Some might get the chance to play Shadowrun before the rest of us, as Microsoft and FASA Studios have just opened applications for Shadowrun beta testers. You know the game will come out both on PC and Xbox 360 but the beta testers are required to play the game on the 360(bummer).

The beta testing for this FPS from Microsoft will begin in December, so hurry and get in your application before they close the books. At first, there will be a limited number of testers, but Microsoft will increase the number of testers gradually over time.

If you want to apply for this job, you first have to log on to http://connect.microsoft.com and follow a few simple steps. You will need to sign in using your Windows Live ID and then, you must continue to the "Invitations" page. You have to accept the Terms of Use Agreement and all that other nonsense and after entering your invitation ID, you'll get on with the important stuff like filling in the questionnaire and signing up.

The Shadowrun franchise is more than meets the eye, as the first edition of the game was released back in 1989. The upcoming Shadowrun FPS will come out in June 2007, and it is among the first PC games which will have Windows Vista support.

The game is set in Brazil in the year 2031, and players will be able to choose from two factions, the RNS Global and The Lineage. Human, Elf, Troll and Dwarf are the races present in Shadowrun and each race will have its own traits.