March 1, 2006

Himalaya Studios Announces Beta Testing Team

Himalaya Studios, the developer of the upcoming graphical adventure game “Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman’s Mine”, has publicly announced the names of the elite group of chosen beta testers.  Testers, chosen based on their work history, positive skill sets, demographics, and enthusiasm include:

Michael Anderson, Alex Asp, Rick Beiswanger, Merlijn van den Bos, Robert Bray, Derek Chiu, Derrick Collins, Amitai Elster, Stephanie Femrite, Patrick Flanagan, Len Green, Diane Hidy, J. Bryce Hidysmith, J. Evie Hidysmith, Chris Martin, Joshua McMillin, Don McPherson, Daniel Nicholas Milano, Yael Mintz, Werner Mollentze, Margie Novak, Claudius Orsmond, J. Tony Smith, Deborah Stone, Markus Strauss, Sean Swartzwelder, Chuck Tinsley, Edward Wyatt, and Michelle Yeung

“It was a difficult process, narrowing down candidates,” explains Britney Brimhall, Chairman and CEO of the company.  “We received literally hundreds of top notch applicants within the first few days of our search, making our acceptance rate about as competitive as Harvard Law School’s.”  Similar to the Ivy League institution’s substantial applicant pool, Himalaya Studios’ call for testers attracted some exceptional achievers, including QA testers from Sierra and employees of Bioware. Himalaya Studios has faith that these testers will aid the team tremendously in readying "Al Emmo" for the masses of fans.

Beta testers will receive a free copy of “Al Emmo” for their work, but have reported that aiding a special cause is more important than monetary compensation. After Sierra Online shut down its adventure game division in the late 90s, a large market of fans were starving for classic style adventure games.  Himalaya Studios has embarked on a quest to fulfill these desires by creating nostalgic, classic style PC adventures for the fans.  As one tester put it, “the fall of the adventure game genre is a travesty.  Himalaya Studios is doing what should have been done: creating good, high-quality adventure games that everyone can enjoy.” "Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman's Mine" is scheduled for release this Spring at www.himalayastudios.com. 

 

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