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Spoil.  The dictionary defines it as "to damage severely or harm."  When I think of spoiling, I think of rotten fruit turning nasty colors in the back of the fridge.  Nobody wants that.  But in the world of gaming, it seems that spoilers are rampant.  There's an entire section of our society that take unending delight in "damaging severely" the experience of the next gamer.  

The subject came up over the weekend in regards to a story Kotaku put up  about Batman Arkham City.  I won't link you the article, but rather an article McKinley Noble over at Gamepro wrote in response to the issue, because frankly, I can't condone the practice of destroying the experience of my readers.  It's not that I'm blameless in this sphere: I've had my brushes with accidentally spoiling stories without warning readers ahead of time -- but the operative word here is accidental.  

Personally I hate spoilers of any kind, and I have a hard time understanding the mentality that enjoys ruining an experience for someone else.  But maybe I'm short sighted here.  What do you think?  Are spoilers really as bad as they say? Is there something I'm missing? 

13 Comments for this post.
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Hmm.. Spoilers are just awful. But I say that in-terms of story. You should never spoil a story, it's a sin and part of the 10 Game-mendments that I just made up right now. It almost defeats the purpose of venturing into the campaign mode of the game to find out the epic conclusion when you already know the epic conclusion... so is it not epic anymore?

Other than that, I want to know what levels they're going to have in CoD, dungeons in Star Wars:Old Republic, Guns i'll use in Halo 4.... I guess those would be "leaks" and not exactly the negativity the word "spoiler" brings.


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I agree with Chaobo on this one. Giving away facts about a games storyline without first warning the reader is pretty bad. It could potentially ruin a very good game for someone, and there is no way to undo it. As far small facts about the game (i.e. guns and levels and such) I see nothing wrong with that. All they do is get me more excited to play the game in most cases and don't really give away anything harmful to the game playing experience.


[Sir Loin of Beef] @ 2:10:34 PM Oct 4, 2011
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I avoid most internet forums for at least a week just to avoid spoilers.

Obviously I'm not surprised Kotaku started the whole thing. I don't exactly have the highest level of respect for them.


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Not a fan of spoilers myself but then again people have come to over use the term. If it truly damages the experience of the story, then yes it is a spoiler. I've seen cases where it was just information regarding the storyline itself and not really anything revealing over all plot twists or Hitchcock endings. 

It's a perception thing most of the time. That said, bad Kotaku, someone needs to slap their hand away from the cookie jar.


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A spoiled story is as good as spoiled milk IMO!!!


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Disgusting and smelly?


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Ahaha, I didn't say it was like spoiled milk!... but yeah, pretty much!


[Fragnotmyass] @ 4:55:34 PM Oct 4, 2011
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Spoiling the game is what brings the hype down. I was so hyped for gears of war 3, i was looking up videos of it on youtube. like multiplayer and horde/beast mode gameplay footage. down at the suggestion bar had a video title "Caution, Spoilers, so and so dies" I added the so and so. but the title labeled the spoiler. I was so bummed out. If someone spoils anything big again, i will track them down and strangle them until there mother pulls me apart.


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haha, that sucks Ohan, I would be pretty pissed off if a game I was looking forward too got ruined like that. Fortunately I've been able to avoid them to this point... :)


[Fragnotmyass] @ 5:28:25 PM Oct 5, 2011
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Well, the trick is now to never search your game that you are looking for on youtube haha


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haha, which I have done multiple times, I guess I'm just lucky :)


[Fragnotmyass] @ 9:44:18 PM Oct 5, 2011
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Its a Trap!! that you have not yet triggered


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Spoilers aren't bad if you actually go out and purposely look for them. If they pop up without warning, then that is bad. If you don't enjoy spoilers, then stay away from user based articles and videos.


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