to the word "Halo" on the front cover and spine of several books published by Tor Books including ''Ghosts of Onyx'', ''Contact Harvest'', ''The Cole Protocol'', and ''Halo: Evolutions''. More recent reprints of these books however have not included the symbol.
*When selecting a difficulty in campaign mode, the ''Marathon'' symbol is visible on the shield.
*If one brightens the gamma significantly on ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|''Halo: Combat Evolved'' for PC]]'', one can see what looks like the ''Marathon'' symbol etched in the background of the first loading screen.
*The ''Marathon'' symbol can be seen on both sides of the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}.
*[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Jacob Keyes]] has the ship's emblem of the ''Pillar of Autumn'' on his uniform, which is the ''Marathon'' symbol.
*Captain Keyes' [[:File:Pipe.jpg|pipe]] also has the ''Marathon'' symbol on it.
*The ''Marathon'' symbol can be seen on the [[M12 Force Application Vehicle|Warthog]]'s dashboard panel.
*The main chamber of [[Installation 04|Alpha Halo]]'s [[Control Room]], when viewed from the top, is shaped like the ''Marathon'' symbol.
*[[343 Guilty Spark]] has the ''Marathon symbol'' on his eye in the first and third game.
*The center of the island that houses the [[Cartographer]] is shaped like the ''Marathon'' symbol.
*The ''Marathon'' symbol is on the front of the [[Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit|Spirit]]'s cockpit.
*The ''Marathon'' symbol is visible on the orange part of the [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|Plasma Grenade]].
*When viewing the map Infinity from above (or the topographical map in the MCC loading screen), one can see the "infinity" shape is comprised of two ''Marathon'' symbols. The name of the map itself adding to the reference.

==''Halo 2''==
{{Main|Halo 2}}
*The opening cinematic of the level [[Cairo Station]], [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]] mentions the "United Earth Space Corps," ''Marathon'' features the Unified Earth Space Council, and both of them share the UESC acronym.
*The [[Sangheili|Elite]] [[Great Schism|rebellion]] against the Covenant parallels similar events in the ''Marathon'' series. In ''Marathon'', Durandal convinced a group of S'pht to rise up against the Pfhor who enslaved them; and after Durandal's disappearance in ''Marathon 2'', the rebel S'pht found themselves stranded together with a group of [[humans]] on a hostile world (similar to the Elites' predicament on [[Installation 05|Delta Halo]]).
*The player's main goal in ''Halo 2'' is to stop the Covenant from inadvertently destroying all life in the galaxy with the Halo installations; in ''Marathon Infinity'', it was to prevent the Pfhor from inadvertently releasing a galaxy-destroying chaos being.
*There is a chapter in campaign level ''The Great Journey'' named "''Delusions and Grandeur''". ''Marathon Infinity'' has a network level named "''Delusions of Grandeur''".
*The [[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack|soundtrack]] [[Mausoleum Suite]] was based off of the Marathon 2: Durandal theme song.
*Sometimes Marines say "Thank God it's you!", which is what the [[marathongame:Simulacrums|Simulacrum BOBs]] say in ''Marathon''.
*Some Marines can be heard saying "Eat it, boy!", possibly referring to the ''Marathon 2'' level named "''Eat it, Vid Boy!''"
*The [[multiplayer]] map ''[[Foundation]]'' is based on the ''Marathon'' "Thunderdome" level.
*The multiplayer map ''[[Gemini]]'' is based on the ''Marathon'' level ''Duality''. This is supported by the map's description, mentioning the "''ancient duality of the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]...''"

===Marathon symbols===
*Once again, the difficulty shields have the ''Marathon'' symbol.
*The ''Marathon'' symbol can be applied as a 'decal' to the [[multiplayer emblems]] or [[flag]].
*The ''Marathon'' symbol can be seen on various [[doors]] located in campaign levels and multiplayer maps that take place on [[Installation 05|Delta Halo]].
*The [[Forerunner]] [[Enforcers]]' shields make up a ''Marathon'' symbol.
*A ''Marathon'' symbol can be seen on the [[M90 Close Assault Weapon System|M90 Shotgun]]'s silver casing.
*The [[Oddball]] [[skull]] has the ''Marathon'' symbol in its eye socket.
*If one gets outside the multiplayer map ''[[Burial Mounds]]'', the rubble by the "ribs" has a large piece of debris engraved with the Marathon symbol.
*On the multiplayer map ''[[Midship]]'', the ''Marathon'' symbol can be seen on [[Africa]] (best viewed with scope).
*On multiplayer map ''[[Headlong]]'', in the building which houses mostly [[human]] weapons, if one looks at the second floor from above it resembles the ''Marathon'' symbol.
*When the multiplayer map ''[[Ivory Tower]]'' is viewed from above, the circular courtyard and water channel make a ''Marathon'' symbol.
*When the ''Halo 2'' saved games are viewed in File Explorer, they have the ''Marathon'' symbol over the basic file icon.
*When opening the "About Sapien" window in the Sapien world editor, a ''Marathon'' symbol with a nerd's head can be seen.
**This seems to be only found in the [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]] version of the [[Halo 2 Mod Tools]] and is also the only version of Sapien throughout the MCC's mod tools that uses the Marathon symbol in the "About Sapien" window, the rest using an image of [[343 Guilty Spark]].

==''Halo 3''==
{{Main|Halo 3}}
*The story begins with John-117 awakening from a massive battle in an enemy space station, in the presence of his allies, near a water treatment plant. This mirrors the beginning ''Marathon 2: Durandal'' where the Protagonist awakens from a massive battle on an enemy planet to continue fighting with his allies in the Waterloo Treatment Plant.
*The [[Arrival|first level]] shares its name with the first level of ''Marathon''. 
*The way the Brute holds [[Gunnery Sergeant]] [[Reynolds]]  captive on ''[[Sierra 117]]'' is possibly a reference to the L'howon chapter screen.
*The personnel in [[Crow's Nest (location)|Crow's Nest]] wear uniforms like those of the BOBs from Marathon.
*On the last cutscene of the level ''[[Floodgate]]'', when the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] is bringing human weapons, a [[M7057/Defoliant Projector|Flamethrower]] and a [[Rocket Launcher]] are held in the same position as the Cyborg's picture from ''Marathon Infinity''.
*A fictional company, [[Traxus Heavy Industries]] is introduced. Traxus IV was the name of a famous [[Rampancy|rampant]] AI in the ''Marathon'' universe. Additionally, in the level ''[[The Storm]]'', "Traxus IV" can be seen etched on the glass panels in the warehouses.
*The [[Jiralhanae|Brute]] [[Type-52 Pistol|Mauler]] was probably based on the shotgun from ''Marathon'', which was also dual-wieldable.
*Marines sometimes say "Thank God you're here!" (see Halo: CE section).
*Grunts scream "He's/they're everywhere!" (see Halo 2 section).
*Flood Combat Forms occasionally say "Melancholia, anger..." as a reference to the three stages of [[Rampancy]], a reference to the error with AI in ''Marathon''.
*The three stages of rampancy are again referenced by in one of Cortana's messages, in a quote lifted straight out of the Cortana letters: "There will be no more sadness, no more anger, no more envy!" 
*The design of the golden [[Holography|hologram]] on [[Epitaph]] was inspired by the S'pht Compilers from ''Marathon 2: Durandal''.
*The level editor in ''Marathon: Infinity'' is called Forge. ''Halo 3'' shares that name of its [[Forge|map editor]].
*There is an achievement for accessing all the [[Terminal (Halo 3)|Terminals]] in the campaign, called "[[Marathon Man]]".
*On July the Fourth, the phrase "''B-B-Q at BOB's Place!''" which can be seen on the Forerunner wall of ''[[Valhalla]]'' which is a reference to the ''Marathon'' level "Bob-B-Q".

===Marathon symbols===
[[File:H3-343GuiltySpark.png|thumb|250px|343 Guilty Spark's "eye".]]
*Just like the previous two games, the campaign difficulty shields have ''Marathon'' symbols on them.
*Just like in ''Halo 2'',  players can use the ''Marathon'' symbol as his/her multiplayer emblem.
*In the settings menu, the picture of the Spartan has the ''Marathon'' symbol on its shoulder when it is highlighted.
*On the [[SPARTAN Program|Spartan]] Insignia, there is a gold ''Marathon'' symbol.
*The ''Marathon'' symbol appears on the sides of all of the Covenant {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s.
*There is a distorted ''Marathon'' symbol on the table of the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]''{{'}}s [[bridge]].
*The elevators on ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]'' and ''[[The Ark]]'' have the ''Marathon'' symbol on their control panels.
*Just like in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the Control Room of [[Installation 08]] resembles the ''Marathon'' symbol.
*Weapons are often decaled with ''Marathon'' symbols.
**The [[MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System|MA5C Assault rifle]] has a ''Marathon'' symbol on its butt plate. This is already confirmed by Kevin Paul when the MA5C Assault rifle appeared in the [[Halo 3 Announcement Trailer]]<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=749352 '''HBO Forums''': ''Re: someone convince me'']</ref>
**The [[BR55HB SR Battle Rifle]] has the ''Marathon'' symbol on its optical sight.
**The [[M6G]] has the ''Marathon'' symbol on the grip near the back.
**The Brute Mauler has the ''Marathon'' symbol on its hilt over where the character holds the weapon. One may need to look down in light to see it properly.
*Forerunner [[monitor]]s, including the [[Unidentified ancilla (Installation 05)|one located on the ceiling]] of the multiplayer map ''[[Cold Storage]]'', have the ''Marathon'' symbol on their eyes.
*The [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/M variant|Security]] Helmet in multiplayer resembles the helmet that the main character of ''Marathon'' (a security officer) wears. It also has a ''Marathon'' symbol on its forehead.
*The [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI/R variant|Recon]] helmet in multiplayer has ''Marathon'' symbols on its sides.
*The yellow hologram on the multiplayer map ''Epitaph'' has a ''Marathon'' symbol on the circular part.
*On the multiplayer map ''[[Snowbound]]'', the ''Marathon'' symbol can be seen imprinted on the planet in the sky.
*The center of the multiplayer map ''[[Guardian (map)|Guardian]]'' is, when viewed from above, similar to the ''Marathon'' symbol.
*On the multiplayer map ''[[Heretic]]'', ''Marathon'' symbols reflect off the surfaces of the interior walls. They are also visible on the side-of-the-room walls' shield.
*The [[body bag]], a [[:Category:Deleted material|deleted material]], has the ''Marathon'' symbol imprinted on it.

==''Halo 3: ODST''==
{{Main|Halo 3: ODST}}
[[File:Halo 3 ODST Marathon.png|thumb|200px|''Marathon'' promo art hidden in ''Halo 3: ODST''.]]
*The avatar used to represent the Pfhor from ''Marathon'' was added to the list of emblems (under the name as the AI Tycho). It is also the second emblem to be added to ''Halo'' with affiliation to ''Marathon''.

===Marathon symbol===
*Around the game, scraps of paper refuse can be found bearing a painting by Craig Mullins used as promotional art for ''Marathon''.
*The difficulty shields, yet again, have the ''Marathon'' symbol imprinted on them. ''Halo 3: ODST'' is the last ''Halo'' game by Bungie to have the ''Marathon'' symbol-imprinted difficulty shields.
*At the very start of [[Uplift Reserve]], the ''Marathon'' symbol can be found.
*In the HUD Menu, the ''Marathon'' symbol is behind the Triad symbol.
*Before entering the elevator in the campaign level ''[[Coastal Highway]]'', if one jumps above the circular structure near the door, it has the shape of the ''Marathon'' symbol.
*The ''Marathon'' symbol is visible on [[Veronica Dare]], [[Avery Johnson]], and the [[Rookie]]'s backpack.

==''Halo Legends''==
{{Main|Halo Legends}}
===The Babysitter===
{{Main|The Babysitter}}
A ''Marathon'' symbol is seen on a rock when the whole waterfall is visible, as well as inside the waterfall at the base.

==''Halo: Reach''==
{{Main|Halo: Reach}}
[[File:HR Wraith Marathon symbol.png|thumb|200px|The symbol found on the Wraith's gunner seat.]]
[[File:HR UNSCArmy Concept.jpg|thumb|200px|The symbol in gold, on the right-most Spartan. (Click to enlarge)]]
Bungie avoided the use of the ''Marathon'' symbol in ''Halo: Reach'', presumably due to property rights issues with [[Microsoft]]. The symbol has been removed from the emblem gallery, the [[:Category:Difficulties|difficulty]] icon shields, the hull of the ''Pillar of Autumn'' and replaced with the [[Seventh Column]] on Captain Keyes' [[Hellomyname Keyes|ID patch]]. The symbol in the eye of the Forge Monitor has also been changed.
*At the end of the level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]'', [[ATC 1]] shouts, "They're everywhere!" This is an iconic line of the BOBs in the original ''Marathon''.
*On rare occasions, enemy NPCs known as "[[BOB]]s" may be encountered by the player. This name is a reference to the BOBs of the ''Marathon'' series, humans who were born onboard the titular colony ship.
*A symbol that resembles the ''Marathon'' symbol can be found on the seat of the Wraith's [[Pek-pattern plasma cannon|plasma cannon turret]].
*While not appearing fully in the actual game itself, the whole symbol can still be seen in early concept art owned by Microsoft. In a scene depicting UNSC forces on the move, the golden decal is located on the rightmost Spartan on his/her upper left chest plate.

=='' Halo: Evolutions''==
{{main|Halo: Evolutions}}
In the short story "[[Human Weakness]]" written by [[Karen Traviss]], we see a new perspective on Cortana's interrogation and imprisonment by the Gravemind. This story makes the reference to the three stages of rampancy in the dialogue from ''Halo 3'' much more explicit and seemingly canonizes the concept of three progressive stages to rampancy within the ''Halo'' universe for the very first time.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', ''page 391''</ref>

==''Halo: Glasslands''==
{{Main|Halo: Glasslands}}
Some Sangheili believe that "Demons" are actually corpses reanimated through artificial means to continue fighting as supersoldiers. This is reminiscent of the [[marathongame:Battleroid|battleroids]] from the ''Marathon'' trilogy, who are built from the bodies of dead soldiers to serve as physically and technologically augmented supersoldiers. The [[marathongame:Mjolnir Recon number 54|player character]] is possibly a [[marathongame:Mjolnir Mark IV Cyborg|Mjolnir Mark IV battleroid]].

==''Halo 4''==
[[File:H5G_guide_-_Watcher.png|thumb|200px|The symbol found on the Promethean Watcher's midsection.]]
*The Reclaimer symbol has been visually retconned, though it still clearly resembles the ''Marathon'' symbol.
*In the opening cinematic of the ''[[Spartan Ops]]'' episode [[S1/Invasion|''Invasion'']], a Marine yells "They're everywhere!" (see previous Halo sections).
*The original ''Marathon'' symbol is seen on holographic panels in the final [[Spartan Ops]] chapter of [[S1/Key/The Hammer|Key]].
*The midsection of a [[Promethean Watcher]] has a symbol closely resembling the original ''Marathon'' symbol.

==''Halo 5: Guardians''==
* Once again, the Promethean Watcher have the ''Marathon'' symbol at its midsection.

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="150">
File:Maramenu.jpg|The start menu of ''[[Marathon|Marathon 2]]''.
File:Pipe.jpg|The symbol at the end of Keyes's pipe.
File:Halo - Combat Evolved Logo Huge.png|In between the 'A' and the 'L' in the ''Halo'' symbol is the ''Marathon'' symbol.
File:PoA logo.png|The emblem of the ''Pillar of Autumn'' bears the symbol.
File:Control Room2.jpg|Installation 04's Control Room is in the shape of the symbol.
File:Halo 3 - Easy Symbol.png|The [[Easy]] difficulty shield where you can clearly see the ''Marathon'' symbol.
File:Armarathonlogo.jpg|High-res screenshot of Master Chief's gun from the ''Halo 3'' AnnouncementTrailer
File:Marathon_on_AR.JPG|The symbol 
File:Symbols_on_BR.JPG|The ''Marathon'' symbol
File:Marathon symbol on 99D-S2 AM.jpg|''Marathon'' symbol on a [[Sniper Rifle System 99D-S2 AM|sniper rifle]], from ''[[Enemy Weapon]]'' video.
File:Marathon Logo (Covenant ship).jpg|''Marathon'' symbol on the side of the ''Ket''-pattern battlecruiser on ''Tsavo Highway'' and ''Crow's Nest''.
File:Babysittermarathon.jpg|The ''Marathon'' symbol in [[The Babysitter]].
File:H2MCCTools AboutSapien.png|The ''Marathon'' symbol with the nerd's head seen in Halo 2 MCC's Sapien world editor.
</gallery>

== Sources ==
{{Ref/Sources}}

==Related links==
*[[Seven|List of "seven" references in the ''Halo'' series]]
*[[List of references to religion in the Halo series|List of references to religion in the ''Halo'' series]]
[[Category:Lists|Marathon references in Halo]]
[[Category:Easter eggs]]

{{Halo References}}