A few trusted souls (alpha testers) were given a ticket to Ankalibar, and forth they voyaged. They faced great perils (also known as bugs), much confusion (bad dialog) and frustration (clunky save-game UI). But they returned safely, and Ankalibar will be much improved for their efforts.
This alpha was conducted with the Windows version. A second closed alpha is planned for the new year. The second will feature fixes for the issues identified in the first alpha, and also a round of performance tuning for the Color Computer version, allowing us to fully test that version too.
Beyond that, we expect the new year to allow us to shift fully to development of the substance of the game. Lots of new areas, items, NPCs and quests will come to life. Kidnapped by pirates? Check. Ride great beasts of the air to new lands? Check. Venture to the chaos realm and return utterly changed? Check. Begin to understand the stirring presence beneath the world and your connection to it? Definitely check.