The Simple Reason I Stopped Hearing From Both Razer and Digital Extremes

A peek behind the curtain

Photo taken by the author.

I buy the vast majority of the tech products and video games I cover out of my own pocket, and I never use affiliate links to help cover my expenses, instead preferring direct reader support through Medium memberships. I think this is an ethically sound way for me to maintain critical distance from the products I’m purporting to review, and although I know that it’s closer to a bygone era of monetization around this sort of content, I still think it’s a healthier business model.

I couldn’t sleep at night if I benefitted directly from the sales of the products and games I’m supposed to be criticizing. More and more, as I look around the internet, it seems like that ethos applies to a dwindling number of creators.

Sometimes, I do receive products from companies. However, I don’t ever monetize review articles based on product samples I’ve been sent, and I always disclose as much information as possible about the arrangement between myself and the company. The only term that I’m usually willing to accept is a release date embargo. Otherwise I like to retain full editorial control over my content.

I’ve received products and/or early review assets from HyperX, Turtle Beach, Razer, and Digital Extremes (the…