The UndergrowthGames contributor keyword is bringing in more searches, and many people want to know if it is a real chance to write about games. The short answer is that the proof is thin. When we searched Google, we found a few pages that talk about the name, but we did not find an official contributor page, a named editor, or clear pay rules. This guide shows you what we found, why the name can be confusing, and how you can check any gaming contributor offer before you spend your time on it.
What does “UndergrowthGames contributor” mean?
An UndergrowthGames contributor is someone who adds content, such as articles, guides, or posts, to a site or group that uses the name UndergrowthGames. The word “contributor” is simple. It means a person who gives work to a project. That person may be a paid writer, a guest author, or a volunteer.
In the gaming world, contributors do many kinds of work. Some write news and reviews. Some write guides that help players finish a hard level. Some share dev diaries, which are short posts where a game maker explains how a game is being built. Others make videos, art, or maps.
The problem is that this keyword does not point to a well-known brand. You will not find it next to names like IGN or Polygon. So before you say yes to any offer that uses this name, you need to check who is behind it.
What does Google show when you search this keyword?
Google shows only a small set of pages, and none of them looks like an official contributor program. We searched the exact keyword and a few close versions, and the results fell into four groups.
1. A guide page on Magzify. This page says that online listings describe content creation chances under the name. It also says the background of the name does not appear in major verified media lists or gaming journalism lists. The page then explains how to check any gaming contributor role. It says real gaming media usually shares its contributor process in the open, with clear rules, editor contacts, and a way to send work. Magzify is a general magazine site, so treat this as a helpful opinion and not as an official statement from UndergrowthGames.
2. A short description on a crowdfunding profile. One page says UndergrowthGames.com is a community where indie game makers share new ideas, post dev diaries, work together, and get feedback. This text sits on a user profile page of a crowdfunding site, which is an odd place for a gaming site description. We do not treat it as proof that the community is active or that it has a contributor program.
3. Pages about other things with a similar name. These include comment pages on itch.io and the wiki for a game called Empires of the Undergrowth. We explain these in the next sections.
4. Nothing from the owners. We did not find a “write for us” page, a contributor form, or a contact page that clearly belongs to a site with this name.
This does not prove that the site is fake. It only shows that the public proof is weak. When proof is weak, it is wise to go slowly.
Is the UndergrowthGames contributor offer real?
We could not confirm that it is a real, paid contributor role. A real offer usually has a few simple things: a named editor, written rules, a way to send a pitch, and clear words about pay and rights. We did not find these things in public.
That is not the same as saying the offer is a scam. Small indie sites often have thin pages, and many small teams are honest. But a thin page means the burden is on the owners to show who they are. You should not have to guess.
Here is a fair way to think about it:
- If the owners answer your questions fast, name real people, and give you written terms, the offer may be fine.
- If the owners are vague, ask you to pay, or push you to send work before they answer your questions, stop.
Why is the name easy to mix up with other things?
The name looks like several other things that exist online, so people often land on the wrong page. Here are the three main ones we saw.
Empires of the Undergrowth. This is an ant colony game. Its official wiki is hosted by Hooded Horse, a publisher that runs wikis for many games. Wiki pages have “user contributions” lists, which show what each editor changed. That is likely why the word “contributor” shows up in search results with the word “Undergrowth.” We found nothing that links this game to a contributor program called UndergrowthGames.
An itch.io account named Undergrowth Games. On itch.io, a site where indie developers share games, an account with this name left a short, friendly comment on another developer’s game page. This shows the name is used in indie circles. It does not show that the account runs a contributor program.
A game called Undergrowth. There are also comment pages for a game with the plain name “Undergrowth” on itch.io. It is a different thing again.
The lesson is simple. When a name is close to many other names, do not trust a search result just because it uses the same word. Check that the page really belongs to the group you mean.
What are the red flags in a gaming contributor offer?
A red flag is a small warning sign. One sign alone may be a mistake, but several signs together mean you should stop. Guest posting experts and site owners point to the same signs again and again:
- No named editor. A real site has a real editor with a profile and a work history. One guest post expert warns about sites where every post is signed “Admin” or has a stock photo as the author.
- Vague rules. The Magzify guide warns about rules like “write about games” with no topics, no word counts, and no style guide.
- A free email address. One publishing blog says a real publication gives people an email address that matches its own website. A free mail address on its own is a warning sign.
- No trace of real people. The same blog says it is a red flag when you cannot find a person on Google or LinkedIn. Not everyone is on LinkedIn, but a total lack of proof is odd.
- A request for money. One guest post guide says that if a site asks for a fee to publish your work, you should walk away.
- A request to add links. Blog owners say scam offers often come with a small favor, such as placing a link or two in the text. That can hurt your own site.
- Strange traffic. A guest post expert says a real site grows slowly over time, about 20 to 30 percent a year, with bumps after a big post. A site with a huge score but no real visitors is a warning sign.
- Praise with no details. Offers that say “I love your site” but never name a post are usually copied and sent to many people.
If you see two or three of these, step back.
How can you check a contributor offer step by step?
You can check almost any gaming contributor offer in about thirty minutes with free tools. Follow these steps in order.
- Search the exact name. Type the name in quotes with words like “reviews,” “editor,” or “about.” See what comes up. Look at more than the first page.
- Look for an About page and a Contact page. A real site tells you who runs it. Look for names, a business address, or at least a working contact form.
- Look for named writers. Click on a few authors. Do they have profiles? Can you find their work on other sites?
- Read the contributor rules. Real sites explain topics, length, style, and how long it takes to hear back. Every site has its own tone, so rules help you match it.
- Check how fresh the site is. See when the last post went live. A site with no new posts for a year is not a good home for your work.
- Check for real visitors. Look at comments, social pages, and any public traffic data. A good score with no organic search traffic is a warning sign.
- Send one clear question by email. Ask about pay, rights, and edits. Then notice how the owners reply. A real team usually answers plainly and on time.
If the site passes these steps, you can move on to a pitch. If it fails two or three, look somewhere else.
What should you ask before you send any work?
Ask about money, rights, and your name before you write a single word. These three things protect you.
Money. Ask if the role is paid. If it is, ask how much, when you get paid, and how. If it is unpaid, ask what you get in return, such as a bio, a link to your own page, or a chance to grow into a paid role. Do not pay to take part.
Rights. Ask who owns the article after it goes live. Can you reuse it in your portfolio? Can you post it on your own blog later? Get the answer in writing.
Credit. Ask if your real name will appear on the post, with a short bio. A post signed “Admin” does not help you build a name.
Also ask about edits. Will an editor change your work? Will you see the changes before the post goes live? These questions are normal. A real team will not be upset by them.
How do payment and safety work for contributors?
Payment should always be clear, written, and never start with you paying. This is true for gaming sites and for any other site.
Guest post marketplaces give some useful ideas here, even though they are written for people who buy posts. One guide says a trusted marketplace holds payment until the order is done, and it warns people never to send money by friends-and-family transfers, crypto with no way to get it back, or direct bank transfers. A good rule for writers is the same. If someone wants you to pay first, or wants money in a way that you cannot undo, say no.
Another safety tip is to keep a record. Save every email, every draft, and every link. If the site goes offline, you still have proof of what you wrote and when. One expert also notes that posts on weak sites can disappear, and a deleted post cannot help your portfolio.
What do Google’s rules say about guest posts?
Guest posting is fine when the goal is to share useful content, but it is not fine when it is a trick to get links. Matt Cutts, who spoke for Google on this topic years ago, said that guest blogging should be about real content and not a paid link scheme. He also said that posting on a different site every day would look like spam.
The details of search rules can change, so check Google’s own help pages for the latest version. The main idea is still the same. Write for readers first. Keep your links on topic. Do not buy or sell links to improve rankings.
For a gaming writer, this means you should choose sites that match your topic and write pieces that help people. Do not send the same article to ten sites.
Where can you find safer places to write about games?
Start with sites that publish their own rules in the open. Large gaming sites often share how to pitch, what topics they want, and how much they pay. The Magzify guide points to well-known names such as IGN, Polygon, and Game Developer as examples of outlets that are easy to check.
You can also search Google with a phrase like “write for us” along with the word “games” or “indie games.” Guest post guides suggest this trick. Then read the rules and make sure the site wants the kind of piece you plan to send.
If you are new, build your own samples first. You can start a small blog, or you can share dev diaries and short posts on a site like itch.io, which has areas for developer logs and community posts. A few clear, well-edited pieces will help you get a yes from a real editor later.
What if you run a website and get a contributor pitch?
Check the person first. Real offers usually use your name, mention something specific about your site, and let you read the work before you agree. One blog says a spam pitch often has a vague line like “I am a big fan of your content” with no detail.
Be careful about extra links. Several site owners say that scam pitches ask you to add a link or two in return. If you cannot find the person on Google or LinkedIn, or if they use a free email address, be even more careful. When in doubt, say no. Your site’s name is worth more than one free post.
Final thoughts
The UndergrowthGames contributor offer is not proven. We found a few pages that mention it, but we did not find an official contributor page, a named editor, or clear pay terms. The name is also close to other names, like the Empires of the Undergrowth game, which can confuse search results. If you want to take part, go slowly. Check the site, ask about pay and rights, keep your emails, and never pay to write. A real team will have simple answers, and you will feel safe working with them.
FAQs
1. What is an UndergrowthGames contributor?
An UndergrowthGames contributor is a person who writes or shares content for a site or group using that name. The term is not tied to one official program. Online pages describe it as a chance to write or create gaming content, but we found no clear public rules from the owners.
2. Is UndergrowthGames contributor a real job?
We could not confirm that it is a real paid job. The pages we found do not show pay rates, an editor’s name, or clear rules. One review page also says the site is missing from major verified media lists. Treat it as unproven until the owners answer your questions in writing.
3. Does UndergrowthGames pay contributors?
We found no public proof of payment. No page we checked listed pay rates, payment dates, or a contract. Always ask about money before you write anything. If the owners avoid the question, or ask you to pay first, walk away and keep your work for a safer place.
4. Is UndergrowthGames the same as Empires of the Undergrowth?
No. Empires of the Undergrowth is an ant game with an official wiki hosted by Hooded Horse. Its wiki has user contribution pages, which may be why the word contributor appears in search results. We found nothing that links that game to a contributor program called UndergrowthGames.
5. Should I share my writing with them before they reply?
No. Send only a short pitch first, not a full article. Ask for the rules, the pay, and who owns the work. A site with no clear rules may use your work however it likes. Wait for a clear answer before you share more.
6. What are the biggest red flags?
Watch for vague rules, no named editor, a free email address, and requests for money. Experts on guest posting also warn about posts signed only by Admin and sites with no real traffic. One red flag may be an accident. Three or four together mean you should stop.
7. How can I check if a gaming site is real?
Search the site name with words like about, editor, and contact. Look for named writers with real profiles. Check that the site has fresh posts and real visitors. Read the contributor rules. Then email one question and see how fast and clearly the owners answer. Real teams usually answer plainly.
8. Can I use contributor work in my portfolio?
Yes, if the site allows it and your work is public under your name. Ask the owners before you reuse it. Keep a copy of every draft and every email. A good portfolio piece shows clear writing, correct facts, and a real link. If the site disappears, your saved copy still proves your work.
9. Is guest posting allowed by Google?
Yes, guest posting is fine when the goal is to share useful content. Matt Cutts, who spoke for Google on this topic, warned against paid link schemes and posting on a new site every day. Write for readers first, keep links relevant, and do not buy or sell links for rankings.
10. What should I do if the owners ask me to pay?
Be very careful. Real publishers do not usually charge writers to join. Guest post experts say a fee to publish your work is a warning sign. Never send money by direct transfer, crypto, or friends and family payments. If you still want to go ahead, use a service that holds payment safely.
