Receiving coverage from game outlets is often the difference between success and obscurity, especially for indie developers.

The endorsement of many journalists, though, seems to be based not on merit, but on connections. Starting in August 2014, numerous conflicts of interest were progressively uncovered, with the same names constantly popping out and giving the strong appearance of a systematic web of cronyism and corruption, where privileged access to the gaming industry is given to those in the right journalists’ clique.