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Editorial Policy

Niteforge Studios Editorial Policy

1. Editorial Independence

Independence is the cornerstone of Niteforge Studios.

  • Objectivity: Our editorial content is produced without influence from advertisers, game developers, or hardware manufacturers.
  • Review Copies: We may receive “review copies” of games or “loaner units” for hardware. Acceptance of these items does not guarantee a positive review, nor does it influence our final score or critique.
  • No “Pay-for-Play”: We never accept payment in exchange for a favorable review or specific editorial coverage.

2. Review Guidelines & Coverage Philosophy

Our Selection Process

We do not believe in “covering everything” just for the sake of traffic. Niteforge Studios focuses on games that our staff actively plays, enjoys, or has deep expertise in within specific genres. This ensures that when you read a review or a guide, it is coming from a player who understands the nuances of the genre and shares your passion. Our goal is to provide a perspective from one fan to another.

Gaming Reviews

We evaluate games based on gameplay mechanics, narrative quality, visual/audio fidelity, and technical performance. We strive to complete the main campaign or spend significant hours in multiplayer/endgame content before issuing a final verdict.

Tech & Hardware Reviews

Tech reviews focus on real-world utility, build quality, performance benchmarks, and value for money. Any hardware provided for review is either returned to the manufacturer or kept in our “benchmarking lab” for future comparisons; it is never sold for profit.

Mod & Community Content

Niteforge Studios champions the modding community. When reviewing mods or community projects:

  • Credit: We always credit the original creators and provide links to their official hosting platforms (e.g., Nexus Mods, ModDB).
  • SFW Commitment: We only cover content that is strictly Safe For Work (SFW). We do not feature or review mods with NSFW (Not Safe For Work) themes, including content that contains subtle NSFW elements. Additionally, we will not cover any mod or community project that has dependencies on other NSFW content or requires NSFW-rated assets to function.
  • Policy Compliance: We respect the intellectual property and guidelines set by game publishers and developers. We will not cover, promote, or link to mods that violate a developer’s Terms of Service or EULA. This includes mods locked behind permanent paywalls or those that facilitate the unauthorized distribution of paid assets, provided such actions go against the developer’s official policies.
  • Safety: We only review mods that we have verified as safe to the best of our ability, though we always advise our readers to exercise caution when installing third-party software.

YouTube & Video Content

When featuring video content from the community or creators:

  • Direct Embedding: We embed videos directly from the creator’s original YouTube channel to ensure they receive all associated views, metrics, and engagement.
  • Creator Attribution: Every embedded video is accompanied by a direct link to the creator’s YouTube channel. All rights remain with the original creators.
  • External Content Disclosure: We embed videos and link to third-party content solely to provide context or reference. Niteforge Studios is only responsible for the context in which a video is featured on our platform. We are not responsible for content produced by the creator outside of the specific embedded video or on external sites. Users engage with third-party platforms at their own discretion.

3. Affiliate Marketing & Transparency Disclosure

To support our operations, Niteforge Studios participates in various affiliate marketing programs.

Our Disclosure:

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. These affiliate relationships help us maintain our operations and continue providing high-quality content.

Our Commitment:

The presence of an affiliate link does not influence our editorial decision-making. We only link to products we believe are relevant to our audience. You are under no obligation to use these links, and using them does not increase the price you pay.

Liability & Feedback:

  • Transaction Responsibility: Niteforge Studios is not responsible for any purchase issues, shipping delays, or refunds related to products purchased via affiliate links. All such inquiries must be directed to the vendor or merchant.
  • Reader Feedback: We value our readers’ trust. If you have negative feedback regarding a specific vendor or determine that a product is no longer aligned with our community values, please let us know. If we determine an affiliate no longer meets our standards, the associated links will be deactivated.

4. External Links

Niteforge Studios often includes links to external websites for attribution, further reading, or to guide readers to helpful resources.

  • Independent Sites: These external sites are not owned or operated by Niteforge Studios.
  • No Endorsement: Unless explicitly stated, a link to an external site does not imply an endorsement of all content found on that site. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of third-party websites.

5. Corrections and Updates

Accuracy is our priority, but mistakes happen.

  • Corrections: If a factual error is discovered, we will update the article promptly.
  • Transparency: Significant changes to an article (such as a corrected fact or a changed review score) will be noted at the top or bottom of the post with a “Correction” or “Update” timestamp.

6. Content Integrity and Verification

  • Human Authorship: Every article, review, and report published by Niteforge Studios is researched and written by human creators. We believe in the value of human perspective and expert boots-on-the-ground reporting.
  • Rigorous Fact-Checking: All content undergoes a multi-stage verification process to ensure technical data, release dates, and performance benchmarks are accurate before publication.
  • Conflict of Interest: Our writers are required to disclose any personal or financial ties to companies they cover to ensure total transparency with our readers.

7. Amendments

Niteforge Studios reserves the right to amend, update, or change this Editorial Policy at any time to reflect changes in our operations, industry standards, or legal requirements.

  • Notification: Changes will be effective immediately upon publication on this page. We encourage our readers to review this policy periodically to stay informed.
  • Consent: Continued use of our platform following the posting of any amendments constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

8. Contact Information

We welcome feedback, tips, and inquiries from our readers and partners.