Sandbox

Warning! This is the sandbox

Allegiance is a completely free team-based space-fighter-simulator/RTS hybrid commercially developed by Microsoft Research in 2000. Microsoft stopped supporting the game in 2002 and later released it in shared source format in 2004. Allegiance is entirely maintained and developed by a player-driven community which can be found at http://www.FreeAllegiance.org . While there are several modes available, gameplay usually takes the form of two teams made up of 10+ players each, located on a map made up of sectors of space that are connected via wormholes called alephs. Each team is directed by a player in the role of commander who advances the team up one of three primary tech trees by building bases, harvesting Helium3 for money, investing in research, and making general tactical decisions. Players pilot a variety of spaceships -- such as scouts, fighters, and bombers -- in an attempt to destroy the enemy team's miners and stations while protecting their own. All ships are player-controlled with the exception of miners, constructors, and most carriers.

Games usually last 40 minutes, with players able to join and leave during the game, although some games last over two hours. Allegiance currently has seven factions. Each faction has different ships, bases, and unique settings that change everything from ship speed to missile tracking. Descriptions of each faction, including their ships, bases, and technology, can be found at http://www.allegacademy.org . As the game has a steep learning curve, the community has created three separate training programs: Cadet I, a guided introductory course; Cadet II, a course that aims to teach the more advanced concepts of the game; and Allegiance Command School, a selective 9-week-long commander course. Participation in Cadet I or II can result in the player being solicited to join one of the ten active squads, but participation is completely voluntary. The "Begin Playing" guide is located on the FreeAllegiance Wiki here: http://www.freeallegiance.org/FAW/index.php .

Due to the relatively small community and the large amount of teamwork evident within games, players soon become well known to each other and soon get their own reputation. Further reinforced by an active community forum and the limited number of callsigns, a loudmouthed and arrogant player will soon become the butt of everyone's jokes whereas a player who contributes and follows advice will have no problems getting a spot on a team.

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Trying out a table

Sortable Scout Data Sheet for Community Core, not complete, proof of concept, etc etc

Faction	Armor Class	Hit Points	Mass	Scan	Energy	Signature	Fuel
Ga'Taraan Federation	Light	200	40	2400	1200	75	4
Gigacorp	Light	175	40	2400	1200	75%	4
Bios	Light	180	40	2760	1200	56.25%	4
Iron Coalition	Light	190	40	2400	1440	86.25%	4
Technoflux	Light	200	32	2640	1200	75%	4
Belters	Light	420	60	2400	1200	90%	8
Dreghklar Empire	Light	180	40	2160	1380	71.25%	4
Rixian Unity	Light	200	40	2400	1200	75%	4