CG&D maintains a small group of dedicated GMs and their players – gamers around the world who test every release before it's made available for sale. The standards I set for playtest quality are strict . . . and I expect my playtesters to be just as strict with the standards they apply to my work. The result is better games.

If you'd like to be a part of the playtest corps, I'd love to receive your application. Note, however, that playtest positions are limited, and I reject most applications. If you can read this page at all, however, it means that there's at least one open position available, waiting for the right GM to come along.

Benefits: Apart from the satisfaction and fun of helping develop quality game material, Cumberland playtesters are credited explicitly for their contributions, and provided with free copies of any title they playtest. There are other perks and freebies, too, which you'll find out about if you make the team.

Methods: Cumberland playtest is blindtest. Once a playtest begins, the material will be alone with you and your gaming group, without "benefit" of Q&A with the designer. There are no online discussion forums or email lists, either: The only way you'll know the names of your fellow playtesters is by reading the credits when the work is done. This maintains a higher standard of testing and produces more varied and insightful results.

Format: Playtest materials for small projects (up to 40 pages or so) will be provided in electronic form. Larger projects will be delivered in hardcopy form through the mails.

Automatic Rejections: For legal reasons, I must automatically reject the application of any employee of another game publisher (freelancers are welcome, however)! I also insta-trash any application where it's obvious the applicant is interested in only one project. There are no specific Fly From Evil playtesters or Sparks testers or All-Systems testers; the Fire-Eaters are gamers with broad interests and a desire to see Cumberland produce premium gaming material.

Interested gamers should send applications to sjohn@cumberlandgames.com. The application process isn't trivial! Your application letter should tell me all of the following:

• Your basic contact information: Name, age, physical and email address, etc.
• Your favorite games, and why you like them.
• Some games that disappointed you, and why.
• A single favorite Fantasy/SF film or television show, and why you like it.
• A single Fantasy/SF film or television show that you dislike, and why.
• A description of your gaming group. If you don't have a gaming group, a description of why your personal insights will be as valuable as those of a GM with a gaming group.
• Your favorite, and least favorite, trends in modern game design.
• Show me what you've got! Download the free Cray Canyon Cold Snap PDF, and tell me what, as a playtester, you'd tell me to make it better.

I will reply personally to all applications, but I won't always explain rejections. A hint, though: the ability to follow simple instructions (like those above) is vital. If you're selected, I'll direct you to the Non-Disclosure Agreement and further details. Here's hoping I hear from you soon; there's good stuff happening here!