At GameObserver, our core goal is to become a trusted hub for human-created, high-quality and trustworthy gaming news, features, reviews, and guides. To accomplish this, our staff follow a code of conduct so that our reporting is fair, balanced and ethical.
This Code of Conduct covers all our writers for any content they produce for GameObserver, this does not cover our team’s social media, work for other publications, or any other public conduct.
AI
Our writers will not use AI for the purpose of writing or creating any content for GameObserver. All of the images used are either created by ourselves or sourced elsewhere and credited where applicable. All our writers have signed a pledge committing to this statement.
Copyright
All images and video used on our website and social media channels has been created by ourselves, provided to us through press releases and press kits, is available as promotional material, or we have asked for permission or followed the appropriate crediting guidelines for that platform.
For the purpose of our articles, we will often use screenshots from video games or movies, which fall under “fair use” in US copyright laws.
Plagiarism
We have zero tolerance to plagiarism on our writing team. Any information or quotes that have been sourced from elsewhere under fair use will be credited.
Accuracy
News reported by GameObserver is reported with due accuracy, using information available at the time of publication. Any information or quotes used will be pulled from reliable sources, which will be credited in the citation.
If certain details cannot be verified, then we’ll make this clear.
Impartiality
Our news stories are covered with due impartiality, covering every fact and ensuring that one side does not receive favourable reporting when applicable.
While our writers can use their industry expertise to offer analysis, any beliefs, speculations or opinions held by a writer will be clearly indicated.
While we work as a team to deliver content on the game industry and represent GameObsever and its values, we each still hold our own opinions as individuals and opinions expressed in articles, such as a review, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the wider team.
Conflict of Interest
Our team does not receive compensation in exchange for creating any form of content, including reviews. While we do receive review copies of games, this does not influence our score and if a review is based on a review copy given to us, we will disclose this in the review.
Outside of professional industry relationships, our staff will not cover a story if they personally know or work for anyone involved with a company or an individual covered in the story, unless it is required or relevant to the piece. The only exception to this is if the story is within the public interest, which will be up to the discretion of our editors. Outside of professional relationships, our team will also not review a product if they personally know someone involved in its creation.
Public interest refers to the reporting of an individual or company partaking in dishonest, improper or unethical conduct.
Defamation
While certain news reports may cover a negative topic on an individual or organisation, these will be limited to facts and opinions.
On the occasion that we will be covering a topic that reflects negatively on an individual or company, we will either reach out for comment or use a comment that has been given elsewhere. Most of the time, the party in question will be given a reasonable amount of time to respond. But on the occasion that the subject is particularly time sensitive, then our story could be published before the party in question has responded to the request for comment. Their response will then be added to the article once received with a timestamped note to mark the edit.
Any opinions that reflect negatively on an organisation or individual will be clearly noted as an opinion and will be based on fact with cited evidence and/or personal experience.
Communication
When communicating with third parties, such as for an interview or comment, our team will disclose if any communication is on the record for reporting. Our team will not behave in a way that constitutes harassment. When asked to cease communication, we will do so. If any communication is with a child under the age of 16, then this will only be conducted with the consent of a parent/guardian.
If you believe that any content on our site breaches this code of practice, then please contact Bobby Kent via bobby@gameobserver.com for review.