Achievements: The Future Of Gaming, or the End Of An Era.

By: Sutton Dagger

The release of the Xbox 360 console ushered in a dramatic new change to the way we play games, “Achievements” have altered the experience of interactive entertainment, have we embraced a bright future or lost the very essence of why we play?

The Achievement system incorporated by Microsoft (and soon to be emulated in some shape or form by Sony) is quite simple in its implementation. The human desire for collecting is satisfied with players rewarded with unlockable icons and a progressive points structure, added incentive for completing designated tasks. So what’s wrong with these little enticements you ask? Lets discuss the benefits and shortfalls of such a system.

Its no secret that the Achievement points structure is a major drawcard for the Xbox 360 console, recent studies, particularly that of EEDAR (Electronic Entertainment Design and Research) show a clear correlation between well applied Achievements and higher sales figures. Surprisingly, the results which stand out the most for me, are those in which a game generates less revenue if the Achievements are kept secret, indicating that this system is now a point of purchase.

With such strong indications of the financial benefits it gives to a title, it’s easy to imagine the market being flooded with cheap, unimaginative games, solely designed for increasing your “Gamerscore”. This is where Microsoft has to exert some influence over developers, whereby a range of pre-defined boundaries in regards to implementing Achievements must be put in place. There is a fine line between offering the player these unlockable accomplishments on a silver platter and making them near impossible.

Within the gaming community the general consensus is that the Achievement point system adds a whole new depth to replay-ability. Traditionally once the main story arc of a title had been completed it was generally thought that their was no longer any reason to continue playing a game (other than to absorb what you might have missed on the first run-through). Now with added incentives, such as Achievements and Gamerscore Points, gamers tend to invest more time into a title, trying to unlock those allusive icons.

Though its true we are getting increased replay-ability in some respects, it’s also a double edged sword. Once all the Achievements have been collected from a particular game (especially online orientated FPS) there is even less chance you will come back to play again, the very nature of the Achievement structure is too collect and move on.

Given that the Achievement point system is so addictive and increasing your gamerscore along with it very alluring, It was only a matter of time before players learnt of ways to exploit the process. It has created a whole new breed of cheaters, hell bent on escalating that set of digits. The first group use a method called “game saves” by which the user downloads game data in which the Achievements have been acquired, automatically unlocking the points others have strived to complete. The next bunch use a technique called “boosting”, players organise a set task to complete (eg, get 100 kills) and help each other accomplish the undertaking. Instead of playing the game for enjoyment, its now becoming a chore.

Even if your not part of this “boosting” group, it can still affect your experience with a game, I don’t know how many times I have started a match only to find everyone tediously going off on their own tangent. On the same note it has also produced some of the most competitive, foul-mouthed adolescents you will ever come across. If your merely trying to have fun with the game and play as it was intended your in for a rude shock, getting in the way of someone “boosting” will result in a flurry of cuss words hurled your way. Can we not play just for the fun of it?

The next time your spending vast amounts of time trying to unlock that allusive Achievement, stop and think about if your actually enjoying yourself. Is the intrinsic value of playing the game and having a good experience not enough? Let me know your thoughts on the subject, are they beneficial to the industry or are you not particularly fussed with the whole concept?

Tips N4G