Ethics Policy
At Alcasthq.com, our reputation is built on the trust of players who rely on our builds and guides to perform at their best. That trust is something we take seriously. This page explains the ethical standards we follow when publishing content and engaging with sponsors, the community, or developers.
No Pay-for-Placement, Ever
We do not accept payment in exchange for favorable content. If we recommend a gear set, skill bar, or strategy, it’s because we’ve used it, tested it, and believe it helps players succeed, not because someone paid us to mention a tool, product, or add-on.
This applies to everything on Alcasthq.com: builds, guides, overview pages, tier lists, and recommendations. If a strategy isn’t viable in-game, we won’t promote it.
Player-Tested, Not Theorized
All content on the site is tested directly in-game. Our builds are used in veteran trials, PvP environments, solo arenas, and daily gameplay. We don’t write guides based on second-hand sources, datamining, or guesswork.
If we say something works, it’s because it has worked for us, or for the players we’ve tested and played with.
Sponsored Content Disclosure
We rarely publish sponsored content. When we do, it is:
- Clearly labeled at the top of the article or video
- Kept entirely separate from our editorial and build recommendations
- Accepted only if the product or service is directly relevant to our community
Affiliate Links & Monetization
Some links on Alcasthq.com may be affiliate links. These help support the site and our content creation, but they never influence what we recommend. If we link to something, it’s because we use it ourselves or genuinely think it’s useful for our readers.
We’re fully transparent about affiliate relationships. If a page includes affiliate links, we clearly state it.
Early Access, Review Keys, and Testing
Sometimes we get access to upcoming content through the Public Test Server (PTS), or receive review keys for new games. When this happens:
- We disclose it clearly in the content
- We don’t accept any terms that restrict what we can say
- We still only publish content based on our own testing and honest assessment
For ESO specifically, we often begin creating builds on the PTS to prepare in advance, but we always refine and finalize those builds once the patch goes live. Live-server experience is what ultimately informs our recommendations.
Community-First Approach
Our loyalty is to the players who use this site, not to publishers, sponsors, or partners. We take feedback seriously, especially when it helps us improve the accuracy of a guide or remove outdated information. At the end of the day, we’re a player-first website.
If you notice something wrong or have suggestions for improvement, jump into our Discord server and share your feedback. We review and address valid reports as quickly as possible.
Final Word
We’re a site built by players, for players. Everything we publish reflects how we actually play, test, and experience the games we cover. That’s how Alcasthq.com has built trust with millions of players — and it’s how we plan to keep it.
