Quick and urgent message for moderators...

[ToTheMadhouse]

My Skyrim game will arrive on the 10th rather than 11th due to GAME's odd habit of giving me games a day or two early. Does that mean that I cant post any info or spoilers etc until the 11th still.

[Rynkar]

You lucky, mother *&%$#@.

[Hejerrick]

Yes... Posting spoilers would be awesome for everyone who hasn't played it yet...
What do you think?

[Spiney]

Yeah, keep that trap shut till everyone has the game.

[ToTheMadhouse]

CHRIST! DON'T HURT ME OR MUFASA WILL THU'UM YO ASS OFF!

[Duderino Abides]

Don't ever post spoilers unless it's in a forum where spoilers are allowed. Not even after the 11th.

[ToTheMadhouse]

Kk, understood my tamrielic friends. See ya in Markath side!

[Hejerrick]

The rundown lake town?... Um... what about Solitude?
Anyway, enjoy yourself. Hope it lives up to whatever amount of hype you've allowed yourself

[OblivionDuruza]

You can post spoilers in spoiler tags, nobody should stop you from doing so if you make it clear. Some people (especially Wiki editors) are interested in getting the info ASAP, even at the cost of spoiling the game for themselves.

The tags:

Spoiler:

[ spoiler ][ /spoiler ] without spaces

[Pobatti]

If it helps, I've noticed that even the Bethesda forums are now being much more tolerant of spoilers. They're now allowed just as long as people post them in the right section, are thoughtful with topic titles and use spoiler tags. The only time threads that contain spoilers get closed now are when people break the usual rules (linking to copyrighted material, discussing pirating methods, going over the usual 200 post limit, bad behaviour etc).

Considering Bethesda themselves have every reason to be more concerned and sensitive with spoilers of their games being posted than any other site on the Internet, I think you're very safe here... and as was posted earlier, indeed very welcome - as long as you take care to avoid people stumbling upon your spoilers unintentially.

If in doubt, read the rules. That sticky is there to help, not to nag

[Avron the S'wit]

If you're asking the question...let's just say you probably know the answer. No one wants to have the game ruined!

To put it bluntly: because not all members of the forums will receive the game at the same time, please remember when discussing the game to use the spoiler tag for, you guessed it, spoilers. To use the spoiler tag, simply hit the SPOILER button above the text box and include the text between the two tags, or insert them yourself as follows:

[ spoiler ] secret spoiler stuff here! [ / spoiler ]

So, you can post your impressions and such when the subforum opens...but don't post spoilers, and if you do, please hide them!

Don't forget that we are going to be enforcing special "Skyrim release" rules and we do expect you to follow them when they get announced...which is very soon.

[Narzul]

You shouldn't be able to play it yet anyway. Or is that just on PC?

[Wolfie]

I hate you

[Lynx2069]

You shouldn't be able to play it yet anyway. Or is that just on PC?

Just PC is locked out. I wouldn't recommend playing it on PSN or XBL, as both company's have been known to ban Gamertags or the equivelent if you play a retail copy before the street date. Normally not unless its a multiplayer game generally but its allowed in the TOS.

That being said, you don't need internet for Skyrim.

[Pobatti]

You shouldn't be able to play it yet anyway. Or is that just on PC?

Just PC.

While some shops are allowing early purchases, the PC version requires Steam activation - which won't be available itself until the release day. Since this doesn't apply to console editions (you just put the game in and play) many people do have the game already.

I can't see XBox Live or PSN banning any gamertags that go online with this game, because not only have there been users going online with these games for several weeks now with no problems - but many games get accidentally released early. It's a very common thing in reality and both Sony and Microsoft know that. They wouldn't ban the player because they've not broken any contract. The fault would lie squarely with the retailer that broke the release date.

Of course I can't fully guarantee nothing will happen, but it's very unlikely.

The release dates are there to protect retailers by giving them a fighting chance to sell their product, which can't happen if one or two decide to release their games early. They're not there to stop people from playing the game - so if you do get hold of a legitimate copy of the game early you're perfectly safe.

[AKB]

I really wished that the Forums followed the UESPWiki's spoiler policy: "...the UESP may contain information of a nature revealing particulars concerning Elder Scrolls literature and games ("spoilers") and information deemed objectionable or offensive to certain parties, all of which the UESP disclaims the responsibility of advisability towards..."

However, if you avoid spoilers entirely, there is virtually nothing to discuss besides game mechanics (and some people get angry over those as well). Just cover them up with spoiler tags, and all shall be well for all but the users who hate spoilers so much that they don't want them on the site at all, and to those users, I direct you to the spoiler policy. I've never been sure why the forums have that policy. After all, what else would you expect on the forums for a site that spoils everything on the Elder Scrolls?

[Pobatti]

I really wished that the Forums followed the UESPWiki's spoiler policy: "...the UESP may contain information of a nature revealing particulars concerning Elder Scrolls literature and games ("spoilers") and information deemed objectionable or offensive to certain parties, all of which the UESP disclaims the responsibility of advisability towards..."

However, if you avoid spoilers entirely, there is virtually nothing to discuss besides game mechanics (and some people get angry over those as well). Just cover them up with spoiler tags, and all shall be well for all but the users who hate spoilers so much that they don't want them on the site at all, and to those users, I direct you to the spoiler policy. I've never been sure why the forums have that policy. After all, what else would you expect on the forums for a site that spoils everything on the Elder Scrolls?

Well, I could explain this because the Wiki and the Forum serve two different purposes:

- The Wiki is a pure source of information.
- The forum is for the fans to discuss the series

People don't necessarily use both features. In fact some use the Forum purely because it's got a nicer population and fewer trolls than the Bethesda forum or GameFAQs. We have to accommodate those. And as we're all fans, just because this site also contains a Wiki (which we can choose to avoid) doesn't mean we all want to be spoiled.

The Wiki on the other hand is different. People will purposely seek out the information they're looking for. It's users expect that all known knowledge and facts about the game will be presented in an open and honest fashion - since that's exactly how the vast majority of Wikis operate. It's a fact file, not a fan site. People who use it extensively can expect to find facts there they might not have known previously - it's the nature of the beast.

[Iamgoofball]

Wait!

Can he go give the info to the wiki editors, though?

[Pobatti]

Wait!

Can he go give the info to the wiki editors, though?

Absolutely

That's why it's a good idea to still post the spoilers eventually. When the spoilers board arrives, post them there - Wiki editors will know that's where the best information that has been gathered accumulates. After all, the Wiki always needs as much information as it can as early as possible to remain the most comprehensive and reliable source of Elder Scrolls information on the web.

[AKB]

I really wished that the Forums followed the UESPWiki's spoiler policy: "...the UESP may contain information of a nature revealing particulars concerning Elder Scrolls literature and games ("spoilers") and information deemed objectionable or offensive to certain parties, all of which the UESP disclaims the responsibility of advisability towards..."

However, if you avoid spoilers entirely, there is virtually nothing to discuss besides game mechanics (and some people get angry over those as well). Just cover them up with spoiler tags, and all shall be well for all but the users who hate spoilers so much that they don't want them on the site at all, and to those users, I direct you to the spoiler policy. I've never been sure why the forums have that policy. After all, what else would you expect on the forums for a site that spoils everything on the Elder Scrolls?

Well, I could explain this because the Wiki and the Forum serve two different purposes:

- The Wiki is a pure source of information.
- The forum is for the fans to discuss the series

People don't necessarily use both features. In fact some use the Forum purely because it's got a nicer population and fewer trolls than the Bethesda forum or GameFAQs. We have to accommodate those. And as we're all fans, just because this site also contains a Wiki (which we can choose to avoid) doesn't mean we all want to be spoiled.

The Wiki on the other hand is different. People will purposely seek out the information they're looking for. It's users expect that all known knowledge and facts about the game will be presented in an open and honest fashion - since that's exactly how the vast majority of Wikis operate. It's a fact file, not a fan site. People who use it extensively can expect to find facts there they might not have known previously - it's the nature of the beast.

I admit that I mostly just freaking hate when people complain about spoilers. This is my own belief on the issue. Though, virtually every wiki I've ever seen did seem to be concerned about spoilers (except for ones covering extremely old topics, or Wikipedia).
As I can't say anything without showing my own bias on the issue, I'll just say, please don't purposely avoid spoilers (which I see some people do, even after admitting they know more information), if you know 'em. As Duru said, some of us have actual use for them.

[Pobatti]

I admit that I mostly just freaking hate when people complain about spoilers. This is my own belief on the issue. Though, virtually every wiki I've ever seen did seem to be concerned about spoilers (except for ones covering extremely old topics, or Wikipedia).
As I can't say anything without showing my own bias on the issue, I'll just say, please don't purposely avoid spoilers (which I see some people do, even after admitting they know more information), if you know 'em. As Duru said, some of us have actual use for them.

That's something I covered in an earlier post. Spoilers are indeed welcome on this site, but they're not expected to roll in on mass until the game's released and everyone has new spoilers to post regularly. That's why there's going to be a spoiler forum.

I don't have a problem with people posting spoilers as long as the rest of us have a reasonable chance to avoid them. Putting them in a spoiler forum helps tremendously, as does not putting spoilers in topic titles, putting the actual spoiler in spoiler tags and other things like that. If a person posts a spoiler that's double/triple protected like that, nobody can complain they were spoiled due to their own personal lack of control - and the people who are interested (and indeed the Wiki editors) can still access the information.

It's when people break those simple rules that most people start complaining. For example, if I created a topic in this board called 'Snape Killed Dumbledore' you would still see it before you had any kind of warning that it was there. You can't un-see a spoiler, but by protecting a spoiler like I described it only takes a couple more clicks to access the details and everyone's happy.

I'd just like to add this in case anyone's forgotten - this forum's going to get wiped. Therefore there's no point starting a spoiler information repository thread here because it will only be erased along with this forum. It's better to wait until the proper board has been set up so that you can ensure your information remains available. In the mean time it's a good idea for you to make a few notes of things you've seen and want to write about so you have the information at hand when the board comes online.

[AKB]

Wait?!? SNAPE KILLS DUMBLEDORE!?!?! What the hell? I KNEW WE SHOULDN'T OF TRUSTED HIM!!! Honestly, if I cared about the Harry Potter universe, I'd be furious right now.
Okay, not really. Truthfully, I don't care if someone ever spoils anything, even if it's a book I'm reading, a movie I'm watching, or a game I'm playing. It's just not a peeve to me.
Seriously though, I'm glad there will be a spoiler forum, that's clearly the best solution.

[Pobatti]

Wait?!? SNAPE KILLS DUMBLEDORE!?!?! What the hell? I KNEW WE SHOULDN'T OF TRUSTED HIM!!! Honestly, if I cared about the Harry Potter universe, I'd be furious right now.
Okay, not really. Truthfully, I don't care if someone ever spoils anything, even if it's a book I'm reading, a movie I'm watching, or a game I'm playing. It's just not a peeve to me.
Seriously though, I'm glad there will be a spoiler forum, that's clearly the best solution.

Exactly. There are lots of people like you and me that, rather than feel spoiled by 'spoilers' actually enjoy them or become a little bit addicted to seeking them out. That's why there are these cool things called spoiler boards and spoiler tags, so people like us can still have our fun - but in a way that protects others if they don't want to be spoiled.

And it's better for us too, because it goes a long way towards threads not being derailed by someone flaming a poster for spoiling some essential piece of the plot. There are always going to be those who are genuinely avoiding spoilers, which is fine - but there are always going to be trolls too, and this method gives the trolls less ammunition to attack us with which is always good