BakaPenguin

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What is it about Spoilers?

  • Posted by BakaPenguin October 31, 2011 - 864 views

    This isn't actually Skyrim or TES related, but since everyone is raving about spoilers right now, I wanted to know: What, to you, is ruined by seeing or hearing a spoiler?

    I, like some people here, find spoilers engaging and interesting. They allow me to know more up front so I can appreciate the work as a whole from the beginning. I'll use the example of the movie Inception I did in an earlier comment.

    When I first heard of the movie, i had no interest in it at all. The previews were vague and uninteresting, and left me just saying, "Huh?" So I shrugged the movie off as yet another Hollywood action flick with no soul. Then I had a discussion with a friend who'd seen it and he told me about the ending. At that point I realized my preconception, based on the previews, were wrong, and the movie sounded great. I had to see it. Knowing that final bit, what most consider the ultimate spoiler, peaked my interest. I was then, from the first second of the film, looking for clues that would give me the answer so many had wondered about. I already had an advantage, I knew what I was looking for. I had just as good an experience, and probably a better one, then if I had not known what was going to happen.

    I respect that some people feel cheated by spoilers, but I don't understand it. I want to know as much as possible before I enter into something. Personally, I hate surprises. If I let my imagination soar I'll come up with possibilities the creator never even thought of. Then, when I see that the product doesn't include my wildest fantasies I'll inevitably be let down. Knowing what is to come allows me to ground my expectations in what is available.

    To approach it form another angle, I'm sure most people here have a favorite book or movie they love. After the first time, you know the whole story. Yet, you want to experience it again, so you start it over. Why? It's already been spoiled. You know what's going to happen, but you don't care. The thrill of seeing those events unfold again makes you that much more invested in the outcome.

    So, again, I ask. What exactly is it about spoilers that make some people upset? What ruins the experience for you?

Comments

19 Comments
  • Anon
    Anon   ·  October 31, 2011
    +1 to Witschas.

    I don't think it really "ruins" is the best word, as it has such a strong, negative connotation. A more fitting word might be "diminish". Imagine playing Portal 2, but already having heard all of the Cave Johnsons dialogue. Sure...  more
  • Witschas
    Witschas   ·  October 31, 2011
    You could turn it around 180 degrees and say it is fascinating how some people relish experiencing things first hand, while others need to know in advance ;)
    This is of course just grammar, but the two ways to expres that sentence actually shows the...  more
  • Paul
    Paul   ·  October 31, 2011
    @ Marx, you are actually missing them - because I delete them as soon as I see them.

    I have deleted the leaked video at least a dozen times already, most of those have been added AFTER I specifically asked people not to do so.

    I'...  more
  • BakaPenguin
    BakaPenguin   ·  October 31, 2011
    Actually, Witschas, I think you did a great job of explaining your view. That was the kind of response I was looking for. I got a few nice responses, and I see what guys are saying. I find it really intriguing that the things that make me like spoilers ar...  more
  • Ashley Matthews
    Ashley Matthews   ·  October 31, 2011
    No spoilers are being forced here, as far as I can tell. Are they? I might have missed one, so I'm not sure.
  • Paul
    Paul   ·  October 31, 2011
    @Matt. You're missing the point, mate. 
    Sharing is only welcome if you're sharing stuff the people want to hear. I understand that people want to share something that they've seen on other sites. But a lot of people here don't want that stuff to be ...  more
  • BakaPenguin
    BakaPenguin   ·  October 31, 2011
    As I said, I respect that people feel differently, and because of that I would not intentionally spoil anything for someone. I don't agree with trolls who post things without warning just to upset people. I'm sorry if I offended anyone with my post, I'm j...  more
  • Witschas
    Witschas   ·  October 31, 2011
    Do I like getting to know all the features of a game before standing with a copy in my hands? HELL YEAH!
    Do I like to know every detail about the first 20 minutes of the game before standing with a copy in my hands? CHRIST NO!
    Most of the char...  more
  • konrad hurren
    konrad hurren   ·  October 31, 2011
    I like spoilers but only if they're released by the game's promoter's/designers because then they're usually teasers that excite you rather than giving you all the info which dilutes the shiny new feeling.
  • Matt Jones
    Matt Jones   ·  October 31, 2011
    Paul... you've created a website that at its core is designed to bring fans together to discuss spoilers of many different kinds.  What is so hard for you to understand about people wanting to share information...
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