Microsoft Introduces MyAchievements System to a Resounding “Who the Hell Cares?”

Paul LaCen writes "I really hate to say this, and it’s mainly because I play my Xbox a lot more than my PS3, but anyone who has both and is paying for Xbox Live in lieu of PSN+ is cheating themselves."

[Excalibur]

Agreed on every point.

Yeah, I get that you are giving something back but if you are going to go through all this motion of making the "perk" then make it worth my while.

At this point I'd rather you didn't screw up my M$ points into having odd amounts.

The M$ points system is screwy enough without having balances like 853 points or 469 points.

If you are going to do it at least doing it with amounts like 5-10%.

[darthv72]

at least it's better than nothing at all.

I certainly wasnt expecting them to do this and as such I wont discredit them for doing it either.

That's why it's a perk.

[Redgehammer]

I have been a rewards member since Dec 2010. In that time I have accumulated: 1990 MSP, 4 avatar props, 2 avatar outfits, Some cool forum banners, and a pretty darn good report on how much I game. Now, I will get 2% back on all my purchases, and I dont see how that is a bad thing. I wonder if people gripe like this about getting 1 to 2% back on their credit cards? I am a hardcore XBL user, and this will benefit me.

[saladthieves]

While Microsoft is doing this, Sony is busy giving us free games if you happen to be subscribed on PS+... really makes you wonder - how did they (Microsoft) get here?

[darthv72]

I have to say you are clearly the first to put that statement into 'almost' the proper context.

But you left off an important piece. You need to state that the free games PS+ gives are only free for the extent of the subscription.

I will give you a +bub and an agree.

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

They need to be valve..

[Droid Control]

Pathetic.

When a brought my 360 in 2005 I found myself playing games I had brought long after I would have stopped.

Not because they were good, or had any reply value, but because of the achievements. Where in 2004 I would have returned disappointing games for new ones, now I found myself holding onto them for a few extra weeks, forcing myself to play the crap, just so my Gamerscore was bigger than my friends.

I now have over 100,000 and couldn't care less. I feel like such a tool for wasting all that time jumping through hoops second rate developers placed upon me for all those years.

Now I wish I could erase those games from my gamer profile and the achievements gained from them.

[rezzah]

Try playing for the experience and not quantitative reasoning.

You may fine that the games you play are overall more enjoyable than those which play-ability relies on achievements/hours playing = worth.

[Vitalogy]

Why is this in the ps3 section anyway? *sigh*

[Abriael]

Maybe because the article also talks about PSN+?

Why do you comment without reading the article anyway? *sigh*

[JasonKCK]

Abriael is right it does mention the PS3 so its fair game

[ALLWRONG]

Was going to reply to the comment below but it looks like it got hit.

LOL and it's not even trolling

[ChunkyLover53]

Lets all complain that free stuff isn't free enough! If the other console makers were to do something like this, people here would be acting like it was the greatest idea ever!

Microsoft already has Achievements in every single Xbox 360 game, they are the only company to have that. They also offer free Avatar Awards from playing through games, Gamer Pictures and now even more added bonuses! Lets all complain and act like we are all entitled to more though.

I swear, I've been gaming since the late 1980's and I've never been part of a generation that acted so entitled in all my life. Complain about free stuff, complain about game endings, complain, complain, complain, oh COD doesn't change enough, Resident Evil changed too much..whah, whah, whah......

I wonder if people would have signed petitions or contacted lawyers when they play Super Mario 2? turns out the whole stupid thing was a dream...SPOILERS.

[Rykoshet]

Let's be serious here, the MyAchievements system is a joke. There are other trophy systems on other platforms and overall, this is a matter of comparison. Which is worth your money? Microsoft is sitting happily because PSN was lackluster at first, but comparison years later shows that Sony is offering much more with their subscription platform than MS.

[JBSleek]

Economics 101: Nothing is free.

On point, as a consumer you have a right to complain about something that is "free" or anything a firm is selling. That is as saying PS gamers have no right to complain about the network used as it is free. Also $300+ for console and $50+ Live and other games isn't impartially free.

Now you do have a point that complaining is somewhat of an issue yet the way you explain that comes across as self righteous and pompous.

[rezzah]

Anything provided as free always has some prior/present/future cost.

[Locksus]

I partially agree with you. It's great that Achievements are of some use now but I think that Sony's Plus is still better than Live Gold (Keep in mind that I'm no fanboy of any company/console or whatever). I think it's pretty stupid to pay 50 euros a year (Yeah it ain't THAT much but still I hate doing it as I could buy one game more a year with that price) just to play online and browse the internet (which I can do on my computer just fine.

And nothing beats free games, especially not 2% discount which isn't probably all that noticeable.

But I wholeheartedly agree with you that people still find a reason to complain pretty much about everything. Sometimes the complaining is justified but most of the time it gets out of hand and is just plain pathetic.

*EDIT*
And I won't benefit from these perks as the program isn't available in Finland. Probably never will be.

[JasonKCK]

I would agree if PSN and Live were the same but they're not. I pay for PSN plus but I dont get all the same features as Live. I cant party up with my friends on PSN if we're playing different games. Im not saying Live is better than PSN but it is an advantage.

[Locksus]

@JasonKCK

Yes, I agree there are some better features in XBL than in PSN but the fact that PSN doesn't have cross-game chat is due to the memory limitations on the PS3.

[maniacmayhem]

Even though I agree that the perks they are giving out is very "meh", to bash all of Live is downright stupid.

He lists all the perks of PS+ which are really good perks by the way, but for the same price you also get really good perks for Live, which everyone seems to forget or throw under the rug.
You get early access to DLC content, which everyone on N4G b*tch*s about saying it is unfair that 360 owners get this and not PS3, but this is one of the perks for having Live.

You even get access to a lot of exclusive DLC content which I have also seen a lot of people on N4G complain about and even go as far as saying they will ban the dev for not supporting their system.

You also get discounts, sales and demos on ALL(98%) games on Live.

Yes, the MyAchievements System right now is pretty lackluster but it is new. Maybe with time MS will refine it and offer more and more. You know the same thing Sony did with their + service over a length of time.

[Rykoshet]

That's a fair point of view, maybe Microsoft will step up their perk system in the future. I wouldn't deem it impossible. If Sony could improve over time, there's nothing saying that Microsoft won't.

But for now, PSN+ is stomping out Xbox Live Gold.

[zebramocha]

@maniac Getting dlc on the xbox first is not a perk because everybody knows the money they pour in to dlc could've been used to make a new ip or bring back a games that people want.

@Ben Sony could do the same and you wouldn't need psn+,they only do that with dlc because they don't want to make exclusive games.

[Ben_Grimm]

@ zebramocha
That statement makes no sense at all.

How is it not a perk? Just as maniac said they are making sure Live gets this first before anyone else. This sounds like a perk to me. Please explain how that offering is not a perk.

[Neonridr]

what?!? Super Mario Bros. 2 was all a dream??

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I'm all done now, I got nothing else to live for. Someone roll me out to the pasture and shoot me...

[from the beach]

There's nothing more sickening than people who feel they should get something free for just playing games.

Oh, wait there is - people who take pride in reaching one of these 'status levels'.

[Christopher]

I dunno. I think the people who complain about things that have no effect on them might be worse.

[from the beach]

See below, just derp'd with a reply to wrong comment.

[from the beach]

Sounds like you're complaining about my comment.

Has it effected you? :>

[Christopher]

I shared an opinion, I didn't complain about you or say that you are "sickening".

Reading comprehension?

[from the beach]

Now you're complaining about my use of the word "sickening"?

Got any opinions on the thread topic, lol?

[Christopher]

Yup. Reading comprehension issue.

[aquamala]

When I see someone with high achievement scores or trophies or plats, all I think of is "wow this guy has a lot of free time"

[from the beach]

Hey, it's not easy to fire the same gun 1,000 times.

Takes true skill.

[DivineAssault]

It felt great canceling my XBLG membership.. I paid them money for 4 years which couldve been 4 new games i couldve bought instead.. U know u cant even voice chat with anyone if u dont have gold? screw that, im done w them & wont give em a dime of my cash ever again.. Kinect games are flooding its library now? Sorry MS u can go the casual route without me.. Nx gen i wont be buying anything they have

[dazzrazz]

You can do a private chat.

[DivineAssault]

true but why would i want to turn on my xbox just to private chat? I dont mind conversing with my friends during games or while im the middle of playing another but to have a conversation idly isnt very interesting..

[Redgehammer]

Wow someone that feels exactly like I do, except I feel that vway about Sony. You couldn' t pay me to own any Sony electronic device., and ai could use the money. Sony, in my personal experience, is a duplicitous company; and no matter how many bribes it offers, I will never be impressed. Please note that I think the PS3 is a facinating piece of hardware, and I admire the concept of its chip design; however I give most of that credit to IBM.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Why do so many people call it PSN+

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I love that MS went in this direction, but they need to do more. The levels of discount just don't convey a reward that is worthy of even talking to others about. 2%... MS, you should have gone atleast to 5%. I am sure I would still feel that is not enough but it feels a hell of a lot better than 2%.

[Neonridr]

the PSN network being free plus the Nintendo Network supposedly being free is going to make Microsoft really have to think hard and long about their next move..

[NirvanaInChains]

they would of been better off giving ten dollars off a year of gold. 2 percent is not even worth mentioning. Also what an embarrassing birthday gift.

[grayfoxx881]

Free stuff is always good, but something this insignificant is a little insulting. I have supported the 360 since launch, bought over a hundred games and tons of dlc, and for years I've payed for online play that is free on every other platform. My gamer score is over 50,000. This is the reason why I let my gold subscription expire. Microsoft pisses on its customer base, and doesn't even have the decency to call it rain. The company is just banking cash with LIVE subscriptions and whoring out the dashboard to advertisements. Thanks for giving back to the gaming community, Microsoft.

[Redgehammer]

Just because you feel pissed on does not mean that we all do.

[grayfoxx881]

I like how your comment was civil. Thanks for that. There are too many people on this site that are rude or that comment on posts without reading it through, or even thinking. Hey, that's great that you feel that way. I wish I could feel like Microsoft still provides some sort of value to me as a gamer. I had the original Xbox with tons of games and was an avid 360 player until earlier this year. From my perspective, Microsoft is catering too heavily to the casual market and taking advantage of their customers. And judging by other comments found on many gaming sites and stories, I'm not the only one with this perspective.

[Redgehammer]

You are welcome, and ditto. I am sorry to read that you feel disenfranchised by something you apparently used to enjoy; however, I absolutely do not share that sentiment. While I do agree that MS has attempted to get more customers from within the casual space; i disagree that it was to the detriment to the core gamer. Between disc based games and XBLA, I have more games to play than time, and unfortunately I have plenty of time. I could ramble on ad nauseam about how much fun I have, how entertained I am, and how pleased I am with my 360 and XBL, but I will spare you from that that avalanche of verbosity. We all have different perceptions and vantage points from which we perceive value, and for me, the 360 and XBL are extremely valuable.

[WiiLovePS360]

All I know is that for me everything i buy on the Xbox Live Marketplace on either my Xbox 360, my Windows Phone 7, or my PC is now 2% cheaper than it was a few days ago.

Can someone please tell me how that is something to complain about? Would you rather not have the 2% discount? You would prefer to pay more for something?

Also I have read here on N4G a few times since I joined about people complaining about only being able to buy 400ms points or more at a time, and that the PS Store is better because you can just pay what you need - I just went to buy a PSOne game on my Vita (Jet Rider to be specific) for $8.45. I had to add money to my "wallet" in $10 increments, the minimum being $10 obviously.

Am I missing something here? Is there a way to only pay the $8.45 for the game? There were only 2 payment options, credit card or pre-paid PSN card, and the credit card option only allowed me to purchase in $10 increments.

[lodossrage]

There is, if you make the purchase directly from your credit card, it only takes the exact amount. You have to add money right from the point of purchase.

DON'T put money in from the account manager or else it won't work

[WiiLovePS360]

Thank you! I might just have to buy another game off the PS Store to try this out :D