Poll: What is the Appropriate Time Limit on Spoilers?

[ChaosDragon]

So I was thinking what the time limit on spoilers would be? 6 months? 1 year? I'm not really sure; and I want the Escapist's fine community to tell me.

Also a situation where you were involved in a spoiler for lulz.


It was early 2001; The last generation was about to take full effect; and I had just bought a PS1 and borrowed FF7. It was my first playthrough.

My friend had obviously played it, and gave me little hints. So imagine my surprise that I found a ultimate weapon for one of my party members on the first disc. I saved and I was telling my friend this at school the next day.

Friend - "Yeah, too bad you only get to use it for like 5 mins"

Me - "Huh? Why? Does she run away?"

Friend - "No...just..."

Me - "Do you have to give it back??"

Friend - "No, stupid, she dies!"

Me - O_O

of course this is like 4 years after the game's release; but... still...it was my first playthrough and I had no idea....

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

I'd say 6 months for a movie, a year for a game. More than likely if the person hasn't seen the new movie or played the new game after those periods of time have passed then they aren't really all that interested in getting it, and therefore spoilers are ok.

 

[Kieros]

I say that six months is the appropriate time for which spoilers become common knowledge. After that point, if you have not played it yet, it is your fault for going to places that may spoil it. However, if it is just you and a few friends, then if you do not know, but everyone else in the group does, then they should respect your right unless if you specifically want them to.

 

[merck88]

I think a big part is how long the game is. A larger game like Mass Effect I would say 6-8 weeks, something like Portal 2-I would give 2-3 weeks. Of course, if your posting on forums it's good practice to give spoiler warnings/tags until the end of time. There will always be that one person who's upset because they just started playing KOTOR for the first time and don't know

Spoiler

that you're Revan!

 

[Zantos]

I always try to put spoilers in tags. Don't have much of a problem with games because of the small number of gamers I know who like to annoy me, but for films it really annoys me when people recommend a film then spoil it for you. Notable mention goes to Saw and the Sixth Sense which I have never seen because the recommendation and spoiling happened in the same breath.

 

[TCPirate]

I have to say... up to 6 months for a film. Around a year for a game.
and i have to agree, if it's been 6 months and you still haven't seen a film, you're not really all that interested in it.

Personal Note: Spoilers are the worst thing ever. I found out about

Spoiler

The surprise twist in Shutter Island

before I'd even heard of the film.
Never saw it after that, despite my friend telling me it's a rather good film.

 

[Ordinaryundone]

Optimally never, because no matter how long its been you know that the moment you discuss a spoiler with someone it will just happen to be the one they didn't know. Even if its been years, sometimes decades, since the media was released. And then they have the gall to get upset at you!

My personal rule of thumb is: After 6 months, its fair game. Also, anything with a sequel is fair game, as knowledge of the sequel sort of spoils plot elements anyway (main character doesn't die, anyone in the sequel is probably lives, etc).

Also, some things are just ingrained in our culture that they simply are not spoilers anymore. If anyone seriously got upset at me for revealing that Darth Vader is Luke's father I would hit them.

 

[tippy2k2]

Optimally never, because no matter how long its been you know that the moment you discuss a spoiler with someone it will just happen to be the one they didn't know. Even if its been years, sometimes decades, since the media was released. And then they have the gall to get upset at you!

My personal rule of thumb is: After 6 months, its fair game. Also, anything with a sequel is fair game, as knowledge of the sequel sort of spoils plot elements anyway (main character doesn't die, anyone in the sequel is probably lives, etc).

Also, some things are just ingrained in our culture that they simply are not spoilers anymore. If anyone seriously got upset at me for revealing that Darth Vader is Luke's father I would hit them.

Vader is Luke's father?!? Yeah right, next you'll be telling me that Luke and Leia are siblings!

Anyway, in real life, forever is the spoiler time limit. I will ask anyone I know if they've seen/played X before I reveal anything.

On the internet, I feel a year is good for most things. Even then, use the damn spoiler tags! There are a number of classics that have been ruined because it's assumed you've seen in.

 

[the.gill123]

I think there isn't a time limit, I finaly got round to playing Silent Hill 2 a couple of years ago, I had heard that it was a good game for years, and avoided Yahtzees review for it so I wouldnt spoil it for myself. Unfortunatly when I was talking to a mate he just blurted out the ending, his defence was ' Well the games 7 years old, everyone knows.' Where my response was a very loud and cross, 'Well I intentionally didn't'. So anyway DON'T spoil games for people no matter how old it is.

 

[Altorin]

there's no time limit on giving spoilers for good things to your friends, that's just mean.

However, if you're out in the internet, you're going to get spoiled things at most a year after it's released.

 

[MortalForNow]

Depends on who you're revealing it to. I learned that spoiling something for a friend who is unfamiliar with it is never right. If they're curious just tell them to experience it for themselves and they can be the judge.

Online and anonymously, I tend to warn others of spoilers by using tags if I can't dance around the issue or if it's essential for the conversation. I think that everyone should have the same experience in discovering these details for themselves, whether they choose to experience it on their own or from the advice of another.

 

[KarlMonster]

I always try to put spoilers in tags. Don't have much of a problem with games because of the small number of gamers I know who like to annoy me, but for films it really annoys me when people recommend a film then spoil it for you. Notable mention goes to Saw and the Sixth Sense which I have never seen because the recommendation and spoiling happened in the same breath.

Games: eh maybe, but there are some things that should be spoilt.
For example, I recently played Crysis for the first time on PC. It was pretty, and the stealth mechanic was neat. But it was only a good game up until the point where you fall through the aircraft carrier. See, after a certain point the game becomes totally unplayable in DX10. Instead of changing the settings, I just uninstalled the game. The internet search I needed to figure it out told me I was right near the end anyway. Fair enough.

Movies: If its good enough to recommend, don't freaking spoil it. I haven't seen 'the 6th Sense' yet either, but I may someday. I've not seen all of 'the Crying Game' either, but thats already spoilt for me too - kinda.

 

[Mouse_Crouse]

I think putting important plot points into a discussion is fair game from the day it gets released. If someone does not want spoilers they are welcome to tell me, and I will do my best to accommodate. But from my own personal view, when I don't want a spoiler I just make sure to stay away from likely sources (forums for that game, etc.). Telling someone that they can't discuss plot points on a forum for that game is just silly IMO.

 

[Thunderhorse31]

I'd say never, since I've had games spoiled for me anywhere from 4 hours to 4 years after its release.

Just be considerate of other people for more than 5 seconds, and you can save ruining a game for them.

I've had several conversations with inconsiderate friends that have gone almost exactly like this:

Me: "So I finally got around to playing , I'm enjoying it so far."
Them: "OMG wasn't it awesome when happens? So memorable."
Me: "Wha...? That hasn't happened yet."

*cries*

 

[Twilight_guy]

I wait one console generation, roughly 4 years. That's for general audiences though. If you know someone has not played something or suspect it, then its best not to reveal anything unless you know they know. The only time it really bothers me though is when people start blapping spoilers about games that have been released in the past three months. If I wait 3 months I can get the game for cheap and I don't want someone telling me what happens before I get it.

 

[Stammer]

I think it depends on how popular the thing is. I remember when Portal 2 came out I knew I would have to beat that game as soon as possible because, seriously, who hasn't beaten it within like a week of its release.

For the most part, if it's a major plot point that would seriously spoil the experience of the game or movie, you should always make sure whoever your audience is knows what that spoiler is before you say it. It doesn't hurt to put things in spoilers or ask your friend "Have you beaten that part yet".

I'd say MINIMUM two years before you can start just openly saying stuff without warning people first. I mean, I was 21 years old when I'd finally seen the original Star Wars trilogy (ie: a few months ago) and I certainly don't blame people from using the "Luke, I am your father" joke. lol

 

[Zhukov]

I generally give it about a year.

Even after that I'll usually include a warning and refer to big twists in an oblique manner.

 

[mysecondlife]

I say it depends on how famous it becomes.

Who really doesn't know about "Luke, I am your father"

or the fact that Dr. Jekyll is actually Mr. Hyde?

I say never reveal spoilers unless games/movies unless everyone knows about it (obvious yes)

 

[Seriin]

It depends on the person you are talking to about the game/movie whatever. If it is someone who isn't spending a whole lot of time online then it is probably better to wait longer. In contrast, if said person has seen/played the sequals or spends a bunch of time on sites that incorporate spoilers into everyday forum speech or memes, chances are you aren't spoiling a whole lot.

I don't think there can be a set in stone time, it varies based on popularity, absorption by the public and the person-at-hand's habits.