Allegiance is a unique computer game, with a mix of real-time strategy and space combat , developed by Microsoft (specifically, Microsoft Research ). Allegiance is online-only and is heavily team-oriented. Players can fly a variety of craft, striving to destroy enemy team installations while simultaneously protecting their own, as well as collecting resources to research technology and newer & better ships.
It was developed as an experiment by a development of programmers who had never worked in game design before. Allegiance was released in March of 2000, after an extended beta test period.
Despite its exhilarating fast-paced teamwork-oriented gameplay and sharp 3d graphics, the game, while a cult hit with many and a receiver of widespread positivism from game reviewers, never achieved commercial success (perhaps partly due to its reliance on Microsoft's less-than-reliable Microsoft Gaming Zone ).
Since the official servers closed in 2002, the Allegiance community has been tireless in attempts to make the game free for all to play, and have succeeded - the game client is downloadable, along with files to allow players to connect to non-Zone hosted servers.
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. Considering the substantial inroads made by the Allegiance community without the source code, no less than a flood of Allegiance modifications (mods) and adaptations are expected.
See also: List of computer and video games by name
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