Allegiance is an MMOG providing a mix of real-time strategy and player piloted space combat.
Initially developed by Microsoft Research, the game was later released under a
shared source license and is now maintained/developed by volunteers. Gameplay relies
heavily on good teamwork and forward thinking. Players can fly a variety of craft, striving to destroy enemy team installations
and protecting their own. Resource collection figures significantly in the game, since new technology can be expensive and money
is usually scarce.
It was developed as an experiment by a team of programmers who had never worked in game design before. Allegiance was released
in March of 2000 , after an extended beta test period. Allegiance is based on
Alto Trek (1972), which was also written by Rick Rashid.
Despite its exhilarating fast-paced teamwork-oriented gameplay and sharp 3D graphics, the game never achieved commercial
success (perhaps partly due to its reliance on Microsoft's less-than-reliable Microsoft Zone,
the lack of advertising or both). It did manage to build a dedicated following, who have stayed with the game and continued its
development despite multiple setbacks (Microsoft pulling support, player cheating, etc)
Due to the lack of commercial success, the official servers closed in 2002 . As a consequence of this, the original retail
version of the game is largely unfunctional. However, the Allegiance community has been tireless and largely successful in its
attempts to make the game free for all to play. The updated version of the game client is downloadable for free from the FreeAllegiance.org web site and many servers are
currently hosted by members of the community.
Allegiance received GameSpot's Best Game No One Played award in 2000.
In February, 2004, Allegiance's original development team released the source code for Allegiance, signaling yet another chapter in Allegiance's unique history. Developers have
since released two minor updates to the game engine, with the first major one coming in a few weeks, while enthusists
develop/refine new mods for gameplay.
Gameplay
The biggest drawcard for Allegiance is its capacity to field 100 players a side. Players can choose between piloting
individual fighter, bombers, stealth and scout craft. Players can also choose to fly massive capital ships from carriers to
dreadnoughts and missile frigates, all sporting multiple turrets. Several players can man each capital ship, including turret
positions.
Games are normally two team matches, though it is common for Deathmatch games to be multi-team affairs. Play starts when a
team commander has been chosen or has stepped up, and a team has signed-up. These type of games are called 'pick-up' games due to
their 'pick-up and play' nature. An effort is sometimes made to keep the teams even in skill, when a team is vastly more skilled
than the opposing side the overskilled team is said to be 'stacked'.
To avoid this, the players can have a 'picked' game, as opposed to a 'pick-up' game. A third team is created as a picking
pool, where the commanders then choose players based on skill level. This tries to create an even balance of skills, but
unfortunately whether due to bad picking through unfamiliarity with the better players or the skilled players waiting in the
lobby to 'stack' the team after play has begun, these games sometimes become unbalanced as well.
Settings for the match, for example the map, the money settings and number of teams can be assigned, after which the game
proper starts.
Gameplay consists of regular RTS strategies with the major difference that each
individual unit is a player. Each team gathers resources using miners and builds bases in different sectors. Reconnaissance is
followed by expansion for more resources to fuel the war machine and then either a decisive showdown or a long, drawn out
stalemate.
Strategies are as numerous as any other online game, most based around the technology offered by the three different
'techbases', the main garrison and various special buildings associated with some certain factions.
Supremacy, where technologies for bombers, fighters, and upgrades (maneuverability, sensor range, missile damage, etc.) are
researched allowing for a balanced offense and defense.
Tactical, home of technology designed to ruin enemy infrastructure (the ability to destroy miners and base constructors) and
perform sneak attacks using stealth fighters and bombers.
Expansion, for technology used primarily for defense (interceptors), but includes infrastructure upgrades and troop transports
used in capturing bases.
Each of these buildings can only be built on certain types of asteroids which are fairly limited, which inevitably leads to
combat to both secure the asteroids and denying the enemy use of them.
The game itself is arguably quite difficult to learn and appreciate unless a considerable investment of time is made, which
turns away many potential players and keeps the community small, with roughly 350-400 active players.
Factions
The following nine factions are featured in the Dark Nebulae (DN) core, version 4.45 alpha. DN is currently the most popular Allegiance core, with 10-40+ players
online at any given time.
Each faction's fighter-class ship is depicted below.
Iron Coalition
Order. Strength. Unity - This is the creed of the Iron Coalition. Formed as a space borne United Nations peacekeeping
force, the Earth's destruction has transformed the Iron Coalition into one of the dominant powers in space. Led by Brigadier
General Derek Fisk, the Iron Coalition Struggles to restore and maintain order to the remaining members of the human race - by
any means necessary.
The Iron Coalition was also one of the three original factions created by Microsoft.
The Iron Coalition features a weak economy with few frills, but very strong ships (they carry extra ammo, fuel and energy, and
do more damage per shot than most other factions). The Iron Coalition Heavy Interceptor is considered by some to be the best
dogfighting ship in the game. Iron Coalition is considered to be a basic faction, though it does have some unique qualities. For
instance, IC commanders need not spend money researching tech-path specific ships. As soon as a tech base is built or upgraded,
the ship is available. Additionally, IC miners can ripcord which makes defending them slightly easier, and all IC bases are
invincible against the galvonic blaster (a special weapon that can destroy small bases).
GigaCorp
Founded by the enigmatic Emmet Longstreet, this massive corporate entity has managed to survive the destruction of Earth.
Led by Mercedes Kelleher - a cunning and ruthless businesswoman - GigaCorp has one goal: total domination of humanity's
remnants.
Gigacorp was one of the three original factions created by Microsoft.
GigaCorp has the strongest economy of all the factions, but starts with very weak ships. Even when better ships are
researched, they tend to be more fragile than those of other factions, unless the commander forks out 500 credits for the
purchase of 'Luxury' ships. These Luxury ships are significantly better than the base model, for example Lxy Fighters carry an
extra gun, Lxy Interceptors can ripcord (which makes them extremely versatile) and Lxy Stealth Fighters can cloak indefinitely as
well as carry an extra missile. Gigacorp ships are also faster than the other factions besides Belters and Dreghklar. Bases are
less expensive to build, but small bases are very vulnerable and can be damaged by small arms fire. GigaCorp can supplement its
already strong economy by building special mines, which provide income every minute.
BIOS
Originally spawned by Gigacorp genetic engineering projects, the BIOS are physically and mentally advanced, perfectly
designed to withstand the rigors of life in space. After the death of their leader - GigaCorp founder Emmet Longstreet - the BIOS
have launched a shadowy crusade against "stalegene" humanity, with the goal of dragging the human race into an evolutionary
watershed.
Bios were one of the three original factions created by Microsoft.
BIOS ships are stealthy and have excellent sensors, making them very difficult to attack and hard to defend against. Their
tech bases are already upgraded once they're built, and research costs half that of other factions. The catch is that research
takes 10 minutes per item. BIOS teams tend to take a beating early in the game, but they are very dangerous once time passes and
researched items become available. It is not unknown for a BIOS team to be cornered into a single sector, and then fight its way
back. Commanding BIOS is considered a test of patience and timing.
Belters
The Belters - a loose collection of independent traders, prospectors, pirates, and privateers - share a common belief: that
freedom from tyranny is the right of all humanity. Belters are a rough-hewn, unruly bunch of borderline anarchists. Led by
unlikely hero Orion Sholes, the Belters pilot an odd mix of captured and jury-rigged equipment: the "Junkyard Armada.
Belters were one of the bonus factions created by Microsoft, supposedly named after an old squad called 'The Belters' (later
renamed to Jihaad and then Shifters).
Belter bases are strong and inexpensive, and while their miners are slow, they can squeeze more money out of a sector than
most other factions. Their research is slower than other factions, and many items cost more to research, besides ship types.
Their ships are like flying bricks, and many ships can't mount shields. They have better armor and ship mass than other factions
(which makes ramming a favourite pastime of Belter pilots), but their real strength lies in their versatility. With some
exceptions, all Belter ships can mount equipment normally reserved for a specific type of ship (ex. fighters can mount equipment
normally reserved for interceptors). They also retain most of the items they've researched, even if the base providing those
items is destroyed. Technology that is stolen or found can immediately be put to use, where other factions can only use
captured/found technology after meeting certain prerequisites.
Rixian Unity
First contact with life outside the solar system -- with the Rixian Unity. So far, the Rixian have proven themselves
superior scientists, explorers, and, as has now been made clear to mankind, crusaders. They are led by Issa Rix, a being so
revered among his people that his very name stands for all Rixians. Little is truly known about this species, certainly not their
true goals or intentions.
Rixian Unity were one of the bonus factions created by Microsoft.
The Rixians have no missiles, but mount powerful guns with improved damage and range and can use deployable "combat pods" that
function as mini-turrets. They also have increased mobility, as their scouts can mount teleport receivers that allow teammates to
quickly move across the map. Scientifically advanced, Rixian technology is researched in seconds and costs the same as most other
factions. Their ships have excellent yaw and roll, but poor pitch rates. Rixian economy and base quality lacks any notable
features, and is generally on par with most other factions.
Dreghklar Empire
The Dreghklar Empire - the beast of the Apocalypse. This race may be responsible for the destruction of Earth, after
tampering with the already poor coordination of the Mass Conveyor System, believing that humanity was lost without its home. For
hundreds of years, they have traveled and been a plague to intelligent life.
Dreghklar Empire is a player (Vegeta and Noir) created faction.
The Dreg have a decent economy, but are saddled with increased research and base construction costs. Even with the increased
expense, Dreg ships and bases are more fragile than other factions. As their weapon technology is similar to those of other
factions, the Dreg's real power is their incredible speed and fast research time. Dreg ships can quickly zip across a sector to
meet a threat (or be a threat), and their utility craft can easily outrun attackers who do not conserve fuel. They can supplement
their income by building mines on depleted Helium-3 asteroids. These mines generate income
every minute, but are expensive to research and build.
Technoflux
Technoflux - AI at its best. Originally created by the Iron Coalition to strike at no cost of men, the Technoflux project
was abandoned when risks were judged too high and the public opinion was opposed. Unfortunately, the project managed to survive
in remote research areas and eventually attacked any and all factions it encountered, including the Iron Coalition. They pursue
no goal. They seek no vengeance. They simply obey their programming. Whether a third party managed to take control of them is not
known.
Technoflux is a player (Vegeta) created faction.
Technoflux ships have no missiles and begin with weak guns. They also have a weak starting position, very slow research time
and an economy that takes a lot of planning to run properly. While their small ships are harder to hit, they are much slower than
the ships of other factions. Like the BIOS, Technoflux's real power becomes apparent as researched items become available. Their
advanced ships and weapons are much more powerful than those of other factions. If allowed to live long enough, Technoflux teams
usually surpass their opponents and dominate them, unless the other faction has even stronger end-game technology.
Ga'Taraan Federation
The Ga'Taraan Federation - Founded twenty years ago by the uprising of two science colonies under the iron fist command of
the Iron Coalition, the Ga'Taraan Federation remained isolated from the war that ensued after the destruction of Earth.
Developing different technologies, they felt their involvement was necessary, and recently began assaults in the Solar
System.
Ga'Taraan Federation is a player (Orion) created faction.
GT, being descended from science colonies have a very powerful economy and ships. Their research costs less than any other
faction besides BIOS and Technoflux, however their mining speed is pathethic but each individual miner is an absolute tank
because of GT's naturally stronger hull and shields. Enhanced GT miners are generally seen as 'indestructible' unless attacked
with great co-ordiantion and numbers.
In order to access high-level technology, Ga'Taraan commanders must first build an expensive Palisade base that offers few
additional benefits. Despite these weaknesses, Ga'Taraan teams start with strong, extra durable ships that only get better as the
game progresses. Persistent commanders can also access exotic technologies such as lasers, rescue drones, salvo rockets and the
doomsday resonator, a non-tracking missile fired into alephs (the mode of inter-sector transport in the game) that can destroy
everything on both sides of the aleph.
Phoenix Order
The Phoenix Order is made up of Apocalypse survivors from deep underground at Area 51 and various shadow governments. They
blame Earth’s destruction on the greed and selfishness of the other “Spacer” factions. For years, hidden under the deadly debris
clouds that cover the planet, they have been collecting left over military hardware and modified it with previously captured
alien technology. While they still use Earth as a primary base of operations, the Moon has become one of their first lines of
defense.
Phoenix Order is a player (Noir) created faction that is unique to the Dark Nebulae (DN) core.
Phoenix ships are very thin and have excellent pitch and roll, but normal yaw rates. Combat ships have very strong shields and
can mount extra missiles, which track better than most factions but do slightly less damage. However, they are very vulnerable to
anti-shield weaponry, and player-controlled ships (i.e. not miners and constructors) can not be repaired in the field. They have
access to many exotic and powerful weapons, like laser turrets and vulcan cannons. These items are very expensive to research,
however. Luckily the Transceiver base that houses these technologies is as strong as a normal technology base, requiring quite a
dedicated bomb run to destroy it. The Phoenix economy is very strong, with faster mining speeds and greater yield (each miner
load brings in a bonus payout), to compensate for the expenses need to access the exotic technologies.
Free Allegiance Zone (FAZ)
The Free Allegiance Zone is the name of the community code project. After Microsoft
released the source code it was discovered that the released source was not the source for
the client and server software currently in use. The FAZ project's initial aim is to create working client and server software
from the source code. From this base it will be possible to enact gameplay changes and upgrade the netcode that Allegiance uses
to DirectPlay 8 and remove some major bugs.
FAZ will also allow many more players to play Allegiance, particularly those restricted by the ports they can have open on
their routers (this port access is blocked in many universities and colleges). Increasing the player base is a major aim of the
FAZ team.
The first release (FAZ R1) of FAZ was completed on March 1, 2006, however the first release was deigned to simply be as similar to the last release from Microsoft rather than fixing bugs. The FAZ releases are faster than the original because of the more advanced
development environments used to produce them.
The second release (FAZ R2) of FAZ has been released on August 1, 2006. It did add ranks back into the game, like during the old Microsoft
Allegiance Zone and some other game relevant changes.
The third release (FAZ R3) of FAZ went gold on December 14, 2006 and is the current release. It ports the code to Visual C++ 2005 (VC8), adds DirectPlay8 calls to allow
players to connect through NAT boundaries (that is, manually configuring routers to allow gameplay is no longer required),
upgrades the sound engine to DirectSound8, and adds an automatic balancing feature based on the ranking system. Besides
considerable bugfixes, the release also adds support for hi-resolution textures and a new help system.
Squads, Programs and Titles
The administration offer various programs and has a squad program for the game community to participate in.
Squads
Squads are roughly analogous to clans in other online games. These groups of
players participate in organized squad games where they compete against opposing squads. Squadies can be identified by tags
appended after their callsign (@XYZ, where XYZ represent a specific squad). Squaded players are generally seen as being more
experienced and skilled than the tag-less players (aka Mercenaries / Mercs).
Cadet
Allegiance also holds a Cadet Program, where its members are identified by the tag @CDT-X (where X is either A or B). In the
Cadet program, new players are taught the game, but old players needing a refreshing course can also participate. Graduation is
often followed by squad recruitment.
Cadet will undergo a major revamping later this year to better suit the needs of individuals, and will be split in a basic and
advanced course.
Allegiance Command School
This nine week course is aimed at experienced pilots who want to learn more about commanding. It is currently being overseen
by Clay_Pigeon, with instruction provided by several experienced Allegiance commanders. After a multi-month sabbatical and a
complete rewrite, the program has resumed instruction.
See also
External links
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