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Ethical Disclosure & Editorial Standards for Our Publications
Terms & Conditions • Standard Operating Procedure • Privacy Policy • Terms of Service
Effective Date: June 7, 2025
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Introduction and Purpose
"Education is central to consumer empowerment"
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Our mission is to empower you with incisive, accurate, and engaging insights on gaming and gaming culture.
We are transparent and uphold the highest ethical standards. This document outlines our editorial policies and disclosures, ensuring we build and maintain the trust of our readers, contributors, and the broader gaming community. It reflects best practices established by leading media and advocacy organizations.​
Index:
1. Editorial Independence and Objectivity
2. Fact-Checking, Review Materials, and Methodologies
3. Conflict of Interest and Disclosure
4. Advertising, Sponsorships, and Affiliate Disclosures
5. User Data Privacy, Monetization & Financial Transparency
6. Corrections, Updates, and Accountability
7. Contributions: Content, Rights, and Attribution
8. Community Participation and Moderation
9. Legal Compliance and Sensitive Topics
10. Representation, Non-Discrimination, and Responsible Reporting
11. Social Media and Public Conduct
12. Merchandise Use and Conduct Disclaimer
13. Continuous Improvement and Review
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1. Editorial Independence and Objectivity
• Unbiased Reporting: Our editorial process operates independently of commercial, corporate, or sponsor influence. Reviews, news, and features are developed through rigorous research, analysis, and first-hand testing. All contributors are vetted for expertise, ethics, and potential conflicts of interest.
• Autonomy in Decision-Making: Our writers and editor make all editorial decisions—including scoring, content framing, and opinion authorship—free from external input.
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• Distinct Functions: As an educational nonprofit, we recognize that public trust is essential to our mission. We maintain deliberate boundaries between editorial, advocacy, fundraising, and sponsorship functions to ensure the credibility, integrity, and independence of our content.
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2. Fact-Checking, Review Materials, and Methodologies
• Rigorous Verification: All our content is verified against multiple reliable sources prior to publication. Speculative material, such as rumors or leaks, is explicitly labeled as unconfirmed until verified.
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• Review Copies & Materials: Most games and hardware are purchased at retail; review copies may be provided by developers or publishers, but such access does not influence final evaluations or conclusions.
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• Transparency in Methodology: Reviews specify whether a pre-release or consumer version was used and detail the testing environment (e.g., platform, hardware) to provide meaningful context for the evaluation. In editorial or experiential reviews, where technical conditions are not central to the critique, such details may be omitted.
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3. Conflict of Interest and Disclosure
• Personal and Financial Interests: Contributors must disclose any potential conflicts—such as close relationships with developers, financial holdings, or prior employment—to the editor prior to submission. Such disclosures will be clearly indicated in the published article.​
• Sponsored Content and Incentives: Contributors must disclose any review copies received, sponsorships accepted, or other incentives. Sponsored or partner-influenced content may be permitted with prior editorial approval and must include clear, prominent disclosure.
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• Crowdfunding and Affiliate Disclosures: If a contributor is involved in crowdfunding a project or benefits from affiliate marketing (e.g., Amazon Associates, GOG), that relationship must be explicitly disclosed within the article.​​​
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4. Advertising, Sponsorships, and Affiliate Disclosures
• Plain Separation: Advertisements and sponsored content are never intermingled with editorial content. Sponsored pieces are clearly labeled, and any affiliate links are disclosed upfront.
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• Spirit of Independence: Advertising revenue, sponsorships, or affiliate commissions do not influence the impartiality of reviews or the editorial voice.
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• Retail and Monetization Transparency: In cases where editorial content appears alongside or within commercial platforms (e.g., Walmart’s Restart), the relationship will be disclosed and editorial independence preserved.
Note: We currently maintain no affiliate, promotional, or sponsorship relationships. Our revenue model relies solely on non-commercial contributions that support our work. Editorial content is governed by our Style Guide, which sets standards for accuracy, impartiality, disclosure, and content classification.
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5. User Data Privacy, Monetization & Financial Transparency
User Data Protection: We adhere to all applicable data protection laws. User data is never shared with third parties without explicit consent. Data is stored using industry-standard encryption protocols. Access to sensitive data is restricted to authorized personnel only, and we do not share or license user information to third-party vendors except where explicitly consented to or required by law. In the event of a data breach involving user information, we will notify affected individuals in accordance with applicable laws and within the legally mandated timeframe.
User Data Rights and Content Requests: Users may request access to, correction of, or deletion of their personal data—such as profile details, contact information, or account records—by contacting our privacy officer. Content or submission-related requests will be reviewed under our content and submission policies. All requests are subject to applicable law, reasonable effort, and practical timeframes.
Cookie and Tracking Disclosures: We provide clear explanations of our use of cookies and tracking technologies and offer accessible tools for users to manage their data preferences. Please make use of the Privacy Banner, setting your preferences upon first arrival on the site. Settings may be later adjusted via the Blue Fingerprint glyph in the lower left-hand corner.
Financial Transparency: We disclose our revenue sources—including affiliate income, donations, and grants—to support informed public trust and ensure transparency in our operations. We do not sell user data. Certain media components may utilize third-party cookies; these are limited to functional purposes and are subject to user consent where applicable. Note: As we continue our administrative and organizational development, formal financial reports are not yet required or available for public review. We will provide an update once this status changes and relevant documentation becomes accessible.
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6. Corrections, Updates, and Accountability
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Corrections: When a factual error is identified and confirmed, we will correct it promptly. Corrections will be clearly noted at the top or bottom of the article to ensure transparency.
Updates: Given the pace of change in gaming and related fields, we may update published content to reflect new developments. Substantive revisions will be footnoted for clarity.
Reader Input: We welcome reader feedback and factual corrections. If you spot an inaccuracy or editorial issue, please contact us at: gbamfs@gmail.com. All concerns are reviewed through a transparent editorial process.
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7. Contributions: Content, Rights, and Attribution
User Contributions Policy
We welcome user contributions—articles, guides, proposals, creative works, fan assets, and similar material—with the aim of fostering collaborative value and shared recognition. Contributors must disclose any relevant affiliations, conflicts of interest, or usage limitations at the time of submission, especially where content is intended for official or public-facing use. This ensures transparency and appropriate credit.
Ownership and License Terms
By default, formal submissions become the property of the organization upon acceptance. This transfer includes all rights necessary to use, reproduce, adapt, publish, and distribute the material in community and official contexts, in any format or medium, with attribution. This grant is perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-transferable. It includes the right to create archival copies and backups for internal preservation. Sublicensing to third parties is prohibited without a separate, express written agreement.
Contributors who wish to retain copyright ownership or impose usage restrictions must request and formalize such terms in writing at the time of submission. Requests for removal or modification of previously published material may be submitted to the editorial team for review, but are not guaranteed.
Exceptions and Informal Participation
Exceptions apply for visual artists, asset-makers, and demo creators who wish to retain control over the use of their work. Usage limitations may be indicated in the submission form, platform section, or relevant interface. When clearly marked, such terms supersede the default license and will be honored.
General participation—such as comments, informal suggestions, and discussion—may be quoted, referenced, or summarized for community purposes, with attribution as appropriate. These contributions do not constitute formal submissions unless expressly stated otherwise.
AI-Generated Content
Where AI-generated elements are present in submitted work, they must be disclosed where relevant (e.g., editorial, illustrative, or experimental contexts). Tags such as “includes AI-generated content” or “human-created” may be used to clarify authorship. A grace period and tagging tools are available to help contributors flag AI-involved content in legacy or ongoing work.
Contributor Warranties and Indemnification
By submitting content, contributors affirm that they possess the necessary rights, licenses, or permissions to grant the organization use of the material as described. Contributors agree to indemnify and hold harmless the organization from any claims, liabilities, or damages arising from submitted content that infringes on intellectual property, violates privacy or publicity rights, or breaches applicable laws or contractual obligations.
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8. Community Participation and Moderation
We encourage your participation across our articles, forums, Discord, in comment sections on social media content, on petitions, public proposals, at demos and events, etc. Our moderation philosophy is "less is more," based on principle clarity rather than heavy oversight.
Nevertheless, to ensure constructive engagement and compliance with applicable platform and regulatory requirements, content is subject to review. We prohibit unambiguous hate speech, targeted abuse, and sustained harassment. Or any other types of content strictly prohibited by local/national law. Outside of these necessary constraints, humor, dialog, critique, memes, and fair-minded disagreement are welcomed.
Participants engaging in community events or digital forums do so at their own risk. The organization is not liable for harm, injury, or loss resulting from user interactions, whether online or in person. By participating, users agree to hold the organization harmless for third-party conduct. That said, we practice best-effort stewardship. Mods act on threats, persistent disruption, or behavior that poisons the well. The space stays open—but not undefended.
This approach supports an open and collaborative environment while maintaining accountability and ethical standards.
9. Legal Compliance and Sensitive Topics
Adherence to Regulations: Our content complies with legal standards governing advertising, digital rights management, copyright and disclosure. Where applicable, we provide clear explanations of monetization systems, loot boxes, randomized mechanics (RNG), and/or eSport operational dynamics, especially when these intersect with regulatory or consumer protection concerns.
Structured Review Process: Every article undergoes multiple rounds of internal review, fact-checking, and legal scrutiny (where necessary) before publication.
Sensitive Content Handling: Material involving mature or sensitive themes is clearly labeled, with advisories, disclaimers, or trigger warnings as appropriate. We aim to minimize harm through transparent and respectful presentation.
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NDAs and Embargoes: We strictly honor all non-disclosure agreements and embargoes. When coverage is based on pre-release access or bound by contractual terms, this will be clearly disclosed. Pre-release materials are handled with care and in full compliance with applicable restrictions.
Transparency in Review: When embargoes affect content, a statement is included to inform readers of any limitations on the review process.
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Jurisdiction Clause: This agreement, and any claims, disputes, or legal matters arising from your use of this site, its services, content, or participation in affiliated platforms or events, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida, United States, without regard to conflict of laws principles. All such disputes must be exclusively resolved in either:
(a) the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court in and for Broward County, Florida; or
(b) the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division, where federal jurisdiction applies.
By accessing or using our services, you expressly consent to the personal jurisdiction and exclusive venue of these courts for any legal proceeding. This clause applies to all users, irrespective of location.
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10. Representation, Non-Discrimination, and Responsible Reporting
Representation: Our goal is to bring a wide range of perspectives in gaming to bear in our coverage, and to comment on issues facing the gaming community. Where appropriate, editorial coverage choices may reflect a preference for local, knowledgeable, and first-hand parties input in order to provide the highest value of information available to our membership and readers.
Anti-Discrimination: We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or stereotyping in any form—whether in our coverage or organizational conduct. Our work reflects a commitment to integrity, respect, and fair treatment of all individuals and subjects.
Ethical Storytelling: We balance comprehensive reporting with sensitivity to the human elements involved, particularly when covering stories with significant social or cultural impact. We believe authenticity is the wellspring of valuable, shared experience. We strive to "begin at home," setting an example here.
11. Social Media and Public Conduct
Professional Representation: Staff members are encouraged, to the best of their ability, to maintain separate professional and personal social media presences. Ensuring that personal opinions do not conflict with the site’s standards. As gamers with professional, public-facing roles and duties, we aim to reflect gamer culture and ethos, all while making our mark as upholding decorum and showing appropriate restraint.
Ethical Engagement Policy: All online communications by staff, and on our media, are expected to be respectful of gamer dignity, constructive, and free from harassment or libel. Cordial, considerate, and even-handed treatment of gamers, the gaming community, and gamer culture on the whole is essential. Everyone has their gripes, but our practice in the Brotherhood is to keep it "in the family." Or else make it clear where we stand, without undue, unnecessary engagement (ex: social media) with the potential to bring collateral harm to the organization and/or the the gaming community.
Enforceability Resolution: Any actions presented as representing the Brotherhood that may harm its reputation will be reviewed internally. Corrective measures will be taken as necessary. While specific disciplinary outcomes may remain confidential, acknowledgment that action was taken may be made public.
12. Merchandise Use and Conduct Disclaimer
Purchase or possession of official merchandise, apparel, or branded materials does not imply endorsement by, affiliation with, or membership in the Gaming Brethren Advocates Mutual-aid Federation & Society (GBAMFS). Buyers and wearers of such items act independently and are solely responsible for their conduct.
The organization expressly disclaims any liability for the actions, speech, or representations of individuals wearing or displaying our indicia. Misuse of merchandise, including but not limited to false claims of representation, affiliation, or endorsement, is prohibited and may result in legal action, especially where such use causes reputational harm or public confusion.
We reserve the right to restrict sales, void transactions, or disavow individuals or entities whose use of our merchandise is inconsistent with our values or public interest.
By purchasing or using our merchandise, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.
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13. Continuous Improvement and Review
Regular Policy Updates: This document is reviewed periodically to incorporate new industry standards, legal requirements, and technological advancements (e.g., developments in AI).
Feedback Integration: Feedback from our readers, contributors, and membership are all actively sought and considered in maintaining our ethical and editorial guidelines.
Training and Development: Staff receive onboarding and ongoing training in journalistic ethics, digital best practices, and legal compliance to maintain our high editorial standards.
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Questions, Comments, or Suggestions?
→ Reach out to us at gbamfs@gmail.com
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