What Spoils a Game For You? 214
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?
What really gets my goat? (Score:5, Funny)
The worst part about people spoiling a game for you is them telling you that Aeris dies.
When my Mom... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:A few talking points to jot down here... (Score:5, Funny)
I hate games with no ending!
Re:What really gets my goat? (Score:3, 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 ;).
Re:Reporting about plot twists (Score:4, Funny)
Are you trying to imply that the headline is misleading and/or ambiguous? Let me remind you, sir, that this is slashdot.
Re:IMHO it's more complex (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.