What Spoils a Game For You?

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?

Comments

Poor atmosphere, Unrealistic stuff

[unity100]

they totally kill the game for me. let me give an example:

there are many games coming out set in spanish main, bent on buccaneering, privateering, pirating and such, after the success of pirates of the caribbean movie and all that pirate hype.

you get the game, its set in 1600s, there are huge towering carracks and all that galleonish piratish ships advertised in cover of the box. but you start playing, but you immediately notice 2 things :

ships are not of 1600s, but 1700s. it matters a great deal, because with that specific 100 years you go from towering carracks, galleons to low, flat, standard age of sail frigates. the main focus of the game, the ships, are totally out of place.

and another thing, music, atmosphere sucks. some put in carribbean/reggae music, something that does not have any realistic connection to the age game is portraying. a product of late 150 years is being put in, because some people think its 'caribbean'. couple this with all the other atmosphere elements that are out of place, like 1600s people wearing 1750s outfits, even napoleonic hats and so on, you totally lose the atmosphere. it doesnt feel like it anymore.

same important criteria is valid for every other game. be it star wars or call of duty, any game needs to follow the two important premises of realistic elements (even if its a fantasy game, we have certain acceptable limits to what can be shoved in), and atmosphere. if these two lack, the game sucks. big time.

Re:IMHO it's more complex

[Hognoxious]

tl;dr