This happened due to the excessive amounts of plot spoilers. I know most sCoding isn't allowed in the SB apart from linking to things, but it'd be nice if the spoiler tags were allowed to be used so taht this can be kept from happening

Aren't spoiler tags pretty big for the shoutbox? I don't see why this is necessary; if people followed the rules there wouldn't be an issue?

I think that it's probably a good thing, sometimes people mention stuff that they don't realize can be spoilers (I was guilty of doing such) and it's best to probably just avoid the issue all together.

There are no spoilers allowed in the shoutbox, and for good reason. If you want to discuss the plot, discuss it in the forums. It has it's own thread, there is literally no excuse for posting spoilers or talking about anything plot-related, outwith general conversation.

I don't think people should be accommodated for breaking rules.

There WOULD be no rule-breaking if spoiler tags were implemented into the SB. Put those in and that rule could be done away with. It could be also modified so that a new kind of SB spoiler tag could be created

Or if people read and followed the rules.

Yeah I am not in favor of a spoiler code in the SB. The no spoiler rule is logical however I feel that the shoutbox in the first place should be disabled and then enable by users. That way they definitely can choose to obey the rules, or just not chat in real time.

The only reason it's against the rules to have spoilers in the SB to begin with is that you can't hide spoilers in the SB. If there was a way to hide them (spoilers) then there wouldn't have to be this rule.

you can. It's an option in the widgets section

I know it is an option, but I am saying for it to be disabled from the get go and then enabled only after a nice page with a refresh on the rules, an agreement, and the community guidelines shows up. That way people chose to obey, not oh hey this is a cool feature with a little popup.

that's already a thing. But then again, that's for the Community Guidelines and not the rules, so that wouldn't be a bad idea either

Spoilers would still monopolize a Shoutbox conversation, with or without tags. Why is another place to discuss them necessary when there's an entire forum dedicated to the plot?

Coding an SB spoiler tag is just indulging people who can't be bothered with the rules.

I don't get how this is a thing when newbies who joined the site from their first day can post in the shoutbox. I understand you can toggle it with the widgets, but what first day player is going to do that? It is easily accessible from the get go and it shouldn't be until people get more accustomed to the rules, shall must click on agreements .etc. Not everyone is going to the read the rules and I get that, but at least make it where it a form in which every section has a box to be clicked before accepting. Force a person to actually somewhat scan the page and hope they retained some knowledge of the rules.

No I think if people cannot follow a simple rule, then close the shoutbox. As said above, they can use the forums to discuss the plot. The shoutbox is not a big enough space to allow the spoiler tags...there is a reason that you cannot use most sCode there. There have been SO many times that I have asked people not to post spoilers and they just ignore me.

The Shoutbox is a default widget because newbies can seek help there is the reason I've seen posted. Tbh I don't think people should be forced to read the rules, but they should accept the consequences if they choose not too. Do newbies still have limitations on where and when they can post in the forums when they first join?

I wouldn't know as I haven't been a newbie in years. I get that it is easy to seek help as that is how I got activated in the first place, but I see rule breaking common and I am 100% guilty of it too. However with it being a live-time feature I think the rules should at least be agreed to even if they don't read it. I think right now it is just the community guidelines. If they can set up a pop up in the shoutbox around plot/seasonal times where it is like "No Spoilers" and you had to agree to use it as a reminder would be nice. I can't remember the last time I actually read the rules of the shoutbox.

A reminder I would be in support of, but the spoiler tag is just unnecessary. It is a rule for a reason. Especially since you pointed out newbies have default access. Don't ruin their fun of subeta.

Those are very reasonable points. A reminder once a player opens the Shoutbox for the first time would make a lot of sense.

Back on topic though, is it even certain that newbies are the ones breaking the rules? I feel like they are brought up a lot theoretically but I'm not sure that that's necessarily the case here. Also, even seasoned players have issues using sCode so an SB spoiler tag wouldn't change that.

Newbies are not the ones who are consistently breaking the rules, they just are prone to error. Like how to link, or not posting forum links,spoilers just because of excitement for new things. But yes seasoned players do the same thing, more so the spoilers, or taking things too far.

Reminder popup would help solve the spoiler one. Not sure how it would prevent learning how to link or no linking to forums. I am almost in favor of a spam bot in the shoutbox that would sporadically cite a rule or so every half hour or something.

Most of the people who break spoiler rules (from what I have seen) are older users. There are some new users though.

no newbies are not always or even the most often but the instance that closed it this time was newbies not knowing what they were saying was spoiler and the conversation kept on going rather than being dropped.