GameSpy.com's Age of Mythology Developer Diary is written by Ensemble Studios' Bruce Shelley, who discusses the research they did into the literature of mythology so they were not just making up the made-up stories that form the foundation of their upcoming RTS game. He describes the extensive research they conducted, as well as their goal of utilizing it as part of their gameplay without literally recreating it (much the way they make use of historical research for their previous "Age of..." games), the books and Internet resources they were able to make use of, how what they learned was implemented, and how their research continues even as the completion of the game approaches. On the subject of AoM, the Age of Mythology Website has an update on the multiplayer alpha test, detailing what the testers will receive, and saying they should start shipping the alpha within seven to ten days.