I'm always on the lookout for new games (who isn't?), and in my travels, I stumbled upon Allegiance.
Now apparently, this game was an actual retail game at one point, released by Microsoft even, but had too many problems with hackers and not enough advertising. The game didn't sell very well, and eventually MS pulled the plug.
In that time, it had pulled together a dedicated (if small) fanbase, that began setting up their own servers, writing their own mods to balance the game, etc.
MS eventually released the source code for it, and the fans had a field day.
It's basically a space sim for most people, except one person takes the role of commander, getting a "top-down" view of the different sectors. They issue orders, research tech, build stations, etc.
The other people fly space ships, dogfight, man turrets, and a number of other duties.
The game has a monster learning cure. The communities' own program to teach noobs lasts eight weeks. But if you read through their Academy's Crash Course and play a few games, you learn everything you need to know.
It's stable and balanced (at least the races are), and really fun if you get on a team that actually works together.
http://www.freeallegiance.org - The main community site, including the forums and the client download.
http://www.allegacademy.org - Allegiance Academy, which has a wealth of information on how to play the game, even if some sections are a little outdated.
Now apparently, this game was an actual retail game at one point, released by Microsoft even, but had too many problems with hackers and not enough advertising. The game didn't sell very well, and eventually MS pulled the plug.
In that time, it had pulled together a dedicated (if small) fanbase, that began setting up their own servers, writing their own mods to balance the game, etc.
MS eventually released the source code for it, and the fans had a field day.
It's basically a space sim for most people, except one person takes the role of commander, getting a "top-down" view of the different sectors. They issue orders, research tech, build stations, etc.
The other people fly space ships, dogfight, man turrets, and a number of other duties.
The game has a monster learning cure. The communities' own program to teach noobs lasts eight weeks. But if you read through their Academy's Crash Course and play a few games, you learn everything you need to know.
It's stable and balanced (at least the races are), and really fun if you get on a team that actually works together.
http://www.freeallegiance.org - The main community site, including the forums and the client download.
http://www.allegacademy.org - Allegiance Academy, which has a wealth of information on how to play the game, even if some sections are a little outdated.