Editorial policy

Original work

Reviews, news, previews, and opinion are written by the named GamePlayer author. We do not copy-spin other outlets. When we cite another publication we name the reviewer or reporter and link the original.

Review scoring

Scores are out of 10 and belong to GamePlayer. We play the shipped game before a number goes on the page. Previews and calendar news do not carry scores. A buying guide is not a review. Reader scores on review pages are optional, 1–10, and only appear after moderation.

Corrections

Factual errors get a correction, not a silent rewrite when the change would mislead someone who already read the piece. Material corrections are logged on /corrections and noted on the story when the change is more than a typo. Send the URL and the sentence that is wrong.

Conflicts

Review codes and preview access are tools, not a bargain. We do not sell scores, bury a verdict for access, or let a publisher write the standfirst. Personal conflicts (a staffer who worked on a game, or close family who did) are declared on the story or the author is recused.

UGC moderation

Comments and community tips start as pending. Only approved items are public. Rejected items stay hidden. We cut abuse, spam, personal data dumps, and link-floods. Emails collected on forms are for the desk only. House rules for readers also live on /community.

Image credits

GamePlayer does not own third-party game art, characters, or trademarks. Official Steam promotional art is used for editorial context. Where no official still exists we commission an original abstract card — no character likenesses, no copied box art — and still name the rights holder. The public ledger is /credits.