Published on 1/16/99

"My Voice" Editorial

NOTE: "This column was written the first day of the open beta, and is a commentary on beta's, not the game itself. Since written, the developers of MS Research have fixed teh connection bugs, and Rayne loves this damn game!"

Got home this evening, and after a long day in front of the comp, I go right past the fridge and over to my comp. First things first, time to check the E-mail…

…Are you having problems making your mortgage payments? Nope, I'm good thanks. Delete.

…Great priced printer toner! Almost feel pity for this guy, but not enough. Delete.

…Free XXX Videos!!!! Hmm, I'll just keep this for later.

… DOWNLOADABLE ALLEGIANCE OPEN BETA NOW AVAILABLE! If it's in caps, it's usually good. Here's what followed: "Microsoft announced today that gamers can now download Allegiance, an online space-action game, and participate in the game's open beta program. Coming to stores in March, Allegiance will be playable on the MSN Gaming Zone as well as independent game servers worldwide. Allegiance combines furious space combat with the social challenge of squadron-based combat in a stunning 3D universe."

Honestly, how cool does that sound? After looking at some screenshots, the voice in the back of my head keeps repeating "Asheron's Call Meets FreeSpace….Asheron's Call Meets Freespace…..Download, Downlaod, DOWNLOAD". Who am I to argue that logic? While the download is a hefty 55 megs, my DSL chews it up in a few minutes. Install takes longer than you might expect, and after the reboot you're ready to go. Game launches… Couple splash screens and you're at the main menu. I figured I ought to try the training missions before I get on the zone and make an ass out of myself. Revieing the game isnt what I had in mind with this column, but I'll give you an idea. The game looked great. Playability was smooth, graphics were sweet and nicely textured and the training missions were detailed. Don't care what type of Genre you're into, but flying around in a ship blowing things up is wholesome fun for the whole family. After a good 20 minutes of learning the game, I decided I was good to go. Here's where it starts to get ugly...

The bloody game doesn't work. I know what you're going to say: You do the beta testing, you're most likely to get frustrated, angered and discouraged with the all the bugs in the game. You do an open beta testing, game should be cleaner, but don't expect too much either. You done? Good. After the 10 minute download, the 20 minutes of playing I went to the zone. Click on Play button in the game room and get ready as the game loads up. Of course I was blinded to the fact that there were many others in the lobby… Finally inside the actual game menu, hit the "game server" button…..and the pleasant message "Can't Logon to server". Tried it 3 more times, logged off and came back on, re-booted and re-installed. Nothing, same damn error. As a desperate measure I tried getting help in the lobby, but the hundred-odd gamers in there were not in the most co-operative mood. On a better note, I learned how to swear at a game company in seven different languages. I'm not saying it doesn't work 100% percent of the time, but out of the 180 people in the game room, 113 were cursing, and the rest were in the game. You do the math.

And there you have it folks. Open beta testing for the nice looking Space sim Allegiance, and you can't even get it going. I'd like to end today's column by saying that I respect the decision of Microsoft Research to release the game so early for open beta. Really? No, not really. ;)

Apart from being a smart ass and writing PC Paradox's My Voice Editorial, Rayne hosts the daily online video game show, at Gamer's Playground. C2000 GP/PCP. All Rights Reserved.

Author:
Rayne Summers

Type:
Editorial

Subject:
MS Allegiance Beta