Do Trophies and Achievements Matter?

Sean Mesler poses the question 'Do Trophies and Achievements Matter?' to the SpawnFirst staff.

[moparful99]

Do they matter? Matter is a relative term. Do trophies and achievement enhance your enjoyment/ percieved value of a game? If yes then they matter.

I know for me they give me a sense of accomplishment. When I meet someone new I see how my trophy score stacks up. With the advent of the rarity system that Sony implemented with trophies it adds another level of accomplishement. Getting a trophy that less than 1% of the gaming community has is a rewarding feeling.

[admiralvic]

"With the advent of the rarity system that Sony implemented with trophies it adds another level of accomplishement. Getting a trophy that less than 1% of the gaming community has is a rewarding feeling."

I really wish Sony either had more precise numbers or gave me a better idea of what the real ratio is on some games. I know this might sound like an extreme nitpick (in a lot of ways it is), but some games have figures so low that they display 0.1% (Lost Planet 2's platinum is that low) and it could actually mean only 1 or 2 people have it, even if .1% could be as high as 10,000+ people.

[moparful99]

You're right there could be 10's of thousands, however it doesn't change the fact that less than 1% of people the people that played that game achieved what you did.. It would still be nice to know exact figures..

[Ratty]

Trophies are cool. Not necessary but neat. I'll personally only platinum games I really like.

Like you said it's pretty cool when you get a rare trophy.

[Ozmoses]

go to PSNProfiles.com if you want some serious trophy statistics

just type in your PSN name or any PSN name to see the info...

it breaks it down super crazy... time of day, day of week, Ranks A-E on game completion, how many trophies per month.. stuff like that.

[THE-COMMANDER]

I totally agree with you, well said.

[incredibleMULK]

Trophies are a waste of time. Platinums are good, they should give out gamer points and when u reach 100% or 1000 gamer points they should award you a platinum next to your gamer Id.

So if my name is velveta_ANNIE and I had 50000 gamer points and 17 platinums it should read velveta_ANNIE 17/50000........much better than name level 14 then clicking compare trophies, and waiting 3 hours for it to sync just to see how many platinums some 12 year old has. For all this "power" ps4 has how come it takes soooo looong to compare trophies?.....why is Xbox 360 with inferior hardware quicker at comparing gamer points with other gamers. Greatness awaits.

Smh.

[moparful99]

I completely disagree with you. When you look at someone's gamerscore it really doesn't tell you much.

Also 100 percenting a game on the gamerscore system doesn't reward you with anything signifying that achievement. With the trophy system you can easily see at a glance what level someone is at.

When you look at someones gamer card on PSN it shows you how many bronze, silver, gold, and platinum trophies they have. Gold and especially platinum trophies impact your trophy level much more than bronze and silver.

Sycing trophies is a pain and needs to be fixed but that is a Network issue and not the console so your snide remarks about the PS4 are incorrect.

I personally think that the trophy system is better than the gamerscore system but of course this is purely my opinion...

[liquidhalos]

I never really cared about achievements last gen on my 360, however with the ps4 I've started to take note of my trophies, especially the ultra rare ones. I really like what Sony did with trophies, especially showing the overall percentage of players that have unlocked them.

[Imalwaysright]

Not to me. I have a huge backlog and when I finish a game I just move on to another one.

[yeahright2]

Funny, I don't feel like I've completed a game unless I get all the trophies. I usually don't move on until I hear that chime for the platinum, unless of course a game has a trophy that is just too difficult and/or time consuming like the watch dogs drinking game, vanquish special challenges or metal gear solid 4's 8 hour don't move trophy.

Also don't bother with mp trophies as I'm more a single player guy.

[Tetsujin]

I feel the same way, I've gamed before trophies/achievements existed, and will continue to game even after they phase out. I use them as a way to prove I've completed a game (or the storyline) however to boost my epeen that's what competitive gaming is for.

[josephayal]

It's fun to get them

[Ausbo]

And they are super addictive

[MysticStrummer]

Not to me. In my opinion they are a cheap way for devs to give the illusion of more content when in fact we're getting less than we used to.

[JBSleek]

You think we are getting less content in games then we used to? Really? I mean I don't know what games you are playing.

[MysticStrummer]

I don't know what games you are playing that you think we're getting more.

I've noticed two things in the last few generations…

1) Generally shorter campaigns

2) "Normal" difficulty is the old "Easy" difficulty

There are of course exceptions. I also don't count multiplayer as a huge percentage when I'm thinking about content. Devs provide maps. We provide most of the fun.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

exactly

[dillhole]

I think it's the opposite. I think that devs often spend a lot of time working on small elements, areas, secrets that 90% of gamers will never see. A trophy system is a good way of seeing at a glance how much of the game you have actually missed.

[MysticStrummer]

The vast majority of Trophies/Achievements are easily obtainable. A tiny minority are like what you describe. There are of course exceptions to the rule. Most gamers who aren't what would be described as casual will earn many Gold Trophies.

[JBSleek]

If you are comparing games from generation four to now you can easily see a huge jump in campaign size as well as scope.

Stop buying games with short campaigns.

[MysticStrummer]

I've been gaming since the 70s. I have no idea what generation # this is. Just telling you what I've noticed.

[Highlife]

@mystic
Then you must have been high during the 70's and 80's. Games were beyond short then. The early Mario games could be finished in minutes. All those old Nintendo games could be finished in an hour or so.

[MysticStrummer]

@Highlife - I'm clearly talking about games since the start of the Trophy/Achievement era…

I'm not sure how that's not obvious, given what I've said.

[N2NOther]

Shorter campaigns compared to what? Besides RPGs I can't think of any games from the NES/SNES/pS1 era that had long campaigns. And I can think of a ton of moder games that do.

[MysticStrummer]

I'm talking about games since the advent of Trophies and Achievements, obviously.

Last generation compared to the previous one.

[N2NOther]

Yeah, I just don't see it that way. Again, outside of RPGS and open-world games, campaigns have been about the same. Max Payne 2 was about 7 hours. I beat it in a day.

[Kyosuke_Sanada]

Wholeheartedly agree MysticStrummer. Unlockables and worthy New Game plus items were plentiful before the DLC wagon fully taked off with most companies using trophies to increase replay value instead. I'm not saying that they should disappear mine you but if I had to choose between unlocking a new character, costume, hidden boss or weapon in a game (single player of course) or a trophy, Ill go with the unlockables every time.

[thricetold]

Agreed as well. These new gamers haven't a clue what we have lost since trophies and achievements came to be. Everything you do now for a worthless trophy use to get you something useful in-game that you now have to BUY ala dlc.

New skins, outfits, gear, etc, all used to be given in-game as a way to offer replay value. Not anymore because you all love to hear a worthless"ding"! they'd rather charge us because you all either dont care or dont know. Either way its the entire industry that has taken a hit because of it. And yes, MS started this crap just like they started pay to play online.

Wake the f up people.

[happpy11]

Trophies can add some replay value for some people, but sometimes it gets out of hand( Example: In Little Big Planet 1 and 2, there are trophies for have x amount of hearts for your user created levels and x amount of hearts that you receive as an author. Some people suck at making decent levels so they ask for a heart and they'll return the favor.)This is why I dislike trophy hunters. When I'm playing a game, I make\set my own goals.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

Nope. They are irrelevant

[DLConspiracy]

Of course they matter. The points made were good. One thing I don't think a lot of people realize is that you can actually earn things for your achievements on XBL. I just recently found out. I got an entire year of Xbox Live for my achievements rewards program.

So hell yeah that's even more reason. They even have tiers now that get you more points for everything you buy or earn. So that you can continue to earn free stuff. So yes. yes they are.

[PrinceOfAllSaiyans]

I don't really care for either but when you hear that Trophy ding or Achievment boop it's kind of cool

[Sniperwithacause]

Trophies are nice to try and obtain. Just wish the Wii U had them also. That's the only reason why I can't stay focused on the Nintendo system.

[Ozmoses]

to an extent... When they first showed up I didn't really pay them any attention..

However, now hearing the little ding on PS3/PS4 gives me a little smile.

Also I use it as an indicator sometimes... I mean if I beat a game and get every trophy/Platinum than I consider that game 100% complete and I believe I got my money out of it.

It changes game to game. Some games I know have trophies I'll never complete.. Some trophies are so long that you get bored trying to chase them.

I like to complete my games and try to get all the trophies but I actually play the game before I strictly just go for the trophies.

in simple terms - Trophies/Achievements encourage multiple playthroughs

[Knushwood Butt]

No, but they can be fun and addictive.

Also, they are not and should not be the main reason for playing games.

I stumbled across a level 40ish PSN account the other day. Turned out they had quit gaming. No surprise. Burned themselves out whoring trophies. The Hannah Montana plat was in there, along with three different versions of Frogger Returns...

[mcarsehat]

Not since about 2009, no.

[Crazay]

No - they don't technically matter at all but they sure are a helluva good time to get.

[Revolt13]

87k and counting

[Summons75]

Nope. They're the worst excuse for replayabilty ever. Devs forget that there way more classics and more replayed game preachivments than there were last gen. Hidden content and great gameplay/story make a game repayable not a check list of how the devs want you to play a game.

[N2NOther]

Well I don't usually go for them unless the game is fun to play.

[Goro]

My 36 platinum trophies says yes.

[Mr Marvel]

My 49 Plats definitely agree with you. ;)

[ShaunCameron]

For some games, they matter. Achievement/Trophies give me an incentive to re-play games if I deem them easy to get.

[corvusmd]

Yes

[Illusive_Man]

Achievements and trophies are last year. Game Arena is now.

[Mr Marvel]

What is Game Arena?

[gobluesamg]

Sometimes I find myself concentrating on getting the trophys and not just enjoying the game as much. I made myself stop looking at the trophy list before my first play through.

[Dan50]

I'd rather have cheat codes again!

[thawind]

I can't live without them.

[Slick81]

He'll yes! that little sound on xb1 when that achievement hits brightens up my day.

[HaHa_Ostrich]

I do not hunt for trophies. Give trophies some value and I might start. Like you get a 10 plats, heres a discount for skin pack for your favourite game, or a theme for free, or a secret cheat code. You know, something small but rewarding. I remember playing Tekken back in the day, all day long, because I heard a rumor you could get a special skin or a character, if you defeated a rival at some stage at some ridiculous conditions. I would do it for a trophy if I knew Im getting something out of it, besides a number on my trophy count.
Also I wish for a 3D trophy room, like that from the HOME presentation videos.

[mydyingparadiselost]

I hate them, I've turned off the notifications on my consoles.
I play a lot of games and whenever I see someone with a huge gamerscore I see someone who either has way too much time on their hands or that spends their day playing anything just to get more trophies/achievements or whatever.
If the game has to give you some kind of arbitrary point collection to offer replay value then they're doing it wrong, the game should be able to stand on its own merit and be enjoyable. One of the things I really like about the WiiU is a lack of games that use any kind of achievement system, I like playing the game in a way that I feel rewarded just by playing the game and setting my own goals and standards. I mean, to each their own, if it works for you then great, but I haven't been interested since this stuff started and I haven't found much of a reason to be interested since.

[N2NOther]

So someone having an abundance of free time is a bad thing?

[Rob_Ko]

hell yeah they matter, sometimes I play games on PC but it's like "meh, if only there were trophies"

Trophies add additional value to games, more longevity, more competition, more fun

[dansdooz]

on the 360 they mattered to me but on the xbox one microsoft seems to have taken the relevance out of them a little

[MasterofMagnetism]

Yes. There are alot of older games that I wish had trophies.

[Mr Marvel]

PS3,PS4 & Vita Trophies matter to me.

[Harmy666]

Yes. Article over.

[thricetold]

I blame the new kids on the block that need to be rewarded for every little thing they do. They don't know value and haven't a clue that they are falling right in line with what pubs want to do.

Strip everything out of the game that has value, resell it as dlc, replace it with worthless content, market it as a good thing for gamers.

How do you not see this?

[RosweeSon]

Nope and I've got a gamerscore of over 180k was great while it lasted and I was a gamerscore wh0re at one point but much happier just playing the games for fun hence why I'm loving my 3ds and wii u, vita is also pretty good alongside my ps3/4, xbox is getting retired and even with my 6/7 years worth of gamerscore I won't be going next gen with Microsoft anytime soon, they were just a great novelty feature for their time, theirs more to gaming than the trophies and achievements attached to the game, I see them as more of a side quest or extra if still wanting something out of the game and still have some trophies left (unless it's grind to level 100 or whatever) the most important thing is the game itself not the novelty achievements attached to it, if a game is a turd it can have the best or easiest achievements going, not interested, just want great games.

[yhaby05]

YES