Microsoft introduced a new facet to its online space combat game, Allegiance, with the announcement of a fourth faction. Led by Orion Sholes, the Belters are a ragtag mix of pirates, prospectors, and privateers. The Belters' armada consists largely of jury-rigged ships and fighters made up of captured, stolen, and spare parts.
Allegiance is currently in an open beta stage, and is scheduled to ship in April 2000 for around US$40. Gamers will be able to play on public-domain servers free of charge, or on the Allegiance Zone for a nominal monthly fee. A subscription to the latter grants the use of a number of extra features, including the ability to fly as one of the Belters.