Insider Gaming's spoiler survival guide: which words to mute before launch

Insider Gaming put out a piece about dodging GTA 6 story spoilers, and the angle is pretty much what you'd expect. Mute lists, keyword filters, the whole routine. They're framing it around the idea that spoilers are going to happen no matter what, and the real race is finishing the story before some random reply guy ruins a major beat for you.

Fair enough. We're ten days out. The internet is already a minefield.

the mute list thing actually works, if you commit

I've done this for other big releases and the trick is being brutal about it. Not just character names. Mute the obvious stuff, then mute the things you don't think will matter and end up mattering. If a certain character gets killed off in chapter three, their name is going to be everywhere for a week.

Their advice boils down to:

• filter keywords on every platform you actually use, not just the one you use most
• stay off comment sections entirely, including on videos you think are safe
• be careful with recommended feeds, since the algorithm doesn't care about your feelings
• avoid the big gaming subreddits and forums until you're done

None of that is revolutionary but it's the sort of thing you forget to actually do until it's too late. I've been spoiled on games by a thumbnail before. A thumbnail.

the part nobody wants to hear

You can't fully lock it down. Someone in a Discord you're in will finish early and get excited. Some site will put a spoiler in a headline because headlines get clicks. The only real defence is speed, which is a rubbish answer for anyone with a job or a family or both.

Personally I'm blocking out the weekend of the 19th and going dark. Phone on do not disturb, no socials, headphones on. It's a bit antisocial but I've waited years for this and I'm not letting a random post ruin it.

What's your plan, are you going full blackout or just accepting that you'll get spoiled on something?

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Source: Insider Gaming · Curated content.