Tardis:Spoiler policy: Difference between revisions

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In order to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information, the
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[[Doctor Who Wiki|TARDIS Index File, the Doctor Who Wiki]] contains details about all stories that have been officially broadcast, released or published for the first time, be it in the [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], [[Canada]], or the [[United States]].
{{moss|It's not just [[River Song]] who needs to worry about '''[[spoiler]]s'''. Defining them helps readers and editors alike know what to expect from the wiki.}}{{lock}}{{sc|T:SPOIL}}
In order to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information, this wiki contains details about all stories that have been officially broadcast, released or published for the first time, be it in the [[United Kingdom]] or elsewhere in the world. These details would be [[spoiler]]s to some, but not to this wiki. If a story has been officially released, anywhere in the world, it may be discussed freely anywhere on this site. It's up to you to determine whether you wish to be spoiled about available stories that you ''personally'' have not yet experienced.


The TARDIS Index File, the Doctor Who Wiki contains '''full [[spoiler]]s''' for all aired; television and radio broadcasts, for all webcasts, for all; published novels, short stories, and comic strips, and for all released; audio, video, DVD, Blu-ray and digital media recordings.  
Instead, we only regulate spoilers which come from media that have not yet been released. This '''spoiler policy''' defines what we consider to be spoilers. It goes on to give instruction as to how such information can and cannot be integrated into pages here.  


==Stories not yet released==
== How we define "spoiler" ==
All series articles and other media articles relating to yet-to-be-released stories must carry {{tl|pre-broadcast spoiler}} at the top of the the article.  This alerts the reader to spoilers about upcoming adventures and places all such articles in the [[:Category:Pre-broadcast spoilers|a common category]] for easy maintenance.  
{{sc|T:SPOIL DEF}}
A spoiler is any information — in-universe or behind-the-scenes — coming from a story which has not yet been officially released '''in its entirety''' (notwithstanding multi-part stories with days-long gaps between the release of their constituent installments).  


Spoiler information relating to not-yet-released stories must be kept to '''series''' or, in some cases, '''story''' articles. Please do not create articles about '''narrative''' elements rumoured to exist within stories that haven't been released.  It is impossible to verify such things before the story is released.
However, there is a distinction between leaks and '''official spoilers''', upcoming information released by the likes of the [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]], [[Big Finish Productions]] or [[BBV Productions]]. The following concrete examples are "official spoilers" — but this list is by no means exhaustive:
* "Next Time" trailers, teaser trailers, or anything similar
* Cast or crew announcements
* Information from an official website about a future episode
* Information from an interview with a production principal
* ''Any'' information about an unbroadcast or unreleased story mentioned in the likes of ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]''.


===What does ''officially released'' mean?===
Note that '''public statements by individual members of a story's production team can count as "official"'''; for example, posts on [[Russell T Davies|Russell T. Davies]]'s social media have clearly been part of the official promotional strategy for the 60th anniversary year and releases related to it; we shouldn't act like it makes a world of difference whether a given piece of information comes from RTD's account vs. the ''Doctor Who'' account.
Basically, the rule is really simple.  If the factoid you want to write about hasn't been in a story that has been officially released, you can't write about it here.


However, for clarity, it might be useful to define the word ''released'' as it affects this policy.  We consider something ''officially released'' when it is made available to the ''general'' public, in venues that are ordinarily and legally used for that particular medium.  If you are attending the dress rehearsal of a ''Doctor Who'' play, or if you are watching an episode of the show at a convention, or if you've downloaded an episode of ''Torchwood'' prior to it's televised debut — even if your enjoyment of those entertainments was made "legal" by the fact that the BBC or Starz made them available to you — you can't come here and start editing articles about those stories. 
The following are "unofficial spoilers":
*For Big Finish, the moment of public release is when a story is made available to download by the official Big Finish website.  For those audio dramas ''not'' made downloadable, the moment of release is whatever date the company sets on its website for the CD release.
* Rumours or leaks reported about in media unaffiliated with the production companies of the media at stakes;
*For televised episodes, it's, approximately, the top of the hour ''after'' the date and time at which the end credits roll on the global premiere broadcaster's initial showing of the episode.  For ''[[Torchwood: Miracle Day]]'', for instance, that time is 2300 Friday nights, EST (0300 UTC).  This is because the ''global'' premiere happens in the Eastern time zone. If you attend an official screening of the episode at a press launch or other similar event, even though the event might well be sponsored by the producers of the program, you have not witnessed the global premiere of the episode.  You have, however, been very lucky and are now in possession of every true spoiler about that episode. 
* Early leaks of full stories;
*For books, it's the date given by the publisher as the release date.  If you have an advance  review copy, congratulations.  But don't write about that story until the date the publisher gives as the official launch date.
* Set photos by fans making the rounds on social media.  
*For comic books, it's the date it '''actually''' hits comic stores (not necessarily the [[solicitation]] date), or the date it's made available on a company's official digital comic reader application, whichever is first.  Though publisher's delays push back the date of official release, distributor's delays generally don't.  Distribution snafus can mean that a comic has hit some comic stores, but not every comic store.  The comic is nevertheless deemed to have been officially released.
::'''Example one''':  An issue of ''[[Don't Step on the Grass]]'' was delayed for a week for some, but not all, parts of the [[United States]].  The "day of official release" was therefore deemed to be the ''initial'' day on which distribution was successful, somewhere in the country of first publication (the US). 
::'''Example two''':  The comic is generally delivered around the country, but doesn't hit ''your local'' comic store.  The "day of official release" is unchanged.
*For theatrical performances  of live stories, the official release date is the first performance open to general admission in the first city on a tour.  Therefore, if you attend a dress rehearsal, even at the behest of the production company, you have not attended a global premiere.
===Confirmed stories===
Stories that have been confirmed — by the [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]], [[Starz]], [[Metal Mutt Productions]] or any other production partner — but have not been broadcast, are routinely created with their basic layout and infobox and then [[Tardis:Protection policy|fully protected]] to prevent further edits until the stories have been broadcast or released.  


Information relating to these fully protected stories should go on the story's series article.
== Official spoilers ==
=== Where official spoilers are and aren't allowed ===
{{sc|T:OFFICIAL INFO}}
What, then, do we do with information that comes from a reputable source like the BBC itself? We use it '''only''' on real-world pages. It cannot be used elsewhere.


For example, prior to the [[The Sarah Jane Adventures]] television story ''[[The Nightmare Man]]'' being broadcast it would have been fully protected, any ''sourced'' information relating to it would go on the [[Series 4 (The Sarah Jane Adventures)]] article.  
Upcoming works that have been confirmed — by the [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] or any other relevant production company — but have not been [[T:OFF REL|officially released]] yet can have pages created about them, '''tagged with {{tlx|spoiler}}''', as well as on any upcoming series or range they might have been announced to constitute. [[List of future releases]] and its subdivisions like [[List of future Big Finish releases]] can also start listing these works. '''All information on these pages must be rigorously sourced.'''
===Actor and in-universe articles===
'''DO NOT''' create articles relating to in-universe elements or actors who will appear in yet to be broadcast or released stories. This information is often vague, inaccurate or contains spoilers.


If these articles are created they will be '''''deleted'''''.
'''Officially-announced cast or crewmembers can have pages created about them''' if they are new to the DWU, duly tagged with {{tlx|spoiler}}. The situation is trickier with real-world individuals who ''already'' have pages on the Wiki: we can't prevent spoiler-averse people from accessing [[David Tennant]] every time he's been announced to participate in a future project (whether it be a [[Big Finish Productions]] audio or [[The Power of the Doctor (TV story)|returning to television]]). '''Instead, a [[T:SUBPAGE|subpage]] can be created at e.g. [[David Tennant/Spoilers]], linked to from the main page using {{tlx|Subpage tabs}}.''' After the information is no longer a spoiler, it can be reintegrated into the main page.


:To nominate a page for deletion add <nowiki>{{proposed deletion|reason for deletion}}</nowiki> and add your reason for nominating the page for deletion. See our [[Tardis:Deletion policy|Deletion policy]] for more information.
'''Pages about DWM issues, or other notable publications, which discuss spoilery information from a real-world perspective, ought to present the spoilers on the main page, but be tagged with a {{tlx|spoiler}} banner'''.  


Also, please do not add spoilers to in-universe articles, even to the Behind the scenes section. Please wait until an episode airs before adding the new information. All spoilers relating to an in-universe article should be place on the appropriate series page.
Regarding trailers, '''images from trailers can be used on the appropriate spoiler-tagged pages'''. Trailers and other promotional pieces which constitute original fiction in themselves, and thus would warrant coverage aside from spoilers, '''can now have pages created about them even before the release of the thing they advertise''', but '''should of course be tagged as spoilery pages and kept out of Lists of Appearances until they are no longer spoilery'''.  


==Rumours==
Please do not add spoilers, even official spoilers, to in-universe articles, even to the Behind the scenes section — nor create in-universe pages, albeit tagged as spoilery, about in-universe elements from upcoming works. Please wait until an episode airs before adding the new information. All spoilers relating to an in-universe article should be place on the appropriate real-world page.
Any rumours posted on pages about un-broadcast topics must be cited so that users can verify the page's claims. Citation of this kind is effected by reference tags around the source, like this: <nowiki><ref> '''source'''</ref></nowiki>. All facts not confirmed by the BBC Press Office or members of the production crew in a formal interview must be placed within a section labeled "rumours" so that users may clearly understand what they are reading.  
 
Additionally, '''any pages that contain spoilers will need to be edit locked to unregistered users, which will slow down any speculative editing'''.
 
== Unofficial spoilers ==
{{sc|T:RUMOUR|T:RUMOR}}
Rumours and other such unofficial spoilers '''are''' allowed on series and work pages, but they must be cited so that users can verify the page's claims. Citation of this kind is effected by reference tags around the source, like this: <nowiki><ref> '''source'''</ref></nowiki>. All facts not confirmed by the BBC Press Office or members of the relevant production crew in a formal interview must be placed within a section labeled "rumours" so that users may clearly understand what they are reading.


Information without a source can be tagged with {{tl|fact}} or {{tl|facts}} which produces the following results: {{fact}} and {{facts}}  
Information without a source can be tagged with {{tl|fact}} or {{tl|facts}} which produces the following results: {{fact}} and {{facts}}  


===Cast or crew information===
=== Cast or crew information ===
Information as to cast and crew '''must''' initially start in the rumours section of an article, '''unless the news is ''broken'' by the production company themselves'''. Once the person has been confirmed through either official, production company press release or a known member of the production team, it may be moved to either the cast or crew section, as appropriate. It must still, however, retain a citation, as mentioned above. (<nowiki><ref> '''source'''</ref></nowiki>)
{{sc|T:SPOIL CREW}}
 
Information as to cast and crew '''must''' initially start in the rumours section of an article, '''unless the news is ''broken'' by the production company themselves'''. Once the person has been confirmed through either official, production company press release or a known member of the production team, it may be moved to either the cast or crew section, as appropriate. It must still, however, retain a citation, as mentioned above. (<nowiki><ref> '''source'''</ref></nowiki>)
Only after the story is released may the reference tags be pulled from the article.


===After broadcast===
Only after the story is released may the reference tags be pulled from the article, and they can be retained if it's of historical interest that X actor was announced on Y date in such-and-such way.
Rumour sections are subject to complete removal after the story is broadcast or published, unless a rumour has some bearing on the story as released.  By their nature though, rumours are rarely of any value once a story becomes public.  If they turn out to be true, the info naturally goes into another section of the article.  If they turn out to be false, the info is most often dismissed as no longer interesting.


Once the story is released, ''it'' becomes the primary source for information about itself.  Thus, the credit roll at the end of the story becomes the highest-order source for information about the cast and crew, and citation for that person's involvement is no longer necessary.
Note that '''this does not apply to pages about upcoming cast members themselves''', which do not have a "Rumours" section and must contain only official spoilers.


===Full example===
=== After broadcast ===
For example, let's imagine that Jennifer Aniston were rumoured to be in an episode of ''Doctor Who'' called ''The One with the Bug-Eyed Monsters''. And imagine we learned of her involvement first through a report on DigitalSpy. So initially, we'd put her in the "Rumours" section, and cite Digital Spy. Then imagine she were to be confirmed by the BBC Press Office. We'd pull her up to the "Cast" section and change the citation to BBC Press Office.  Then imagine ''The One with the Bug-Eyed Monsters'' comes out.  Sure enough, she's in it.  At this point you can remove all citations, because it's now a fact established by the episode itself.
Rumour sections are subject to complete removal after the story is broadcast or published, unless a rumour has some bearing on the story as released. By their nature though, rumours are rarely of any value once a story becomes public. If they turn out to be true, the info naturally goes into another section of the article. If they turn out to be false, the info is most often dismissed as no longer interesting. Historically-noteworthy but inaccurate rumours can be moved to the "Myths" section or "Story notes".


==Spoilers and the forums==
Once the story is released, ''it'' becomes the primary source for information about itself. Thus, the credit roll at the end of the story becomes the highest-order source for information about the cast and crew, and citation for that person's involvement is no longer necessary.
As made clear above, spoilers are ''only'' allowed on series pages or story pages — although in practice, the story pages are locked from general editing until the moment of their release. Spoilers are not allowed anywhere else, save from [[Howling:The Howling]].  They are absolutely not allowed in the forum [[namespace]]  '''at all'''.  Please be very careful about how you speak in the forums of the current series of the various programmes we cover. The excuses, "Oh, but that's in a preview trailer", or "the BBC have already released that", will not protect you from the wrath of an administrator. Our definition of a spoiler is simple, but it's different than the common definition of a spoiler.  Trailers '''are''' spoilers.  Information on the BBC's website prior to the broadcast of an episode is a spoiler.  A spoiler is '''not''' "that which hasn't been released by the BBC".  A spoiler is "'''anything''' released by '''anyone''' prior to the debut of the story in the country of first publication".  Even "next time" trailers that frequently come at the end of episodes are considered spoilers here.  


The forums ''must'' be areas in which every user can go without fear of encountering material about un-broadcast episodes. Again, when we say "un-broadcast", we mean "not yet broadcast in the country of first publication. Thus, it is not a violation of this policy to, for example, talk about the latest episode of ''[[Torchwood: Miracle Day]]'' on a Saturday night, even though the BBC premiere won't be until the following Thursday. Nor is it a violation to talk about the comic strip in the latest issue of DWM, even though American readers could not possibly have received their copy yet.  
=== Full example ===
For example, let's imagine that Jennifer Aniston were rumoured to be in an episode of ''Doctor Who'' called ''The One with the Bug-Eyed Monsters''. And imagine we learned of her involvement first through a report on DigitalSpy. So initially, we'd put her in the "Rumours" section, and cite Digital Spy. Then imagine she were to be confirmed by the BBC Press Office. We'd pull her up to the "Cast" section and change the citation to BBC Press Office. Then imagine ''The One with the Bug-Eyed Monsters'' comes out. Sure enough, she's in it. At this point you can remove all citations, because it's now a fact established by the episode itself.


Finally, it is a violation of this policy to use the template {{tl|Please see}} to entreat someone to come to a thread in the Howling namespace.  This is the template equation of a "form letter", and it makes it look to the reader like you're asking them to any other forum thread. If you want someone to join you at the Howling, please write out a personalised message.  And, if the thread to which you're inviting them includes spoilers about the future, please '''make that fact clear''' in your message on their talk page. If a user comes to an admin, complaining that they were asked to go see a thread, and now that thread has ruined things for them, then the party who extended the invitation is in violation of this policy.
== Spoilers and the forums ==
{{sc|T:SPOIL FORUM}}
'''Official spoilers are allowed in [[Forum:The Cloisters|Forum threads]] when necessary, but spoilery threads should be flagged as such'''. Within the limits of practicality, the thread title should additionally strive not to contain overt spoilers, and it should itself '''specify that the thread will contain spoilers'''. (For example, a 2013 thread to discuss ahead of release whether we should consider the [[List of anniversaries|50th anniversary]] specials to be part of [[Series 8 (Doctor Who 2005)]] could have been called something like <nowiki>[[Forum:SPOILERS: How to lump future specials and series]]</nowiki>, remaining as broad and possible instead of e.g. talking about "the Smith specials and Capaldi's first series".


Sometimes, however, there is uncertainty about whether a given piece of information constitutes a leak or an official spoiler, and thus, how this information is to be integrated into the Wiki? In such cases, '''a duly-tagged Forum thread can be used to discuss ''whether'' a given piece of information is fair game for spoiler-tagged pages, or if it constitutes a leak. '''A specific template to flag such threads as "even spoilerier than normal spoiler threads" should be used: {{tlx|potential leaks}}'''. (This is not necessary for media page citing unofficial sources within the boundaries set by [[T:RUMOUR]], because that format already segregates the unofficial spoilers to a specific, skippable section of the page.)
==See also==
*[[Tardis:Canon policy|Canon policy]]


[[Category:Policies|Spoiler]]
Finally, it is a violation of this policy to use the template {{tlx|Please see}}, or any other page link, to entreat someone to come to a spoilery thread. This is the equivalent of a "form letter", and it makes it look to the reader like you're asking them to any other forum thread. If you want someone to join you at the Howling, please write out a personalised message. And, if the thread to which you're inviting them includes spoilers about the future, please '''make that fact clear''' in your message on their talk page. If a user comes to an admin, complaining that they were asked to go see a thread, and now that thread has ruined things for them, then the party who extended the invitation is in violation of this policy.

Latest revision as of 20:07, 25 April 2024

It's not just River Song who needs to worry about spoilers. Defining them helps readers and editors alike know what to expect from the wiki.
LockedTab.png

In order to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information, this wiki contains details about all stories that have been officially broadcast, released or published for the first time, be it in the United Kingdom or elsewhere in the world. These details would be spoilers to some, but not to this wiki. If a story has been officially released, anywhere in the world, it may be discussed freely anywhere on this site. It's up to you to determine whether you wish to be spoiled about available stories that you personally have not yet experienced.

Instead, we only regulate spoilers which come from media that have not yet been released. This spoiler policy defines what we consider to be spoilers. It goes on to give instruction as to how such information can and cannot be integrated into pages here.

How we define "spoiler"

A spoiler is any information — in-universe or behind-the-scenes — coming from a story which has not yet been officially released in its entirety (notwithstanding multi-part stories with days-long gaps between the release of their constituent installments).

However, there is a distinction between leaks and official spoilers, upcoming information released by the likes of the BBC, Big Finish Productions or BBV Productions. The following concrete examples are "official spoilers" — but this list is by no means exhaustive:

  • "Next Time" trailers, teaser trailers, or anything similar
  • Cast or crew announcements
  • Information from an official website about a future episode
  • Information from an interview with a production principal
  • Any information about an unbroadcast or unreleased story mentioned in the likes of Doctor Who Magazine.

Note that public statements by individual members of a story's production team can count as "official"; for example, posts on Russell T. Davies's social media have clearly been part of the official promotional strategy for the 60th anniversary year and releases related to it; we shouldn't act like it makes a world of difference whether a given piece of information comes from RTD's account vs. the Doctor Who account.

The following are "unofficial spoilers":

  • Rumours or leaks reported about in media unaffiliated with the production companies of the media at stakes;
  • Early leaks of full stories;
  • Set photos by fans making the rounds on social media.

Official spoilers

Where official spoilers are and aren't allowed

What, then, do we do with information that comes from a reputable source like the BBC itself? We use it only on real-world pages. It cannot be used elsewhere.

Upcoming works that have been confirmed — by the BBC or any other relevant production company — but have not been officially released yet can have pages created about them, tagged with {{spoiler}}, as well as on any upcoming series or range they might have been announced to constitute. List of future releases and its subdivisions like List of future Big Finish releases can also start listing these works. All information on these pages must be rigorously sourced.

Officially-announced cast or crewmembers can have pages created about them if they are new to the DWU, duly tagged with {{spoiler}}. The situation is trickier with real-world individuals who already have pages on the Wiki: we can't prevent spoiler-averse people from accessing David Tennant every time he's been announced to participate in a future project (whether it be a Big Finish Productions audio or returning to television). Instead, a subpage can be created at e.g. David Tennant/Spoilers, linked to from the main page using {{Subpage tabs}}. After the information is no longer a spoiler, it can be reintegrated into the main page.

Pages about DWM issues, or other notable publications, which discuss spoilery information from a real-world perspective, ought to present the spoilers on the main page, but be tagged with a {{spoiler}} banner.

Regarding trailers, images from trailers can be used on the appropriate spoiler-tagged pages. Trailers and other promotional pieces which constitute original fiction in themselves, and thus would warrant coverage aside from spoilers, can now have pages created about them even before the release of the thing they advertise, but should of course be tagged as spoilery pages and kept out of Lists of Appearances until they are no longer spoilery.

Please do not add spoilers, even official spoilers, to in-universe articles, even to the Behind the scenes section — nor create in-universe pages, albeit tagged as spoilery, about in-universe elements from upcoming works. Please wait until an episode airs before adding the new information. All spoilers relating to an in-universe article should be place on the appropriate real-world page.

Additionally, any pages that contain spoilers will need to be edit locked to unregistered users, which will slow down any speculative editing.

Unofficial spoilers

Rumours and other such unofficial spoilers are allowed on series and work pages, but they must be cited so that users can verify the page's claims. Citation of this kind is effected by reference tags around the source, like this: <ref> '''source'''</ref>. All facts not confirmed by the BBC Press Office or members of the relevant production crew in a formal interview must be placed within a section labeled "rumours" so that users may clearly understand what they are reading.

Information without a source can be tagged with {{fact}} or {{facts}} which produces the following results: [source needed] and [additional sources needed]

Cast or crew information

Information as to cast and crew must initially start in the rumours section of an article, unless the news is broken by the production company themselves. Once the person has been confirmed through either official, production company press release or a known member of the production team, it may be moved to either the cast or crew section, as appropriate. It must still, however, retain a citation, as mentioned above. (<ref> '''source'''</ref>)

Only after the story is released may the reference tags be pulled from the article, and they can be retained if it's of historical interest that X actor was announced on Y date in such-and-such way.

Note that this does not apply to pages about upcoming cast members themselves, which do not have a "Rumours" section and must contain only official spoilers.

After broadcast

Rumour sections are subject to complete removal after the story is broadcast or published, unless a rumour has some bearing on the story as released. By their nature though, rumours are rarely of any value once a story becomes public. If they turn out to be true, the info naturally goes into another section of the article. If they turn out to be false, the info is most often dismissed as no longer interesting. Historically-noteworthy but inaccurate rumours can be moved to the "Myths" section or "Story notes".

Once the story is released, it becomes the primary source for information about itself. Thus, the credit roll at the end of the story becomes the highest-order source for information about the cast and crew, and citation for that person's involvement is no longer necessary.

Full example

For example, let's imagine that Jennifer Aniston were rumoured to be in an episode of Doctor Who called The One with the Bug-Eyed Monsters. And imagine we learned of her involvement first through a report on DigitalSpy. So initially, we'd put her in the "Rumours" section, and cite Digital Spy. Then imagine she were to be confirmed by the BBC Press Office. We'd pull her up to the "Cast" section and change the citation to BBC Press Office. Then imagine The One with the Bug-Eyed Monsters comes out. Sure enough, she's in it. At this point you can remove all citations, because it's now a fact established by the episode itself.

Spoilers and the forums

Official spoilers are allowed in Forum threads when necessary, but spoilery threads should be flagged as such. Within the limits of practicality, the thread title should additionally strive not to contain overt spoilers, and it should itself specify that the thread will contain spoilers. (For example, a 2013 thread to discuss ahead of release whether we should consider the 50th anniversary specials to be part of Series 8 (Doctor Who 2005) could have been called something like [[Forum:SPOILERS: How to lump future specials and series]], remaining as broad and possible instead of e.g. talking about "the Smith specials and Capaldi's first series".

Sometimes, however, there is uncertainty about whether a given piece of information constitutes a leak or an official spoiler, and thus, how this information is to be integrated into the Wiki? In such cases, a duly-tagged Forum thread can be used to discuss whether a given piece of information is fair game for spoiler-tagged pages, or if it constitutes a leak. A specific template to flag such threads as "even spoilerier than normal spoiler threads" should be used: {{potential leaks}}. (This is not necessary for media page citing unofficial sources within the boundaries set by T:RUMOUR, because that format already segregates the unofficial spoilers to a specific, skippable section of the page.)

Finally, it is a violation of this policy to use the template {{Please see}}, or any other page link, to entreat someone to come to a spoilery thread. This is the equivalent of a "form letter", and it makes it look to the reader like you're asking them to any other forum thread. If you want someone to join you at the Howling, please write out a personalised message. And, if the thread to which you're inviting them includes spoilers about the future, please make that fact clear in your message on their talk page. If a user comes to an admin, complaining that they were asked to go see a thread, and now that thread has ruined things for them, then the party who extended the invitation is in violation of this policy.