> DISCLOSURE_PROTOCOL

Advertising Disclosure

Grid Lock is committed to transparency in all our business relationships. This disclosure explains how we may be compensated for advertising, affiliate partnerships, and sponsored content on our website.

Last updated: October 24, 2025

Our Transparency Commitment

We believe in maintaining honest and transparent relationships with our website visitors and clients. This page outlines all material connections and compensation arrangements that may influence the content on our website.

Our recommendations and professional opinions are based on our experience and expertise in arcade game development. Financial relationships disclosed here do not compromise the integrity of our services or professional judgment.

Affiliate Relationships

What Are Affiliate Programs?

Affiliate programs allow us to earn commissions when visitors click on certain links and make purchases from partner companies. These arrangements help support our operations and allow us to continue providing valuable content and services.

How We Use Affiliate Links

We may participate in affiliate programs for:

  • Development tools and software platforms we recommend
  • Educational resources relevant to game development
  • Hardware and technical equipment useful for arcade development
  • Services that complement our offerings

Our Recommendation Policy

We only recommend products, services, and resources that we have personally evaluated or believe offer genuine value to our audience. Affiliate compensation does not influence whether we recommend a product – we base recommendations on quality, relevance, and utility for game developers.

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Posts and Articles

Occasionally, we may publish content sponsored by third parties. All sponsored content is clearly labeled as "Sponsored," "Paid Partnership," or with similar designations. Sponsored content undergoes the same quality standards as our regular content but represents a paid relationship with the sponsor.

Brand Partnerships

We may enter into partnerships with companies whose products or services align with our industry expertise. These partnerships may involve compensation in exchange for featured content, case studies, or product mentions. All such partnerships are disclosed within the relevant content.

Editorial Independence

While we accept sponsored content, we maintain editorial control over what appears on our website. We reserve the right to decline sponsorship opportunities that do not align with our values, expertise, or audience interests. Sponsors do not dictate our overall editorial direction or non-sponsored content.

Third-Party Advertising

Advertising Networks

We may display advertisements served by third-party advertising networks. These networks use cookies and similar technologies to serve relevant ads based on your browsing behavior. We do not control the content of these advertisements or the practices of advertising networks.

Behavioral Targeting

Third-party advertisers may use information about your visits to this and other websites to provide advertisements about products and services that may interest you. This practice is known as behavioral targeting or retargeting. For more information about managing these preferences, please see our Cookie Policy.

Ad Relevance

While we strive to display relevant and appropriate advertisements, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or suitability of third-party ads. The presence of an advertisement on our website does not constitute an endorsement of the advertised product or service.

Professional Service Recommendations

As part of our comprehensive arcade development services, we may recommend complementary service providers such as:

  • Marketing agencies specializing in game promotion
  • Audio production studios for game sound design
  • Legal professionals experienced in gaming industry contracts
  • Distribution platforms and publishing partners

Some of these recommendations may involve referral arrangements where we receive compensation for successful introductions. We only recommend service providers we trust and believe offer quality services to our clients.

Your Rights and Controls

Managing Advertising Preferences

You have several options for managing your advertising experience:

  • Adjust cookie settings through our Cookie Policy page
  • Use browser settings to block or limit cookies
  • Opt out of personalized advertising through industry tools
  • Install browser extensions that manage advertising tracking

Data Collection for Advertising

Third-party advertising partners may collect data about your visits to this website for the purpose of serving targeted advertisements. This data collection is subject to their own privacy policies. For more information about how we handle data, please review our Privacy Policy.

Opting Out

If you prefer not to receive targeted advertisements, you can opt out through various industry opt-out mechanisms. Note that opting out does not mean you will see fewer ads, but rather that the ads you see will be less tailored to your interests.

Regulatory Compliance

FTC Guidelines

This disclosure is provided in accordance with guidelines from regulatory authorities including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding endorsements, testimonials, and advertising transparency. We strive to comply with all applicable advertising regulations and standards.

Material Connections

We disclose material connections between Grid Lock and any companies or individuals mentioned on our website when such relationships could reasonably affect the credibility of our content. This includes financial compensation, free products or services, or other material benefits received in exchange for content or recommendations.

Professional Standards

Our professional reputation is built on trust and expertise. We maintain the following standards regarding advertising and commercial relationships:

  • Clear disclosure of all material financial relationships
  • Honest representation of product and service capabilities
  • Independence in professional recommendations and opinions
  • Commitment to accuracy in all sponsored and non-sponsored content
  • Prioritization of audience interests over commercial incentives

No Guarantees or Warranties

While we provide information and recommendations in good faith:

  • We do not guarantee specific results from recommended products or services
  • Individual experiences with recommended resources may vary
  • Users should conduct their own research before making purchasing decisions
  • We are not responsible for the quality or performance of third-party products

Updates to This Disclosure

As our business relationships and advertising practices evolve, we may update this disclosure to reflect new arrangements or partnerships. We encourage visitors to review this page periodically to stay informed about our commercial relationships. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when changes were most recently made.

Questions About Advertising

If you have questions about our advertising practices, affiliate relationships, or any specific partnership disclosure, please contact us through our website. We are committed to maintaining transparency and addressing any concerns about our commercial relationships.

For general inquiries or to report concerns about advertising content, please use the contact information provided on our Contact page.