Review Policy

Purpose

This page explains how I handle reviews and game keys on Indiecator. My goal is to be transparent with readers about games I didn’t purchase myself, while also helping developers, publishers, and PR professionals understand what to expect when they send me review copies.

Review Keys and Biases

Sometimes I receive review copies or keys directly from developers, PR agencies, publishers, or various platforms. Other times, I buy the games myself.

Receiving a review copy does not guarantee a positive review, as all opinions are my own. I only cover games I can genuinely spend time with and enjoy discussing. I aim to provide honest feedback and constructive criticism, and I usually avoid publishing harsh negative reviews; in such cases, I might wait for updates or provide feedback to the developer before writing.

Biases can happen, even unintentionally. Receiving a key, knowing someone personally, or receiving gifts can influence opinions. I do my utmost to remain fair and transparent in all reviews. Every review clearly discloses when a key or copy was provided.

Note: I only cover PC games. Other platforms, consoles, or mobile titles are outside the scope of Indiecator, so please only submit PC games for review consideration. On top of that, I won't be able to cover anything utilizing VR technologies of any kind.

Furthermore, I won’t cover any games that are AI-generated or primarily AI-focused. The same goes for games featuring AI-generated assets.

Disclosure of sponsored content

Indiecator does not accept payment in exchange for positive reviews. All coverage is independent.

I am open to sponsored streams over on my Twitch channel, but even then, I won’t change my opinions or hide gripes I might have with the title in question.

Conflict of interest

I will disclose any personal relationships, gifts, or other factors that might influence my opinion in the review. This includes knowing the person personally, being a huge fan (lol), and receiving a goods or monetary compensation of any kind. Transparency is incredibly important to me and I want my readers to be able to make informed purchases.

Time and Availability

Indiecator is a one-person operation, run by me alongside university studies and a part-time job. Blogging is my hobby, so my time is limited.

I try to cover as many titles as possible, but receiving a key does not guarantee coverage. If a game doesn’t fit the site’s tone, or if I don’t have enough time to do it justice, I may not get around to writing about it. I appreciate every submission and prioritise games that fit Indiecator’s focus.

Coverage Types

Depending on the game and time available, coverage may include:

Full reviews (~1,100 words): Highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and overall impressions.
First impressions (shorter, ~300-700 words): A “first look” discussing demos, early builds, or the first couple hours of gameplay on full releases.
Roundups or listicles: Featured in posts showcasing multiple titles.

I cannot promise embargo-day coverage, but I do my best to post around release. Embargoes and NDAs are always respected. Maintaining trust with developers and PR teams is more important than short-term traffic gains.

I do not use numerical scores, as comparisons between games often set misleading expectations, and numerical scores do have the effect of creating comparisons.

Reviews focus on what I liked, what I didn’t, and whether my enjoyment outweighed the downsides. A game can be excellent but not personally my cup of tea, and that’s okay. That happens at times, and I talk about that in my reviews as well.

Beyond that, I also showcase indie games on Twitch and on YouTube, although my reach is a lot smaller over on those platforms. As such, if you’re reaching out for coverage over there, please let me know, or if you don’t want me to share video/stream coverage on those platforms, mention that in e-mails, too.

Disclose and Partners

Transparency is important. Whenever I receive a key, a short disclosure is included early in the review, along with general information about the game (developer, publisher, genre, release date, platform).

Platforms and partners I’ve worked with include (but are not limited to):

PR/Marketing:
StridePR, HonestPR, PR Outreach, RenaissancePR, PiratePR, VicariousPR, Critical Hit PR, ZEMORE PR, Evolve PR

Publishers:
Stray Fawn Studios, RogueDuck Interactive, Whitethorn Games, Future Friends Games, Akupara Games, CriticalReflex, Team17, PQube, Hooded Horse, AMPLITUDE Studios, Neon Doctrine, tinyBuild, Devolver Digital, Anshar Publishing, Alawar, HumanCube, Shueisha, Dangen Entertainment, Wired Productions, and more.

Other:
PressEngine, Lurkit, GamePiñata, Terminals, LazyOtter, and many indie developers who reach out personally.

Contact

Note: I only cover PC games. I don't cover VR games or titles with AI-generated prompts and/or assets.

To send a review request or press release, please email me with:

Game name and platform
Short description and press kit
Content Warnings
Embargo or launch details
In the case of Early Access games, please also include a roadmap is possible
Preferred coverage type (blog post, interview, stream, YouTube video)

Note: Unsolicited keys sent without prior contact may not be covered.

I also run a Discord server for community engagement and content updates, but please do not join solely to promote your game. Email is the preferred contact for review submissions.

I try to respond to e-mails within 1-2 weeks, but it can take longer due to university, work and other commitments. If you haven’t heard back after a reasonable period, feel free to politely follow up via email.

Rights and Usage

All content written by me is copyrighted to me/Indiecator (see also DMCA). Developers may share links to reviews, but the text itself may not be republished without permission. If you want to share a quote or something of the sort, please reach out to me beforehand via e-mail.

Closing Note

Indiecator is all about sharing a love for indie games… especially the weird, creative, and heartfelt ones that deserve more attention. Whether you’re a solo dev, a small studio, or a PR partner helping indie teams find their audience, thanks for trusting me with your work.