MEDIA ALERT: FEBRUARY 24, 2000

MICROSOFT UNVEILS NEW CIVILIZATION IN ALLEGIANCE BETA PROGRAM

Details on Allegiance Zone, Pricing Model, and Server Hosting Also Released

Microsoft announced today that a new civilization has been added to Allegiance, its online space-action game that is currently in open beta. Coming to stores in April, Allegiance will be playable on the MSN Gaming Zone (http://www.zone.com) as well as via independent game servers worldwide. Allegiance combines furious space combat with the social challenge of squadron-based combat in a stunning 3D universe.

In the game's story line, the earth is destroyed and the remaining survivors have taken flight into space. Instead of banding together for mutual survival, humanity divides into several warring factions such as the Iron Coalition, GigaCorp, The Bios, and others, squabbling over the remaining resources critical to survival. The new civilization, the Belters, joins this mix of factions. They are comprised of a loose collection of independent traders, prospectors, pirates, and privateers. Led by unlikely hero Orion Sholes, the Belters pilot an odd mix of captured and jury-rigged equipment referred to as the "Junkyard Armada." Once the game ships, the Belters faction will only be accessible to subscribers of the Allegiance Zone.

Allegiance will be available in retail stores for an anticipated street price of US$40. Gamers can then choose to play on public-domain servers free of charge or access the Allegiance Zone, a subscription service that provides larger-scale games, special events, persistent scoring and rankings, and new exclusive content such as the Belters faction. Players are eligible for one free month on the Allegiance Zone ($9.95 value) with game purchase. The MSN Gaming Zone will host the Allegiance Zone as well as a continuously updated list of free game servers worldwide. The Allegiance Server Code will be also be made available as a free download to parties interested in hosting game servers.

Allegiance is currently in open beta. Gamers are welcome to download the game and joins thousands of other combatants in interstellar war. For details visit:

http://www.microsoft.com/games/allegiance/beta.htm

In Allegiance, players can pilot and customize many different classes of ships; from scouts and fighters to battle cruisers. They also have the ability to switch between a variety of combat roles, including pilot, turret gunner or base commander. Hundreds of players can engage each other in death-match style arenas or in cooperative play. Gamers will be able to represent their identity, through recorded accomplishments and medals, giving combatants the chance to become part of an ongoing, dynamic universe. Allegiance also features rich strategic elements such as controllable assets, researchable technology and command features.

*Connect-time charges may apply. Players must purchase retail version of Allegiance to play online.

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