Kotaku is inviting game developers, industry workers, community members and players to share information about the video game world. Its guide covers news tips, personal gaming stories and ways to contact the publication securely and anonymously.
The publication says it is interested in stories across gaming, including development, publishing, sales, workplace issues, studio closures and events within gaming communities. Tips may also include first-hand material such as photos, screenshots or video. Kotaku accepts press releases and pitches about upcoming games, interviews, previews and reviews, and recommends contacting an individual writer when there is an existing relationship or relevant coverage experience.
Tips can be sent to Kotaku’s general inbox, which the publication says is read by full-time staff and checked every hour. Readers can also contact individual writers through their details on the publication’s masthead. Kotaku says a lack of reply does not necessarily mean a tip has gone unread.
For sources who want to remain anonymous, Kotaku says a journalist may need to verify their identity and ability to know the information, but will keep that identity confidential. Published references to anonymous sources are generally kept broad, and the publication says it will check with sources about how they are described. It does not share full articles before publication, though journalists may review quotes with sources after speaking with them and discuss how the material is being used.
The guide advises anonymous sources not to contact Kotaku using work email, devices, computers or Wi-Fi. It suggests using personal accounts or devices, and says many writers can also be reached through Signal. For supporting documents or images, Kotaku recommends sending photos of materials rather than the original files when possible, and removing metadata before sharing.
Kotaku also welcomes stories about what players do, from unusual challenges and discoveries to community projects, events, mods and activity in games that have lost much of their audience. The publication encourages readers to send anything they consider interesting or worth sharing.
Sources: Kotaku.