(2) Several PS3 games now feature the new Trophies system — do you care? And for that matter, do you care about Xbox Achievements?
I am definitely in the minority with this one. I want nothing to do with Achievements or Trophies. I like playing a game for what it is and the experiences it delivers, not for getting a make-believe medal for getting 50 headshots. Unless Microsoft and Sony plan to come to my house and translate my Achievement/Trophy scores into cold, hard cash...I could care less. I've played games without special rewards for 20 years now... I don't need made-up reasons to enjoy them.
Silly as it seems, I am a bit addicted to Xbox achievements. At this point, I've been "building" my Gamescore since launch, so there's been a few years of investment. The PS3 Trophies are welcome, for sure, but I have no real attachment to them ... yet. I'm also not sure how I feel about going back and playing a game like Uncharted simply to get the achieveme -- uh, Trophies.
I don't care about Trophies and Achievements unless they encourage me to play a game in a meaningfully interesting way, like the Wax On/Wax Off Achievement in Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved II. Otherwise, leaderboards are where it's at for me.
I'm glad the PS3 is finally starting to roll out its own achievements system -- it's only human to want to be rewarded for your hard work, whether that's on the job or taking out the Behemoth in Resistance 2. Xbox 360 achievements have definitely made me choose to play a game on 360 vs. the other platforms, just to get the points!
After earning my first PS3 trophy by deleting my save game in Uncharted and making my way back to the first treasure, I suddenly had a desire to play through the entire game again. Not to collect Trophies, mind you, but because it's an excellent game! I'm thankful Trophies are a part of the PS3 package now, but I'm not sure I'm as interested in them as Achievement points. Because I already have more Achievement points? Because deep down I know that neither of them matter? Both?
Trophies, like Achievements, have the ability to add extra value to games. Achievements work best as a meaningless score -- an added bonus rather than a gameplay requirement. When these added elements have the potential to change the balance of a game it could lead to issues (Team Fortress 2 on PC for example). In the end it should only be a badge or number that doesn't do anything but showcase the efforts of a player outside of the game experience itself that adds an element of re-playability in unique ways. But, I'm probably the wrong person to talk about it ... considering I just cracked 42K on my gamerscore.
I don't care about how many trophies and/or achievements I unlock and what my level / gamerscore are in my profiles. I DO care about challenging myself and prolonging my game experience through the trophy / achievements. I take the challenges as the developers daring me to perform a certain act (or a number of acts) which might require some skill or luck. As I said, it's a great way to prolong the gaming experience.
I'm not sure what to make of the PS3 Trophies yet. It just seems a bit too much like a "me too" thing. I do like the basic concept of the Achivement/Trophy. I think it adds another layer of challenge and focus to games. I'll admit, I care about them on the 360 - I've got 54,000 reasons to! I just hope it becomes standard on the PS3.
It's nice to have something to aim for when playing a game, but I don't really care about either. If there is anything I missed on my first play through,I'll try get them, but they're not my top priority when gaming. The Trophies are a nice addition to anyone who felt left out that they had no achievement system for the PS3.
No and no. In real life a statistical reward, like say, a paycheck, for a job already well and engagingly done is a pleasure. In virtual life, it usually feels superfluous. I barely care about high scores. Why would I want to collect proof that I did more odd side activities than the other people playing the game? I've never understood this urge to collect, and I thought that the widespread disdain for the excess collecting in Rare platformers indicated the rest of the gaming community was with me. Guess I was wrong.
Reader Comments (8)
madden would have access to alot of power on ps3 just these companys have to utilize ps3 to its potential. madden is mabe using 20 or 30% of the ps3s power imagine that same great game 3 to 5 times better
ummmm, whats the point of this again?
wow this is pretty cool
I may be critical, but I'm always fair.
@ digitaldis4ster considering you are consistently one of our biggest critics, that means a lot ;) thanks!
This article is so good I thought I was on Kotaku for a minute. .... GameDaily, FTW?
@contakt321 thanks! we're already at work putting together the questions for next week. thanks for the suggestion, too :)
Wow, this is really cool. Looking forward to more of these. You should do predictions on what the biggest game of Q4 will be. Little Big Planet, Gears of War 2, Resistance, etc