There was an article or awards page in Edge a while back, in which they talked about achievements. They cited Geometry Wars (the first one on XBL – Evolved was it?) as an example of a good set of achievements – things like “Pacifism” completely changed the way you played the game, and so in fact actually added quite a lot of value. Not only are you trying to bash your mates scores, but pull off all the tricks they can’t do. All it takes is to be able to compare with a mate who you’re particularly competitive with and you’ll be playing the game for hours to beat them.

The only other time I remember being that competative in gaming was playing Amplitude with my old flat-mate. No such thing as online scoreboards then – we used to stick Post-it notes to the TV whenever we beat the other’s score.

I consider myself an achievement whore padawan. I own all the games that added to my gamerscore, but they are games I like. I couldn’t think of parting with money over a game that I know I wouldn’t like. However, I’m one of those folks that plays a game to death. Achievements give me ideas of what to aim for after my first playthrough. And I do squeal in glee when I see the achievement unlock.

I never do 100% though… well, except Oblivion.. and that one I’ve done 100% 3 times over. lol

I do have to agree that its the challenging achievements that have the sweetest taste when you get them. I have got to admit i have played some games i didnt like that much just for achievements and i have done absolute brain dead repetitive tasks as well just to boost, and in all honestly i felt so dirty doing it, i was having no fun at all and it was such an effort to sit there to get them.

My favourite kinds of achievements are the ones where u get them for finishing missions/levels of a game. That way you are getting rewarded as you go. Also when theres a game i love i like the achievements for doing again on hard, it adds replay value to the game. What i hate is games that make you get 10000 kills online, i mean come on i dont have the time n patience to sit there and play it for that long. Also i hate games that make you go back thru it like a million times eg ninja gaiden2. And also the achievements where you do it on hard and dont get the easy difficulty ones are just stupid eg guitar hero 3.

I go through my phases where i am hardcore into whoring the achievements and other times im like “why am i even bothering with this”.

My GT is xboxshadowfox if any1 wants to add me n compare gamerscores, i like comparing to people and seeing what theyve got n i dont, sumtimes they know little tricks to getting them that i dont. =D

Anyways later..

I blame Microsoft for making us feel like we’ve accomplished something, just for unlocking an achievement. I do feel some pride when i unlock an achievement but it’s the challenging ones that i always remember, even if they weren’t worth much, like Overkill on Halo 3, since it took me so long to get.

But I have to say, I haven’t played very many games that I either didn’t want to play or used for beating. I did play Avatar, but I was truly interested in the game because I like the cartoon. Unfortunately, the game was absolutely horrible. So I’m going to try to give up the achievement whoring part of me and get back to the part of gaming I love: the games.

Such as Gears of War 1250/1250
Ranbow Six: Vegas 2 1000/1000
Call of Duty 4: 760/1000

I really only strive for games that I like. With these exceptions..

Uno 200/200
Galaga 180/200 -or something like that-
Avatar 1000/1000 -ok so I boosted! I have shame all over my face…-

I don’t know. There’s just something odd that comes over you when you get a new game and a fresh set of achievments to obtain. There’s a certain feeling you get when you get them all, feeling accomplished. But at the same time, your peers look at you in a funny way, like, “Why do they matter, they can’t be used for anything.”

Maybe not, but they don’t understand. For us gamers it’s a whole other circle. We took that box and kicked out the edges forming that circle. We now have something to strive for when playing a game other than just beating it.

Ahh, Achievements, god invented something awesome that day.

-Juggalo x Ninja

DOLL
RAV

I think everyone else is safe at the moment BUT i’ll be watching you