Discussing accomplishments...
Discussing accomplishments...
I already have my reasons, and I’m open to a meaningful conversation on this subject. Please listen carefully, share your views, and form your own opinions. Here we go!
So, I might admit that the idea itself isn’t terrible... BUT.
That 'but' is how game developers usually handle it.
To me, it looks like they just drop them in to hit a certain target, regardless of whether it makes sense or not.
The typical 'kill x number of enemies'—in any form—feels like empty talk.
It has absolutely no significance for the player; it’s just there to exist. Let’s be real: do you like knowing you’ve just defeated a 15th headless foe with a shotgun? I’m sure it’s the same as the 5th, 10th, or 20th.
The ones about finishing a chapter could easily disappear too. It seems they’re only there to mark how far into the story the player has gone. Of course, when executed well, they can add some fun value, but rarely is that the case.
My opinion is that an achievement should make the player feel proud, saying 'you’ve accomplished something impressive or valuable.'
It’s meant to empower them and give them a sense of satisfaction. In short: it offers a bit of entertainment.
I get really frustrated when people say they’re 'farming platinums.' Replaying the same parts over and over just to experience that trivial stuff.
It then feels like a contrived method used by developers to stretch out the game’s life. Just a sneaky trick.
And the most annoying part is when it affects the player’s decisions inside the game.
When you’re given a choice but also know there’s an achievement along the way, you feel forced into one path.
One offers rewards, the other doesn’t; for our simple minds, the choice feels fake and completely undermines the enjoyment we expected. The joy of shaping your own story.
I’m aware there are many other angles I could discuss, but I’ve been working on this topic for a few days and kept shifting my focus. Let’s let the discussion continue.
If you don't want them, just overlook them. For instance, turning off the Steam overlay means you won't notice it, even though it remains visible in the client. Of course, you can choose to ignore it.
For me, achievements can sometimes be useful because they bring enjoyment. The challenge of reaching certain goals can be fun. Of course, this depends on what kind of achievement it is—completing a massive task like "kill 10,000,000 enemies" might feel like just repetitive work.
I find automatic achievements intriguing since they let you compare your progress with others. It's odd when a game shows that only a small percentage of players have finished. That feedback could be helpful for developers too.
Interesting method, I believe I’ve considered something similar before, but sincerely, it seems to come down to personal taste.
Even with accomplishments, you’re allowed the chance to attempt them, and while it’s clear how one might feel compelled to finish them, that’s not mandatory.
I just think they can provide some satisfaction in a way, though again: the outcome really depends on how it’s done. For example, defeating a tough boss in a side quest you’d have completed without losing health could feel especially rewarding, particularly if few others have done it. But keep in mind: you might end up playing differently or feeling frustrated by certain challenges.
It's not really about disliking them appearing. In my situation, self-discipline works best. A firm resolve not to search for them before playing.
If I know I can achieve something, I choose to do it.
For example, in Bioshock Infinite I've been using a pistol against enemies even though I already had a machine gun, just because I wanted more kills for the achievement.
Now I realize the frustration could stem from not being strong-willed enough to overlook them...
The original goal (which I believe hasn’t been fully realized) is somewhat missing from the list of accomplishments. When I enjoy a game, I sometimes look for achievements. This usually leads me to finish just two games using it. What often holds me back from seeking these milestones is the idea that the initial purpose was simply to show players they can achieve many things in the game, encouraging them with badges and points. That original aim still exists in the form of "X kills with weapon Y," which helps ensure players try all weapon options without a clear objective.
I play games that already have achievements, such as Skyrim (I’m not sure if I completed it in normal or SE mode) and Sonic Generations. The achievements there are fairly standard, though some stand out. Skyrim has many quests that require completing entire storylines, and Sonic includes challenges like clearing a stage in 60 seconds. There are also numerous "just do this" tasks, such as purchasing land or changing your appearance.
Some achievements are designed to push players toward specific actions, like buying plots of land or interacting with characters in unique ways. Others require precise dialogue choices, which can be tricky and might need a save file to recover. Occasionally, an achievement might be achieved by simply playing the game without external help.
In short, an achievement should motivate players to try something they might otherwise avoid, but it shouldn’t just be another generic "just do this" task that many overlook.
I have a great example for that.
I played XCOM: Enemy Unknown mostly without checking achievements.
I had a lot of fun, so after finishing the game I looked them up to see what else was available, right?
I discovered you can actually use that item to catch aliens on those human enemies in the fraction section, and they will die themselves, meaning you won’t get any intel from them.
I never did that because I assumed the item was alien-specific and thought it was a cool interaction. If I had tried just to test it out, I bet it would be something worth noticing and earning recognition for (as an achievement).
It's something you either care about or you don't. I rarely pursue 100% completion since my interest fades after finishing the story. PC achievements are even less appealing because mods can unlock them, though that feels as frustrating as playing solitaire and impressive to others. If you want to skip achievements, the Epic Games Store currently has none.
When you notice a tank in your squad with "3rd" Marks of Excellence on its gun barrel (achievement) in World of Tanks, it signals a strong likelihood that the player will support everyone in the team. This accomplishment likely brings a sense of pride for the owner and can be perceived as either a protective advantage or a significant risk during combat by others.