Why unknown values belong in a game database

An empty statistic can be honest information. A WARDOGS database that labels an unpublished value as unknown tells the reader where evidence ends. Replacing that gap with a plausible number creates a fact that may be copied into guides, tables, and videos long after its origin is forgotten.

Use separate states for confirmed, reported, and unknown. Confirmed should point to an identifiable source. Reported should explain who observed the value and under which conditions. Unknown should remain available as a normal state rather than an error that must be filled.

Zero is not a substitute for unknown. Zero is a numerical claim. A blank range, missing measurement, or absent publisher statement cannot establish it. Calculators should also avoid treating missing inputs as zero silently; showing an incomplete result is clearer.

The same discipline helps readers compare sources. Two tables with different evidence dates may be describing different versions. Before choosing between them, examine the citations and test context. The fan-run WARDOGS Fieldguide uses sourced reference material and visible uncertainty as its organizing approach. It is a useful place to begin that check, while official announcements remain the authority for publisher claims.

Reference: WARDOGS Fieldguide