34 thoughts on “O Reviewer, Reviewer wherefore art thou!”

1. 

   Greg on July 15, 2013

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   I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ for putting this list together – I’ve found it really helpful and have already got in touch with a whole bunch of cool people through it.

2. 

   Christian Lemay on July 24, 2013

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   Wow! Just wow! Thanks!
   Great website!

3. 

   Mark Wallace on August 7, 2013

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   What if I’m a reviewer and I want to get in your spreadsheet?

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     James Mathe on August 7, 2013

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     Just fill out the survey and then nag me to update the PDF

4. 

   Roger Hicks on August 26, 2013

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   I submitted a new response to your survey as my information and readership has changed substantially over the past month. Feel free to remove my previous response from the list (BobTHJ). Thanks so much for maintaining this list!

5. 

   Patrick Kelly on November 4, 2013

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   James, We just added our podcast to your list, but I wanted to let you know that many in community speak very highly of you and your efforts. Thank you for compiling this list and your efforts on behalf of the reviewer community generally.

6. 

   Chris Hamm on November 13, 2013

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   Hello James,

   I have filled out the survey and would greatly appreciate being added to the pdf when you have the time. In addition, as an aspiring designer as well as a reviewer, I look forward to making use of this list when the day arrives that I need it from the other end. Thank you for creating this amazing resource and supporting the gaming community in general!

7. 

   Matt Drake on February 13, 2014

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   James, I’m not sure I’m in the right category for readers. I am flattered, but I’m not sure there are more than seven or eight people who read Drake’s Flames on a regular basis. And they’re almost all misanthropes.

8. 

   Jacob Coon on September 1, 2014

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   I am a freelance reviewer writing reviews for Whose Turn is it Anyway podcast and Indie Cardboard. Is it possible to get added to this list even without having my own space?

   • 

     James Mathe on September 1, 2014

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     Not sure what you mean by “your own space”… but yes, all reviewers are welcome to send me their information for this table via the CONTACT ME link at the top of this site.

9. 

   Carlos G. Q. on November 20, 2014

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   Hi,

   I have been going through the list and I found a few of things that you might want to know to update it. I hope it helps 🙂

   The Spiel (http://thespiel.net) the list says that they sometimes review KS, but this in their website:
   “Please Note: We do not cover/review unreleased Kickstarter games. We limit our coverage to games that are currently available. If you are looking for publicity for a Kickstarter campaign, check out our sponsorship ad opportunities.”

   There is a typo in Crits Happen’s website, which means that if you copy and past it, it fails. www,critshappen.com As you can see between the www and the address there is a , instead of a .

   Undead Viking has 11.073 followers in youtube, but he is now in the 2,000-5,000 range.

   Great list!

   • 

     James Mathe on November 20, 2014

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     Thanks for the updates, changes made.

10. 

    Carl on May 6, 2015

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    I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. The wonders of the internet brought me here, and I am happy to have found you.

11. 

    Kelsey King on May 30, 2015

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    Thanks for making this list! I’d love to see it as a Google doc or something that can be downloaded.

    Also, to make sure, the ‘No’ means that they won’t review *Kickstarters,* right? But they might review a prototype before a Kickstarter is even announced? Our plan is to make a PnP but wait until we have a number of downloads before launching.

    Thanks again for this list. This site is an amazing resource.

    • 

      James Mathe on May 30, 2015

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      No means no they will not look at an unpublished, non-final game. They will NOT look at prototypes even if not for Kickstarter. They only want finished games.

      • 

        Kelsey King on May 30, 2015

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        Great, thanks for the clarification.

12. 

    JohnWrot! on June 10, 2015

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    Wonderful, James. Thanks for this list on behalf of everyone ever. : )
    Question: What percentage of the “Yes, free” folks do you think ask for a free copy of the game post funding, even though they say “free”? Thanks again.

    • 

      James Mathe on June 10, 2015

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      Probably most all of them.

13. 

    Doc Marten on July 11, 2015

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    James you are a god! I’ve been looking for something like this forever. This is insanely helpful for the ‘live in a cave’ designer like me. Can’t thank you enough!

14. 

    Chris Batarlis on September 19, 2015

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    Hey James!

    Great List!

    Would you recommend this list as a good list to use for a “Press Release”? About a Kickstarter and a new Game?

    • 

      James Mathe on September 19, 2015

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      No this list is for people to review your actual game… it is not a news or press release listing. Only contact these people if you’re willing to send them a game.

      • 

        Chris Batarlis on September 19, 2015

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        Does such a list exist? And do you think it’s appropriate to send a kickstarter press release in this manner while also inquiring about whether or not they’re interested in a review copy?

15. 

    Robert Miedel on June 11, 2016

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    I have been using your list to help me find reviewers for my game. I truly appreciate it, and it has been a great resource.

    I’m sure its a constantly updating list, so I thought you might like to know that Board Game Authority does charge $15 for reviews.

16. 

    Laurens on August 31, 2016

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    Great list! What would be valuable for me would be an extra field that says whether the reviewer accepts print&play files or not. And possibly what type of games they mainly play or don’t want to play. But I recall that a list like that exists somewhere, though not as extensive.

    • 

      James Mathe on August 31, 2016

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      99% of them will not. Think about it. Not only are you asking them to make you a video but now you’re asking them to spend time AND MONEY to build a prototype? That’s rare and not going to happen. Frankly you shouldn’t even ask as it’s just rude.

17. 

    Ilya on September 10, 2016

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    Awesome resource, saved me days of work!

18. 

    Dan on May 21, 2017

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    Is anyone verifying the data here? I see a couple of over 5000 that do not have that many followers.

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      James Mathe on May 21, 2017

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      For the audience, no one is auditing that data. It’s what is submitted to us. If you notice an error or obvious overstatement, please use the contact us link and tell me about it and I’ll adjust it.

19. 

    Fedja on September 28, 2017

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    I am reaching out to a few reviewers for my name game and I think this list requires some updates. For example: Tantrum house does paid reviews as well. Do I send you the updates for you to update this list?

    • 

      James Mathe on September 28, 2017

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      Yeah if you find any data out of sync then please just use the contact form to send me the specific updates.

20. 

    Sam Oplinger on October 9, 2017

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    Thanks for this, Mr. Mathe! 🙂

    When you say “adult” do you mean no games only appropriate for adults, like Cards Against Humanity? What about games that just have high violence and/or complexity that render not suitable for younger kids? When I think “adult game” I think of those sexy dice rolling kinds of games. Thanks again, you rock dude!

    • 

      James Mathe on October 9, 2017

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      As in not appropriate content for kids like sex and extreme violence. But yeah, mostly CAH type games.

21. 

    Aaron Smith on February 21, 2018

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    Muchos gracias, James!!! Your blogs are invaluable to designers like myself. May you have a special place in Gamer Heaven.

22. 

    Tomas Fuentes on May 8, 2018

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    Hi James,
    I’m not understanding how it works. Do we pay for the reviewers to review the game, do we just send them a game or do
    they buy one if the game is popular? Forgive my ignorance.

    Thank you,
    Tomas

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