This may be an old discussion—even before the 360 or the PS3 existed. To prove there really is nothing new under the sun:
I was playing the greatest game ever made this afternoon, and as the Emperor’s cronies fired bolts out of their hands and tattooed my arm—I realized it.
All those times I got a new addition to my arm, all those times I received new medals and pins—those were achievements. Nothing has ever been as more rewarding in a game as the wonderful glowing tatoo designs I received on my arm.
Heh. I think it’s the fact that Achievements are tied into something bigger than the game proper.
I’ve been playing Ratchet & Clank on the PS3 and it has ‘skill points’ that pop up here and there like mini achievements when you do different things. As you get more skill points, they unlock things, which is more than can be said for the 360 Achievements.
I’m still miffed about the time I realized that the points I earned on the 360 couldn’t be spent on the Marketplace. Sigh.
I like the idea of achievements, my only issue is that they are global.
On one hand, I could claim before that I beat X-Wing (a very tough game at the time) but if I had Live style achievements that claim could be verified. Is that good or bad?
However, I do like that there are achievements for doing things I wouldn’t have thought of myself, and so I find myself doing things in a game just because the achievement gave me the idea. I don’t always earn it, but it’s still fun to try.
I like the idea of Live achievements just for reviewer accountability alone.
Of course, now most don’t play games on their actual accounts anymore. 😉
Think of all the people that told you they beat a game and they don’t even know what happens at the halfway mark.