Xbox 360 Achievements VS Everything Else Videogaming

[Wreckon Dracgon]

A couple of months ago a recurring question kept creeping into my head anytime I was playing another game other than an Xbox 360 game in which I need to earn achievements on "Why am I playing this when I could be earning points on GRAW, Burnout, Battlefield, etc..."

This lead me to a life altering decision... I traded in all of my games hold those that I just can't part with (Sith Lords, Jade Empire, God of War, GTA San Andreas, etc...) which gave me a few thousand dollars in store credit at the local GameCrazy and a lot of empty bookshelves.

So lets fast forward to this weekend and I'm about to play my PS2 for the first time in almost eight months, I turn it on see the blue light turn green and that ding ding sound I haven't heard in months and I say to myself "I should really finish playing Top Spin instead of playing Dragonball" (which I've had since Christmas and never even opened)

And that's when I realized I'm never going to play another game system again. (hold for PS 3 which will also have so type of achievement system and screw up my life in sad ways) At least for now the achievements and games have been fun to play and earn (hold King Kong).

My question to you is am I the only one that feels this way. I can't be the only one whose PS2 has become a doorstop, and GameCube nothing more than a paper weight to hold down my latest copy of EGM.

[Nukeshell]

Well, I used to play a lot on my PS2. But since I bought the Xbox 360 I never played it again. I think I will sell it in a month or 2.

[snafegeeza]

Im exactly the same as you mate. My 360 broke recently and when I was at a loose end during that time I got out my PS2. Started a couple of games of rainbow six lockdown and black arrow and it just wasnt the same as before. After I had finished a level I was expecting a little clinking noise and an achievement unlocked icon popping up. I just dont get the same enjoyment out of these games anymore. Achievements give me somthing to aim for, a target to reach. Playing the PS2 again will never be the same for me, which is a shame really.:eek:

[P1NSEEKER]

Interesting point. I myself traded in my ps2 but this was so i could afford to pay for my 360. As for my old xbox i only play that now to use the various emulators that run off it! I think the new live service on the 360 that makes it so life altering. Playing on my 360 whilst not connected to live just dosent feel right somehow

EDIT: 3 responses in 3 minutes!

[ScottEvil30]

Yeah pretty much the same. My PS2 hasn't been used since January, well apart from a brief go on 24 the game.

My Gamecube gets used by the missus quite a bit but, again, I haven't used it in 2006.

[Wreckon Dracgon]

Snafegeeza you make a good point unlocking the achievements really do give you something to play for, and a reason to play. I've had videogames all my life, but over the last seven years, getting married, having four children, advancing ones career, videogames took a back seat and I hardly ever played. I still have Jak 2, Jak 3, Ace Combat 4, and Ace Combat 5, etc... for Goodness Sakes I have GTA San Andreas for PS2, and Xbox and have never played the damn game, all are still new and unopened and I purchased them the day they came out.

Yet after playing my Xbox 360 on Christmas all of that seemed to change in an instance. It was like I have to play it to see that little green light and Achievement Unlocked.

Like now, I love Top Spin. However in the past would I really play through five seasons in career, no I'd play one or two seasons until my player is maxed out and then play online or against friends, but with the achievements I've got to get through five seasons, and I've got to end it with 1,000 career points to unlock those achievements, and the great part is it's so fun to play. Maybe it's because I'm playing for a purpose but god I love gaming again.

[Psycence]

I totally agree with this, MS really struck gold with the achievements, which when announced I was a little dubious of their value but my god...

I have'nt touched any other console for months save my dreamcast because I need to play samba de amigo :P

I even gave the new fifa world cup game a blast, which ill admit I only rented for achievements but I had great fun with it and it opened my eyes again on fifa games, this is what I like about the achievements. It gets us to play stuff we would'nt normally so gives us the chance to fall in love with something totally new for us

[Waaaaaaaak]

You got GTA San Andreas for Xbox AND PS2 on the day of release?? You've NEVER opened them?? Why would you do this, unless you have a serious problem?

Anyhow, I too sold my PS2 before getting my 360, but hung onto my Gamecube because of Mario Party. Still think it is more fun beating my mates, who are in the same room as me, than random people on Live.

The achievement points don't really interest me either (you could probably have guessed this from my Gamerscore). Sure, it's nice to show the world that you've completed a game, but I doubt anyone but you really cares (unless you're in the top 10, or in a rivalry).

What matters to me is that I enjoy the game I'm playing, for the game, not the Achievement points. Some of the things I've heard recently, like having to loose hundereds of games for an achievement are just plain stupid (probably just the developers lack of imagination I'm sure). But still - if you cared about demonstrating your gaming skill, you would deliberately avoid such achievements. Achievement points are just a genious inclusion by Microsoft to make people buy/rent more games and boy has it worked.

The thing that has finally stopped me playing my Gamecube however, is my new HDTV. My God, how bad does it look!!! I'm now in two minds as to whether I should order a Wii, given that it is low definition.

Don't get me wrong, it is satisfying when you get the 'achievement unlocked' message. I just wouldn't buy/rent games just for achievements, or spend hours boosting just to get another 100 points or so. Enjoying well thoughtout gameplay is more enjoyable for me.

Edit: You make a good point Psycence, I bet people buy some games just for achievements and never really enjoy them though.

[Psycence]

it might be low def but how much fun does it look lol

[Waaaaaaaak]

Does look fun. The pic from my GC is SO bad though. I really don't know what to do.

[Psycence]

Just play your WII on a standard TV or get a HDtv with a very good upscaler lol which would cost a fortune

[Helacool360]

I just dont get the same enjoyment out of these games anymore. Achievements give me somthing to aim for, a target to reach. Playing the PS2 again will never be the same for me, which is a shame really.:eek:

Yea same for me, achievements have screwed up my life. ACHIEVEMENTS ARE DIGITAL CRACK!!!!!

[Wreckon Dracgon]

I agree that wasting countless hours playing something just for the achievement is pointless (but if you have the free time and if that's what you want to do, I'm happy for you). And on renting games I totally understand people who do, hell if you want to improve yours gamerscore and like achievements why should they spend $60 when they can rent it from Blockbuster for $5 and be done in a couple hours. If they purchased the game it would just be a waste of $55 because the game would just sit as they have moved onto the next achievement. I personally don't have time to rent because the late fees would pile up before I had a chance to play so I own every 360 game (hold Football Manager, Ridge Racer, and Quake). I played Amped 3 because I wanted to see how it played as a huge fan of SSX I've never played another Snowboard game so I wanted to see how it was (side note I also have SSX On Tour which I've never played) I ended up playing it and it was decent, but there is no way in hell I'd sit and play until I got the other points, which although easy to achieve aren't worth my time. Same with Tony Hawk, not worth the time. I did rent Quake and Ridge Racer, and with Quake could have easily used the cheat codes and played through to an easy 300 points but why, the damn game blows.

My point is along the lines of what Psycence said. I too have never given a futbol/soccer game a second thought but playing FIFA turned me into a fan, I would have never thought of playing this game before achievements but because of them I decided to give it a try and feel in love. I've spent hours playing the damn global challenge and will spend hours more (damn Aussie Rules) the achievements are the end game yes, but damn is it fun to play which makes it worth it all the hours.

So believe me and as my gamerscore would show unless I'm having fun with a game, when I'm done, I'm done. I'm not going to waste time on Condemned going back again for 40pts when I can start playing Burnout, GRAW, Oblivion, Hitman, Battlefield, The Outfit, Table Tennis, PDZ... damn I need more hours in the day..

As for GTA San Andreas I purchased the PS 2 version when it released, then picked up the GTA Trilogy pack for XBox when it released before the holidays and haven't played either, I have no time...damn wife and kids. Even sadder I have Resident Evil 4, for both PS 2 and Gamecube and have never played either.

[P1NSEEKER]

Please stop calling it gta 4 your making me sad (its gta san andreas gta 4 is a totally new game coming out in oct 07)

[Wreckon Dracgon]

Thank you for bringing that little mistake to my attention, I have corrected all.

And for the record when GTA 4 does release I will buy it the day it releases and play it the same day.

You know I've got to get some work done today. I've spent all damn day on these boards. I can't stop thinking about my 360. Has anyone else played with the new options "like changing the background on your blades" I have a smoking and totally inappropriate picture of the wife as mine. Brings my two passions together. I only wish you could set a different picture for each blade.

[Psycence]

Ive had a little mess around but the only thing that I was really bothered about was the download in the background feature.

However once the LIVE vision cam is out, I shall be doing a custom gamer pic.

Multi blade skinning would be cool, a few apps like windows blinds appearing on the mod scene would be fantastic

[Wolfpack]

The 360 is about the only system i play now myself but i wont get rid of any other of the systems i own. I have a nice collection of them that i can revisit at any point

[DaveWilma07]

The 360 is about the only system i play now myself but i wont get rid of any other of the systems i own. I have a nice collection of them that i can revisit at any point

true, but when's the likelehood of you revisiting them now that you have the awesome 360?

[Psycence]

true, but when's the likelehood of you revisiting them now that you have the awesome 360?

Not a great chance, unless your addicted to a particular game on an older system...i need a sequel to samba de amigo on 360!

[KilluhKam]

Interesting point. I myself traded in my ps2 but this was so i could afford to pay for my 360. As for my old xbox i only play that now to use the various emulators that run off it! I think the new live service on the 360 that makes it so life altering. Playing on my 360 whilst not connected to live just dosent feel right somehow

EDIT: 3 responses in 3 minutes!

yeah thats how i am i cant stand playing my xbox 360 and not being connected to live...before the 360 on my regular xbox i never used live except like once or twice now that i got my 360 im on live everyday as soon as i wake up i get on live and start working on achievements!! and like helacool said ACHIEVEMENTS ARE DIGITAL CRACK!! WE CANT LIVE WITHOUT THEM!! (most of us cant)

[The Perfect Gun]

I am feeling the same way. My friends were going to the club and I decided I was going to stay home and get achievements. This is my new quote...

"What has achievements done to people?"

- The Perfect Gun

[Mr Arrow]

I am feeling the same way. My friends were going to the club and I decided I was going to stay home and get achievements. This is my new quote...

"What has achievements done to people?"

- The Perfect Gun

You just nailed it. I could easily pass on outside activities just for some quality time with the 360!

I don't played my Xbox, Gamecube, SP, DS or PSP anymore, hell I don't even play with myself anymore! (no achievements for jerking off yet!!)

[The Perfect Gun]

You just nailed it. I could easily pass on outside activities just for some quality time with the 360!

I don't played my Xbox, Gamecube, SP, DS or PSP anymore, hell I don't even play with myself anymore! (no achievements for jerking off yet!!)

Yep, all is the same for me except the last one ;), I MAKE time for that, but otherwise, I'm probley on the 360 or sitting on "Your Q" from GameFly, refreshing every 3 secends to see if they have shipped my game yet.

[KilluhKam]

Yep, all is the same for me except the last one ;), I MAKE time for that, but otherwise, I'm probley on the 360 or sitting on "Your Q" from GameFly, refreshing every 3 secends to see if they have shipped my game yet.

i do the Game Q thing myself :p but at the moment i got the max games out that i can (hitman table tennis and x-men which hasnt arrived yet but should be today or tomarrow)

[DaveWilma07]

at the moment i got the max games out that i can (hitman table tennis and x-men which hasnt arrived yet but should be today or tomarrow)

Good Lord... you must have spent a fortune on games!