Cores
In Allegiance the statlines for all the different ships, stations, factions etc. are kept in a small database file called the Core file, which uses the .igc file extension. By using a program called ICE, developers can tweak the various attributes to improve or change game balance. As there is more than one developer, each with their own idea of what is "balanced" and "fun", several different cores have evolved over time.
Each different Core can be thought of as a 'gameplay mod' and makes Allegiance play differently - ships and strategies which are very powerful on one Core may be completely ineffective on another.
This article is organised in terms of which core is based off which
The original Microsoft Allegiance
When Microsoft ran Allegiance there were two MS cores, one for Allegiance Zone and one for Free Zone. They were effectively the same, just that the FZ version did not have access to the Belters nor Rixian factions.
All cores are based off MS in one way or another.
Dark Nebulae
Started in 2004 by Noir, DN was one of the most popular cores for a long time, losing out to Community Core once Noir stopped updating the core regulary. Noir's design philosophy was "balance through uniqueness".
Community Core
Started in 2008 by Apochboi, CC is based off Dark Nebulae and is very similar to it. CC is intended to balance gameplay based on community feedback as opposed to being solely controlled by one author.
Pook Core
Started in 2005 by Pook, PC was designed as a "back to basics" Allegiance. It is based off the latest version of Microsoft core, attempting to remove imbalances, including the entire Rixian faction.
Allegiance+
Started in 2002 by Spunkmeyer and FoxFour, Alleg+ was the first player-run attempt at balancing Allegiance since Microsoft stopped supporting it. It lost popularity to Dark Nebulae when the final version contained an artwork bug, and the authors went AWOL.
Good Old Days
Started in 2004 by Paradigm, GoD was meant to recreate the "Good Old Days" funnily enough. It was reinvigorated in 2006 by Grimmwolf.
Edge of Reality
Started in 2004 by Hawkwood, EoR was all about using the right weapon for the right task, and is fundamentally different from other cores in terms of how you play the game.
Rock Paper Scissors
Started in 2004 by DrStrnglv, RPS adds another two levels to the tech tree.
Warp core
Started in 2007 by Apochboi, WC contains elements of RPS, DN, and Baconcore. It gives players access to superships via an advanced weapons lab.
Other Cores
- Race core - Vlymoxyd
- Special operations core (SOC)
- Zoom core (ZC) - Pook
- Star Wars Core (SW) - Weedman
- Battlestar Galactica Core (BSG) - Andon
External Links
- Dark Nebulae website
- Core database - collection of old cores
- Core Development forum
See Also
| The Allegiance Cores |
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