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MEDIA ALERT: JUNE 27, 2000

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ALLEGIANCE DEBUTS NEW CIVILIZATION

Game Adds Carrier Ships To the Mix With the Addition of the Rixiaan Unity

Microsoft today announced the addition of a fifth civilization to Allegiance, its pulse-pounding online space-action game. The Rixiaan Unity, a technologically advanced alien faction, is now available exclusively on the Allegiance Zone ( www.zone.com/allegiance ), a bonus play-environment available for players who own the retail version of the game. Allegiance combines furious space combat with the social challenge of squadron-based combat in a stunning 3D universe.

With the addition of the Rixiaan Unity, carrier ships make their debut in the game. For the first time in online gaming, players will have the opportunity to pilot a carrier while other ships land and take off during battle. The Rixian's new technology is embraced by all civilizations in Allegiance, giving all factions the ability to research and build carriers. The new faction doesn't use missiles, but they compensate with deadly, armed pods and a very fast research time.

Allegiance is one of the highest-rated games of the year, averaging nearly a 90% review rating. It has scored three Editor's Choice awards from major publications and online gaming sites as well as several perfect 5-star reviews. The game is being praised for its innovation and engrossing team-based space combat action. With thousands of registered players on Zone.com and scores of free-play servers available worldwide, Allegiance is taking the genre to the next level.

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. For more information about Allegiance, visit the game's official site at:

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

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