Allegiance

About

Allegiance lets players pilot starships in fast-paced space battles while managing base defenses and resource upgrades. You switch between flying sleek fighters or commanding heavy capital ships in real time, firing weapons and coordinating tactics with teammates. The game blends direct combat with base-building elements, letting you expand stations and customize tech between matches. All actions happen across a shared persistent galaxy map where player interactions shape the battlefield. Released in 2000 by Microsoft Research, the game gained a dedicated following for its deep ship customization and large-scale multiplayer modes supporting hundreds of players. Its open Linux port and focus on community-driven servers kept it active for years beyond launch. Players often cite the dual control scheme as a standout feature, letting one person handle flight while another manages turrets or base defenses. The blend of strategy and action remains distinctive in the RTS genre.