Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Video games/Sources

See also: Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Noticeboard

This talk page is for discussing the reliability of sources for use in video game articles. If you are wondering if a video game source is reliable enough to use on Wikipedia, this is the place to ask.

When posting a new topic, please add a link to the topic on Video Game Sources after the entry for the site. If an entry for the site does not exist, create one for it and include the link to the topic afterward. Also, begin each topic by adding {{subst:find video game sources|...site name...|linksearch=...site URL...}} in order to provide other users with some easily accessible links to check up on the source.

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PC Data

Find video game sources: "...PC Data..." – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · ... LinkTo

Although now defunct this source has been used many times throughout the years (I'm using it myself) so I'm surpised it hasn't been discussed here. I think it should be added reliable defunct sites. IGN [1], Computer Games Magazine [2], etc have used this site before. Timur9008 (talk) 09:25, 15 May 2025 (UTC)

VentureBeat

A discussion about VentureBeat's reliability is taking place at WP:RS/N. Vacant0 (talk • contribs) 18:50, 7 June 2025 (UTC)

As an extension of the discussion, a reminder that GamesBeat is now independent from VentureBeat, which means we'll need to re-evaluate the two sites separately -- Cyberlink420 (talk) 19:28, 10 June 2025 (UTC)

I'm shocked by how much crypto/blockchain coverage Gamesbeat is still putting out in 2025. Not a good look. Axem Titanium (talk) 07:02, 14 June 2025 (UTC)

Gayming Magazine

Find video game sources: "Gaming Magazine" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

Any opinions if this should be classified as reliable or unreliable? 🍕BP!🍕 (🔔) 18:39, 12 June 2025 (UTC)

There doesn't seem to be a special page for their staff nor editorial guidelines. Looking through their articles, I was able to find the authors but they do not seem to have any past experience in journalism. I see that, however, they have been mentioned in IGN, VentureBeat, PocketGamer, and GamesIndustry.biz, but all of these mentions seem to be related to the Gayming Awards, not their articles, so I'm unsure if WP:USEBYOTHERS would apply here (most likely not). Vacant0 (talk • contribs) 19:28, 12 June 2025 (UTC)

I think there may be a USEBYOTHERS case here, though for scholarly citations that I can see more than the ones listed. I think it would be safe to say they should be usable for topics to do with LGBT topics in media. - Cukie Gherkin (talk) 19:43, 12 June 2025 (UTC)

That sounds good to me. Vacant0 (talk • contribs) 19:45, 12 June 2025 (UTC)

Also, I just verified that at least one writer worked on Eurogamer: [3] - Cukie Gherkin (talk) 19:48, 12 June 2025 (UTC)

Okay, that's great. I wish that they had a page for editorial guidelines, but from what we've gathered and from articles that I've taken a look at, I'd say that they could be considered reliable for LGBTQ+ topics in the gaming space. Vacant0 (talk • contribs) 19:50, 12 June 2025 (UTC)

While I also cannot find any editorial policy indicated either directly on their website nor on that of their parent, Gray Jones Media, I can't see any issues with the quality of their content. One of their writers, Aimee Hart, states in their bio that they have written for The Verge and Polygon, so that's something. I'd say situationally usable unless any major disqualifying issues are found. silviaASH (inquire within) 19:49, 12 June 2025 (UTC)

Find this one to be reliable as per above comments. Having a source that specifically focuses on LGBTQ+ content is very useful, particularly and obviously to related articles. Soulbust (talk) 04:10, 18 June 2025 (UTC)

8bit/Digi

Find video game sources: "8bit/Digi" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

Anyone have any thoughts on if this is a reliable source? I've come across it in searches a few times but usually ignored it as it looked like a fairly mid-quality blog, but someone added it to the article on The Coffin of Andy and Leyley and that prompted me to investigate it a little more. The bylines of the writers don't indicate any meaningful credentials, but the site does indicate reasonable policies for editorial standards and sponsored content (at least in theory; I haven't closely scrutinized their output to see how well they follow it), so it's at least not got nothing. I guess if I had to say I'd classify it as situational, but I'm not sure. Would like to hear other opinions in any case. silviaASH (inquire within) 18:57, 12 June 2025 (UTC)

The founder and also the majority writer of the website is a former GamesBeat writer (VentureBeat is listed as a reliable source) and GameSkinny author (listed as an unreliable source). Others include: Stephen Wilds (a writer for Polyon and PC Gamer), Andrew McMahon (IGN, PCGamesN, GameSpot), Abigail Shannon (GamesRadar+), and James Bentley (PCGamer and GamesRadar+) - all of whom seem to be freelance writers. Considering that the site also has an editorial standars page, I'll lean reliable. Vacant0 (talk • contribs) 13:18, 16 June 2025 (UTC)

The Nerd Stash

Find video game sources: "The Nerd Stash" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

I wrote zh:瑪薇卡 (Mavuika in Genshin Impact) several days ago. During the source hunt, I found two articles written by Gabriela Jessica in this website: [4] and [5], both are good critics. Looking at their website, they have public profiles of their team, and a lengthy editorial policy. Looks pretty reliable to me. SuperGrey (talk) 01:36, 14 June 2025 (UTC)

Adventure Gamers turned into gambling promotion site by new owner

Find video game sources: "Adventure Gamers" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

Their About page changed recently (before and after). Here's a Reddit thread about it – apparently "Finixio/Clickout Media", a notorious SEO affiliate, is to blame. On the bright side, the old AG staff had already established Adventure Game Hotspot.--LaukkuTheGreit (Talk•Contribs) 05:58, 15 June 2025 (UTC)

"Expanding Into the Gambling Industry" 🤮 Well, unreliable as of the change. Home page is already filled with ads disguised as articles. Probably need to swap all current links with archived versions before all pages inevitably have gambling ads. —  HELLKNOWZ ∣ TALK 10:12, 15 June 2025 (UTC)

Time to make a request at WP:URLREQ?--LaukkuTheGreit (Talk•Contribs) 11:34, 15 June 2025 (UTC)

Added a linkrot request for this website. Fortunately the Wiki impact seems small with only 33 pages using it as a source. Sariel Xilo (talk) 15:21, 15 June 2025 (UTC)

The wrong URL was reported, the real one is used in 800+ articles.--LaukkuTheGreit (Talk•Contribs) 15:54, 15 June 2025 (UTC)

I updated the request right after you flagged the issue. Sariel Xilo (talk) 15:58, 15 June 2025 (UTC)

Support moving it to unreliable. I don't think it even had the strongest argument for reliability before all this happened. Sergecross73 msg me 13:54, 15 June 2025 (UTC)

Seconded. I think we would benefit from revisiting some sources that haven't been discussed in a long time or had improper discussions that considered them "reliable" (e.g. 2 participants in 2006) - just to do a quick wellness check. I might make a list of sources which fall under that soon. λ NegativeMP1 14:45, 15 June 2025 (UTC)

My impression is that (outside Wikipedia) it'd always been widely regarded as reputable and the go-to source on adventure games, with decades' worth of interviews with industry insiders, news, features and reviews.--LaukkuTheGreit (Talk•Contribs) 15:41, 15 June 2025 (UTC)

Adventure Game Hotspot really should be considered to take Adventure Gamers spot on the reliable sources list. Founded by former editor-in-chief, many former writers from AG. Tons of interviews from adventure game developers. Solid about & policies pages. --Mika1h (talk) 12:19, 16 June 2025 (UTC)

I also support moving them to unreliable due to this recent change. As Mika1h said, maybe we should consider AGH to take over their spot? Vacant0 (talk • contribs) 12:57, 16 June 2025 (UTC)

Their older material could be considered still valid, right? Apparently Jack Allin, the former editor-in-chief, was fired in 2022 which I hear led to a mass staff exodus and a rapid decline, and that date can serve as a cutoff point for reliability. That or when the current owners bought it, there has been casino spam for a while already before the explicit change in the About page.--LaukkuTheGreit (Talk•Contribs) 13:30, 16 June 2025 (UTC)

It seems to have happened sometime after May 22, no spam before that date: [6]. --Mika1h (talk) 15:19, 16 June 2025 (UTC)

This one hits hard. To focus on the constructive part, we can make it as unreliable, and preserve the content from before a certain date. With any luck, the writers at that site will be successful in future ventures. Shooterwalker (talk) 02:58, 17 June 2025 (UTC)

I think the writers moved onto Adventure Game Hotspot Cukie Gherkin (talk) 07:02, 17 June 2025 (UTC)

It goes farther back than I realized, found this article from December 2024: [7]. --Mika1h (talk) 15:28, 20 June 2025 (UTC)

May be worthwhile contacting the people who work at the new site to figure out the cutoff point Cukie Gherkin (talk) 05:59, 22 June 2025 (UTC)

I agree with this idea. Shooterwalker (talk) 03:03, 23 June 2025 (UTC)

So, J talked to the person who started AGH, and they stated that things went to trash in January 2021. Cukie Gherkin (talk) 03:35, 23 June 2025 (UTC)

@Mika1h: @LaukkuTheGreit: @Vacant0: @Shooterwalker: @Sergecross73: @Sariel Xilo: @Hellknowz: @NegativeMP1: Any objections to calling it unreliable beginning in January 2021? - Cukie Gherkin (talk) 16:18, 26 June 2025 (UTC)

• Support Sergecross73 msg me 16:20, 26 June 2025 (UTC)

Also support. λ NegativeMP1 16:22, 26 June 2025 (UTC)

+1 Vacant0 (talk • contribs) 16:50, 26 June 2025 (UTC)

• Support, with it remaining reliable before that time (it has among other things been praised by Time Extension, an RS, which I as far as I understand contributes to AG's reliability).--LaukkuTheGreit (Talk•Contribs) 17:48, 26 June 2025 (UTC)

Yes, as above, support calling it unreliable starting whenever the mess started. I haven't checked anything in detail, but if people who know what's going on say Jan 2021, then I suppose that is what that is. I suppose there could be conditional use in the period between depending on the author. —  HELLKNOWZ ∣ TALK 17:55, 26 June 2025 (UTC)

Support No strong feelings on exact date. I appreciate the effort to preserve some good content from an older period, while protecting Wikipedia from unreliable content beyond some point. Shooterwalker (talk) 16:38, 27 June 2025 (UTC)

+1 Support calling it unreliable after the website was essentially usurped. Similar to Hellknowz & Shooterwalker, I don't have a strong opinion on the exact cutoff date. Sariel Xilo (talk) 16:48, 27 June 2025 (UTC)

Inside, Game*Spark, and GameBusiness.jp

Find video game sources: "インサイド" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

Find video game sources: "Game*Spark" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

Find video game sources: "GameBusiness.jp" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

Here are a series of Japanese-language websites published by IID, Inc.. They also publish Fistbump News, which covers Riot Games titles, but these are their main three video game sites. Inside focuses on Japanese games, GameSpark on international titles, and GameBusiness on industry news (if you could believe it). The consensus from a a previous discussion seemed to lean in favor of reliablity, but thought I'd bring it up here again before I use it in an article. Inside and GameSpark both list an editorial team and authors are most often credited, which I consider a good sign for Japanese sources since this is not always the norm. GameSpark has 108 pages of developer interviews and organized a developer conference together with 4Gamer that most notably included Koei Tecmo, Atlas, and Konami. GameSpark have been cited by Siliconera, though I struggled to find anything for Inside (which I suspect is because of the name). In my opinion, these seem to be on par with other top Japanese sources so I would vote reliable―at least for GameSpark and Inside. IanTEB (talk) 17:51, 27 June 2025 (UTC)

• Reliable for all. I don't see any reason to doubt these. silviaASH (inquire within) 18:10, 27 June 2025 (UTC)
• Reliable for all Having used these three sources extensively in recent months, I can say they all appear high-quality, and the argument in favor of using them is solid. - Cukie Gherkin (talk) 18:29, 27 June 2025 (UTC)
• Reliable for all - I have used both Inside and Game Spark before. They have helped me greatly in some articles where i have used their write ups. Roberth Martinez (talk) 17:48, 28 June 2025 (UTC)
• Reliable for all, with caveat Chinese Wikipedia community has curated them all and approved their use, with one single catch: Inside and GameSpark were personal websites before acquisition in 2009 so articles published before 2009 should be taken with a grain of salt. MilkyDefer 08:48, 30 June 2025 (UTC)

Reliable for all - GameSpark has good coverage that might not be featured in other RS. Vacant0 (talk • contribs) 13:06, 1 July 2025 (UTC)

Esports News UK

Find video game sources: "Esports News UK" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

Didn't see this listed in WP:VG/RS at all, nor could I find any previous discussion assessing its reliability. Only mentioned in passing in two previous AFD discussions from 2018 and earlier this year. In the 2018 discussion, it was called "what appears to be a legit secondary source" and "really only one possibly good secondary source" by two separate editors. In the 2025 discussion, on Los Ratones and which ended in a no consensus, the nominator mentioned Esports News UK in their list of "reliable sources focused on esports", and another editor pointed out one of the Esports News UK sources used in the Los Ratones article as being written by "Dom Sacco, an award-winning esports journalist".

I figure we should probably have an actual assessment on this source, given how it is used on various articles including high-profile ones such as League of Legends World Championship, Esports World Cup, University of Warwick, Faker (gamer), One True King, Lando Norris, and even the main Esports article itself. Soulbust (talk) 22:16, 27 June 2025 (UTC)

I thought I created a discussion here for Esports News UK in the past (but apparently not), and I would have considered them reliable then. It appears that they have expanded into covering online gambling websites as of 2025. Their front page still seems to be the coverage of esports news, which is good, but it's not a shift that fills me with confidence for its reliablility. – Pbrks ^(t·c) 01:32, 28 June 2025 (UTC)

I very well could have missed that when searching for a discussion. I think if others think their expansion into covering online gambling websites causes ENUK to be considered not as reliable, maybe this could be deemed situationally reliable to allow for anything pre-2025 to be acceptable, with anything since 2025 to be considered on a more case-by-case basis. Or perhaps to still consider their non-gambling coverage as reliable? The website seems reliable to me, though I am not as well-versed with it, admittedly. Soulbust (talk) 22:50, 29 June 2025 (UTC)

Gamers With Glasses

Find video game sources: "Gamers With Glasses" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

Hi everyone. I need experts here to evaluate on whether this website could be considered reliable or not. They have an "About Us" page, but I think that you all can make better judgment than me about this. Thanks. PrimalMustelid (talk) 14:32, 30 June 2025 (UTC)

Looking at this site again, and while I said that I would like second opinions, I'm thinking that it could probably be considered unreliable. The site's contact states that it is a "volunteer-run collective" with no compensation offered. PrimalMustelid (talk) 15:14, 30 June 2025 (UTC)

80 Level

Find video game sources: "80 Level" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

All I could find about the website on Wikipedia is this attempt to discuss it last year. There is no apparent editorial policy, the gaming coverage appears to lean into explosive or scathing (like so) and used on Wikipedia accordingly. From looking up the website online, I found a reddit thread from seven years ago where people accuse it of content stealing. Its main author I see, Theodore McKenzie, has no apparent journalist credentials on the LinkedIn linked from his 80.lv page. The same person was previously known on the website as Fedor Nikitin from Perm, Russia. Let's discuss it at last? Daisy Blue (talk) 05:03, 1 July 2025 (UTC)

• I'm leaning unreliable. Nothing you've outlined is a good sign. Their About Us page only talks about followers, and spend a lot of time "promoting brands" and "helping people find talent" that makes them sound more like a marketing or job board type website? Nothing about editorial policy, standards, etc. They appear to have an established staff, though they're not outlined in any capacity besides name and job title. Sergecross73 msg me 13:02, 1 July 2025 (UTC)

I always thought L80 was a successful blogspam site, as far as "success" applies to these sites. Like they SEO hard and post anything about everything but there is some level of quality, generously-applied. But it never struck me as reliable or original. I haven't really looked into it though, so just a passing comment. —  HELLKNOWZ ∣ TALK 09:20, 3 July 2025 (UTC)

Found a recent reddit comment that accuses them of the same things as those people seven years ago. They even responded to it. On the other hand, looking at the current references to 80.lv on Wikipedia, it appears that most of the main space links are to interviews. If we assume that those are legitimate, does that make the source situational, or is an interview given to an unreliable source still okay to use on Wikipedia? Daisy Blue (talk) 01:22, 3 July 2025 (UTC)

Gamurs sold Dot Esports and The Escapist to a "private investor"

• Find video game sources: "Dot Esports" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo
• Find video game sources: "The Escapist" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

Per Aftermath: "Gamurs Group, owner of sites like Destructoid, Twinfinite, and The Mary Sue, announced the sale of two of its sites in June. Both Dot Esports and The Escapist have recently been sold to 'a private investor' according to press releases, though it's not apparent whether both have been sold to the same investor." It is unclear who the private investor is so editors should probably keep an eye out when using those websites in case quality changes. Sariel Xilo (talk) 19:49, 1 July 2025 (UTC)

Yeah, good thing to keep an eye on. Sergecross73 msg me 19:50, 1 July 2025 (UTC)

It's worth mentioning that The Escapist started publishing articles pushing gambling and casinos. It's only two from late-June, but as said in here, definitely keep an eye on them. They hid the casino articles from their latest posts feed. And they're written by someone from ClickOut Media who has the position "Lead Informational Gambling Editor". Their bio on The Escapist is all about betting, gambling, sports betting, horse races, e.g.

That aside, the staff page for The Escapist is also out of date since I think every editor listed was laid off months ago. I confirmed three of four, but it looks like all four are gone. The new editor not listed, also uses generative AI at a different website they're an editor at. They've confirmed themselves using genAI to make images for articles for ReadWrite. That doesn't mean it's happening here yet, however. Snakester95 (talk) 20:04, 2 July 2025 (UTC)

Oofh. That is a bummer; Escapist use to also be decent for ttrpg/actual play articles. Sariel Xilo (talk) 20:26, 2 July 2025 (UTC)

Thrilling Tales of Old Video Games

Find video game sources: "Thrilling Tales of Old Video Games" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

This is an odd one, but has some potential from the looks of things. It's run by Drew Mackie, who according to Muckrack has written for a variety of sources, and has been featured on Retronauts and The Video Game History Foundation. It also uses a professional translator, Fatimah Haji-Asiri, who lists her work history on her website. Lastly it has a copyeditor, Amy Smith, who lists her writing history on her own website. Kung Fu Man (talk) 22:52, 2 July 2025 (UTC)

superdope, yay or nay?

Find video game sources: "Superdope" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

i'm not a professional in this thing, so let's make it short

chinese news outlet, focused on games and gaming news. found them from this article on hero of law. not riddled with intrusive ads. looks reliable. is it? consarn _{(grave) (obituary)} 22:27, 3 July 2025 (UTC)

unrelated to the discussion part of this discussion, but is there a technical reason to subst the source template? i almost forgot to do that lol consarn _{(grave) (obituary)} 22:38, 3 July 2025 (UTC)

Indie Games Plus

Find video game sources: "Indie Games Plus" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR · free images · free news sources · TWL · NYT · WP reference · VG/RS · VG/RL · WPVG/Talk · LinkSearch · LinkTo

Another similarly odd source, with most articles being written by two of the site cofounders Joel Couture and Jupiter Hadley, the former of who has contributed to Siliconera and Game Developer and the latter of who has written for Pocket Gamer. Do let me know what you guys think of this source. PrimalMustelid (talk) 02:37, 5 July 2025 (UTC)

I was of the impression that we already considered this one reliable since it was mostly the continuation of IndieGames.com, including a backport of all of the old site's articles. IceWelder [✉] 09:43, 5 July 2025 (UTC)