@Knightw0lf_0 streamers....the vast majority of them are not sponsored by anyone, but they also do not care much about the games. They care about viewership and the revenue. When it comes at youtubers i have only two that i can stomach (none of them in good graces with the big publishers): AngryJoe and Total Biscuit. As for actual streamers, i have yet to encounter one that i would like and consider relatively objective.
See...most of those streamers are not passionate about the games, but that's the most accessible subject for them. Due to the sheer numbers, you can rarely manage to spot the ones that actually care. Time will sort them out, though. When it comes to new forms of entertainment you will always have the opportunists, but in the end only the good ones remain. But it takes time and we are still at the beginning of the streaming boom.
Many streamers are promoting their channels (twitch or youtube) through giveaways. Those are paid from their own pockets, so they can have whatever rules they come up with.
Sponsored streamers are obligated through laws and rules to state clearly if they are doing a paid piece to advertise a product. Both youtube and twitch have those implemented. Sponsored streamers also have to follow a guideline and if they are doing a sponsored GA, they have to follow the guidelines imposed by the publisher (GA are in the form of a raffle, so anyone would get a fair chance and twitch has that implemented quite well).
I never put much stock in whatever streamers are saying or doing. That's a big offer and eventually i find a video that would actually show me whatever interests me: gameplay, story, possible bugs and so on. Don't care much about reviews, as that's quite a bit of time since they are biased (most of them, anyway). Customer reviews can't be trusted either, as there are documented cases of companies trying to manipulate those. And that kind of leaves us in the cold, as you do not have a trusted source for information. We need to read and view and put everything we've seen and read in balance. And then we decide if we want to go on with our purchase or use the money for something else.
As for GA, unless is something that the publisher does officially (for EA is On The House program or whatever they give to EA Play), i wouldn't fret too much. Never expect a handout, as life is not that easy. If someone makes a nice gesture, cool. Say thank you and that's it. If not, what did you lose?! But you can still be nice towards others and damn with those that are saying otherwise.
I do not work for EA and i am not associated with the company in any way. I am a player just like you, trying to help wherever i can.I will not answer to any unsolicited PM.
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