…That's the name, from our ever-expanding family dictionary for an extended gaming session (derived from "mara~"), chosen for a long-time idea I've had for a massively-multiplayer online running videogame that's earned some accolade and attention lately, due perhaps in desperation for a life's work with meaning, an end to indentured servitude, but mostly because the same ol' SOCOM3 weekends have gotten boring to us.

My original concept was not so control-oriented (as with my lightgun FPS, which, lo and behold, Nintendo's Revolution is all about), but from fanciful images of a third-person footrace contestant who must brave the challenges of a sprawling, diverse urban environment, e.g., packs of un-neutered dogs, color-sensitive gang-bangers, traffic jams of Segways, to achieve the deceptively simple goal of reaching the finish line on the other side of town. Needless to say much of my inspiration comes from the Grand Theft Auto series and Manhunt as from my own runs—which, however uneventful thus far, I still choose to make on streets for the opportunity at observation and imagination over laps around a static track—but with none of the associated, played-out violence. Well, at least none that the player commits.

Working out the kinks—er, details—that's where it gets tricky. I had first thought to make it as basic as possible an interface, whereby pushing forward on the controller would propel you, and the difficulty would lie in all the obstacles. But then what difference would there be between running and driving, or flying? (Answer me that, Quake fans.) Button-mashing was an option, but even GTA accounted for fatigue; the answer might be in DDR-like step-by-step movement. With less emphasis upon rhythm than alternating left-and-right presses, the speed of which would be determined by the situation, or the remaining strength in your legs.

Of course, enough has to be left for the fingers to control direction and camera angle, as well as both arms, for stiff-arming attackers, knocking over trashcans in an alley, swiping a drink from a food court patron or otherwise interacting with the environment. As you can see, this is no-holds-barred "free" running, in and out of buildings, be they malls (shades of State of Emergency) or private-home porn-shoots, whatever's in the way. And unlike Katamari, the more pursuers you snowball along your journey, the worse your injuries when you run out of steam and are beset upon.

Porn-shoots? Now might be as good a time as any to stop, and do something about preparing for court tomorrow.