Review and Sponsorship Policy
The Handshake: How I Work With Creators and Sponsors
Elka Games is built on a simple idea: The Open Table. For that to work, there has to be trust. Whether I’m tinkering with a new game, recording the podcast, or teaching a ruleset, I want you to know exactly how I handle the “business” side of things.
The Short Version:
I don’t sell my opinion. You can pay for my time or my reach, but never my praise.
Total Transparency. If I didn’t buy it with my own money, I’ll tell you.
The Audience Comes First. If I recommend a game, it’s because I think it’s worth your time, not because a publisher asked me to say so.
Review Copies (The Mailbag)
I love seeing what’s new in the world of tabletop games. Sometimes publishers send me games to check out.
If I ask for a game: I’ll make sure it gets covered on the site or podcast in a timely way.
If it shows up unannounced: I’ll take a look, but I can’t promise it’ll make it to the table or the airwaves.
The Deal: A free box is a gift, not a contract. It doesn’t guarantee a positive review or a specific release date.
Sponsored Content and Projects
To keep the lights on and the mics running for the reviews, podcast, and other content, I occasionally take on paid work like rules tutorials, promotional overviews, or sponsored segments.
Facts vs. Feelings: Paid segments are for sharing facts—how to play, what’s in the box, or when it launches. I don’t include my personal “review” or opinion in pad spots.
No “Sneak Peeks”: I don’t send scripts or videos to sponsors for “approval” or edits. I’m happy to double-check a release date, or a rule for accuracy, but the tone and the final word are always mine.
Being Honest (Even When It Isn’t Pleasant)
If a game has flaws, I’m going to talk about the, I don’t believe in “softening” a critique to stay on a publisher’s good side. My job is to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into before you spend your hard-earned hobby budget.
Affiliate Links
Sometimes I’ll use links that earn me a tiny commission if you buy something. It doesn’t cost you a penny more, and it helps keep the studio running. Like everything else, I’ll always tell you when they’re there.
Questions?
If you’re a content creator, designer, or publisher, who wants to work with me, I’d love to chat. Just keep in mind I value my audience above all else. Drop me a line at kurt@elkagames.com and let’s see if we can build something awesome together.