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What Spoils a Game For You?

Posted by Soulskill on from the spoiling-a-good-story-is-grounds-for-a-whoopin dept.

MTV's Multiplayer Blog is running an interesting piece about what constitutes a spoiler in video games. The interactivity of a video games, argues the author, often makes it necessary to spoil or reveal at least general characteristics of a game during a review or other informative article. He says, "I believe that writing about games is overly careful. I believe that game scripts, game plots and game endings have been given a pass because critics tend to avoid them or address them with the most ginger touch. I'd at least like the discussion about spoilers to cease being so binary. There is room between avoiding mentioning a plot event and reporting its main details. There is value to addressing anything and everything that is most interesting in a game, and value in doing it with words that express meaning rather than those designed to mask it." So, what do you consider a spoiler for a video game, and how do they affect your enjoyment of the game?

6 of 214 comments (clear)

  1. What really gets my goat? by MindlessAutomata · · Score: 5, Funny

    The worst part about people spoiling a game for you is them telling you that Aeris dies.

    1. Re:What really gets my goat? by Kokuyo · · Score: 2, Funny

      You're right, of course, but there are exceptions. For instance, I'm going to spoil the fact that the first three Star Wars Episodes suck donkey ass very early on for my own kids. I just can't imagine them being pissed at me over that. Well, at least not until they've actually seen them ;).

  2. When my Mom... by feepness · · Score: 2, Funny

    Won't bring me chocolate milk!!!

  3. Re:A few talking points to jot down here... by xstonedogx · · Score: 4, Funny

    I hate games with no ending!

  4. Re:Reporting about plot twists by edittard · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think too many people posting in this article didn't even bother reading the summary where it was asking about "spoilers," not what makes the game itself unfun.

    Are you trying to imply that the headline is misleading and/or ambiguous? Let me remind you, sir, that this is slashdot.

    --
    At the bottom of the /. main page it says 'Yesterday's News'. Well they got that right.
  5. Re:IMHO it's more complex by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I have a counter-point:

    I read a review of the original doom that mentioned the reviewer jumping out of his chair to avoid the fire ball from the IMP in the first level.

    When I finally played, I was a slow-moving fireball coming toward me. Not knowing how to make the character side-step (or not being able to because of the hallway?), I jumped out of my chair.