Review and Sponsorship Policy
Introduction
Elka Games is built on trust. That means being clear about how I work, what I accept, and what I won’t. Whether I’m reviewing a game, teaching its rules, or collaborating on a project, the goal is the same: honest coverage that respects the audience and the creators behind the work. This policy lays out the boundaries I keep, the disclosures I make, and the standards I hold myself to, so everyone knows where things stand before we start.
Summary
I accept review copies and paid work, but never editorial control.
Sponsors can pay for visibility, not praise.
Disclosures are clear, consistent, and upfront.
Opinions are mine. Always.
If I recommend something, it’s because I believe it belongs in your hands.
If I criticize something, it’s because you deserve to know.
Definitions
Review Copy: A product provided for free, either by request or unsolicited.
If I solicit a review copy, I commit to timely coverage in a format appropriate to the game and my channel.
If a copy is sent unsolicited, I may choose to cover it, or not, at my sole discretion. No coverage is guaranteed.
Sponsored Segment: Paid placement within a video (or as a standalone piece) where I deliver factual, agreed-upon content, such as a rules explanation or product overview. These segments are clearly marked and do not include my personal opinion.
Paid Project Work: Commissioned content, such as tutorials, promotional videos, or collaborations. These are scoped in advance, delivered professionally, and always disclosed. Payment covers production, not praise.
Affiliate Link: A link that may earn me a small commission if you make a purchase. These links never affect my opinions or coverage and are always disclosed.
Policy
1. Independence
I do not sell opinions.
No publisher, sponsor, or partner receives advance influence over:
My script
My recording
My conclusions
My tone
Whether coverage is positive, negative, or mixed
If I say something about a product, it’s because I chose to, not because I was asked to.
2. Review Copies & Compensated Work
I sometimes receive:
Review copies
Free products
Advance prototypes
Paid project work (tutorials, ads, sponsored segments)
If I request a review copy, I commit to producing coverage, through the format, tone, and timing remain at my discretion.
If a product is sent unsolicited, I may choose to feature it, delay it, or decline coverage entirely.
Receiving a product or payment never guarantees:
A positive review
Featured placement
Full editorial control
Paid projects are delivered as agreed, but opinions remain my own.
3. Disclosure
Any video involving:
A review copy
A gifted product
A paid sponsorship
An affiliate link
…will include a clear disclosure at the top of the description and verbally when appropriate.
No hidden relationships.
No vague phrasing.
4. No Script Approvals
I do not offer script approvals or editorial review to publishers, sponsors, or partners.
This means:
No advance access to scripts or footage
No revision requests or feedback rounds
No suggested talking points or preferred framing
No influence over tone, conclusions, or presentation
No preview rights before release
If a company requires editorial control, I will decline the partnership.
What is welcome:
I‘m happy to confirm factual details (e.g., product names, release dates, MSRP, rule clarifications) to ensure accuracy, but the structure, tone, and content of my videos remain entirely mine.
5. What Sponsors Can Influence
Sponsors may pay for:
Awareness and visibility
Dedicated segments
Feature placement
Objective rules explanations or product overviews
Sponsors may not:
Influence which facts are presented
Dictate how information is framed
Omit inconvenient details
Shape my conclusions, tone, or delivery
All sponsored segments will be clearly marked and remain editorially independent.
6. Negative Coverage
If a game has problems, I will discuss them openly.
I will not soften language, hide flaws, or “balance” criticism to make a publisher comfortable.
If a product cannot withstand honest criticism, it may not be ready for coverage, and that’s okay. I’d rather wait until it is.
7. Professional Courtesy
Publishers will receive:
Accurate information
Respectful communication
Realistic timelines
Honest feedback
Publishers will not receive:
Guaranteed positivity
Guaranteed release dates for unsolicited coverage
Priority over other commitments
Influence on my editorial process
8. My Core Promise to the Audience
My responsibility is to the audience, not the publisher.
You will always know:
Whether I bought the product
Whether I received it for free
Whether I was paid
Whether affiliate links are present
Why I formed the opinion I’m sharing
If I recommend something, it’s because I believe it belongs in your hands.
If I criticize something, it’s because you deserve to know.
Contact for Review Copies or Sponsorship Inquiries
If you are a publisher or designer interested in sending a product for review, or would like to discuss terms for coverage, sponsorship, or project work, please reach out via email:
All inquiries will be reviewed with care, and I’ll respond as availability allows.