We're looking for enthusiastic GMs and players to join our Playtesting pool. Playtesters must sign and abide by a Catalyst NonDisclosure Agreement. Playtesters are compensated per CGL policy. If interested, please email info@shadowrun4.com.

A few notes on what we look for in playtesting groups:

• Meet regularly (multiple times a month - generally playtest feedback is required within 2 - 4 weeks of material being received).
• Have a full playing group. Single playtesters are not needed at this time.
• Play by the RAW for the playtesting.
• Able to have both the GM and all the players fill out playtesting reports. Reports should be well-written, offer in-depth reviews, and offer explanations if something is disliked or liked. We need both positive and negative feedback. If something is disliked, alternate versions need to be suggested. At times, several versions of a rule (or rules) will be offered, and feedback on each one should be included.
• Report promptly and regularly. This includes filling out polls and answering specific questions.
• Be a good communicator.
• Be able to stick to your Non-Disclosure Agreement. Every member of the playtest group must sign this.

To answer some questions I've received:

Playtest groups should meet at least 2xmonth. Most groups meet 4xmonth. Being able to meet more or play for longer sessions when material is available is ideal.

Reports should come from the GM. However, each player needs to provide feedback as well. The GM is responsible for compiling all her/his players' reports into one document, providing more in-depth feedback from the GM point of view, and communicating with me. The GM is also responsible for answering polls and questions, although he/she should ask his/her players for their answers and input those as well (or answer as a group). Reports are emailed as one document.

Playtesters review both rules and adventures. Rules can be inserted into a current game, tested in a special one-shot game, or simply run through over pizza and beer (invite me, please). As an example, look at the Lifestyle rules in Runners Companion and think of how your group would playtest those.

[for the person who asked, here you go]

Playtester behavior in public forums like, ahem, Dumpshock. Yes, you will be a role model for young and impressionable minds, and as such should live your life with higher purpose. Be kind to children and small animals, help the elderly across the street, always hold doors for ladies, and avoid flame wars on Dumpshock. More specifically, playtesters are privy to upcoming material—sometimes six months or more prior to release (or announcement). Playtesters cannot post anywhere regarding the confidential material they have seen. Nor should playtesters post in generalities, i.e., “I’ve seen the coolest upcoming project.� It’s a fine line to walk (or type) and yes, it will impact your posting on dumpshock. Honest truth, omae.

Would love to but there aren't any SR groups that I have found in the Hampton Roads area (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Hampton, & Newport News) in Virginia.

Been many a year since I had my last SR fix... and that was back in SR2. Cut my teeth on SR1 (DIAF Staging).

Out of curiosity, what is your timeframe? When do you anticipate letting people know if they will be asked to play test?

Dare I get my hopes up that this is the early stages of 5th edition?

So soon?

I'm going to cut this off at the pass. This thread is for people interested in playtesting Shadowrun 4th Edition. If you want to discuss anything but playtesting Shadowrun 4th edition, please do so... elsewhere. Thanks.

Immediate, and soon. People who express interest by contacting info@shadowrun4.com will be given the opportunity to provide us with a "test" playtest. Based on that "test" we'll let people know if they are accepted. There are limited openings so please contact us soon. If you are interested, in your email please describe your group a bit so we can get to know you.

sounds sweet how do i get more info... my group plays every sun.

ICPiK

If interested, as said above (and on Shadowrun4.com), please email info@shadowrun4.com with the subject line “Playtesting� and include some information about your gaming group [number of players, how often you play, what other games you play, that sorta stuff].

If you have questions, you can post them to this thread so everyone can benefit from the answers... or you can include specific questions in your email to info@shadowrun4.com.

I'm interested. I'll need to run it by the group before I commit though.

Carl

I shot you an email. how soon do you expect to get back to us?

I thought the GM in the group had to be a Commando/Agent/whatever the heck they are called this week to become a playtester?

No. The Shadowrun playtesters are separate from Missions.

Very interested. I have a group that plays every saturday.

We're Ozzie too, so... new perspective perhaps?

I know introducing people to the idea of dystopian Seattle has been a hoot. We're rotating GMs this weekend to play a game set in Paris, France. Gonna rob the Louvre.

-J2

Which is *also* separate from the demo team.

Can we get some Venn Diagrams?

Email your interest at info@shadowrun4.com.

What is the deadline for the 'audition'? I'm going to have to commandeer a session or two to make this happen.

March 10th. Part of the "audition" is seeing how quickly your group can turn around feedback.

For those who wonder what the "audition" refers to, we've had such an overwhelmingly positive response that we are having potential groups audition for us (ie, submit a sample playtest report). No singing or dancing required. I do believe I've responsed to everyone who submitted an email to info@shadowrun4.com prior to 8 AM (Pacific) today. If you submitted your email after that, I'm still working on it.

But chocolate is still welcome, right?

I can bake cheesecake. I can bake probably the best cheesecake you've ever had.

Gah! The last thing I need is to drop yet another game because they put out yet another needless edition, don't scare me like that!

5th edition I'm going to put the date as December 24th, 2011 just in time for Christmas.

(Evidence: there are 7 years between each SR edition and SR4 came out in 2005, putting the next edition at 2012, but I think they might push it forward a little for...obvious reasons).

/puts on mom hat/

Boys, we're discussing 4th edition playtesting. Stick to the topic or go to your rooms.

/takes off mom hat/

1989
1992
1998
2005

[Sorry Jen.]

You know that when you chose that date, it had nothing to do with Christmas. I hope I am not the only one to awaken to this.

I know that and you know that, but do non-SR enthusiasts know that?

I have a group that meets reliable every other week.

We have 5 stable players + 1 GM.

If you still need play testers we would love to get involved.

Email your interest to info@shadowrun4.com

Our call for playtesters has generated a lot of responses — thanks to everyone that has already submitted their interest in being a playtester. We’ll be closing the open call on Monday, March 2nd, so please have your application in by the end of Monday if you want a chance at joining our playtester pool.

(edit: I have replied to everyone who has sent in an application up to this point. If you haven't heard from me, and you sent your email of interest to the correct email address, try again. If you don't hear from me within 24 hours, leave me a PM on this forum.)

What exactly is due tomorrow? What's an "application"? An email saying, "We'd like to be playtesters", or the complete playtest report on the SM adventure specified in the email those of us who have expressed interest received on the 24th of last month?

Due tomorrow is a "statement of interest" email to info@shadowrun4.com saying "Pick me! Pick me!" (just kidding, you should email the information we've already stated we want).

For those who have already emailed their 'statement of interest' should have recieved an email reply from me with the next step in the process. This would be the "audition" step, and is due by March 10th.

I finally return to DS after a year or so away. My old SR group is starting to playa gain now that i ahve moved back to the area. ANd i am a day late a dollar short for waht could have been a awesome opertunity. Oh well grats to all that do get picked. And for the love of pete be honest in your reviews and playtesting.

edited due to a double post

Thank you to the hundreds (literally) of Shadowrun fans who expressed an interest in joining our playtesting group! We are no longer accepting applications at this time. If you are interested in contributing to the Shadowrun universe, consider putting in a proposal for our Open Call for Anniversary Adventures (see the stickie above). We’d love to hear from you! Thanks again!

Just a reminder to those groups who applied to be Shadowrun playtesters. Your "audition" reports are due tomorrow, March 10th. Thanks to all the groups who have emailed me your auditions. I should have replied to each of you; if you have not heard from me, please email me again or PM me on this forum.

How very punny of you to point this out.

Don't worry about him. He's just being a troll.

If this was any other Intertube forum, I would say "dems arr fiitin werds". However, since this is Shadowrun, I don't mind a little Goblinization.