Widescreen Gaming Forum

Eh, I'm just doing it to get 100%. I eventually do it with every GTA i play. But I think IV will be the easiest. Getting a Gold in all the driving tests in San Andreas is a real bitch. The ambulance missions completion is hard, too.

But in the next couple weeks, I'll be mostly done with IV and starting pining for GTA V. :(

To me, achievements are just yet another annoying reminder that GfW titles cater primarily to console players. I feel it's an insult to the PC players that are supposedly served by the GfW mission statement when all they get out of 100% completion is 100% completion. What's wrong with some decent unlocks that are actually useful like games used to have? This achievement gimmick is a big part of what's ruined modern PC games IMO.

That being said, I feel even console players are lead down the BS path when you consider the achievement points they get toward purchasing future titles serves the publishers and developers far more than the players. Truth is you can get much better deals on game prices just surfing the net and/or waiting until prices drop, which is often about the time the games have the patch support they need if they're patched at all.

They clearly came up with this achievement idea just to keep console players pre-ordering their games at full price.

To me, achievements are just yet another annoying reminder that GfW titles cater primarily to console players. I feel it's an insult to the PC players that are supposedly served by the GfW mission statement when all they get out of 100% completion is 100% completion. What's wrong with some decent unlocks that are actually useful likes games used to have? This achievement gimmick is a big part of what's ruined modern PC games IMO.

That being said, I feel even console players are lead down the BS path when you consider the achievement points they get toward purchasing future titles serves the publishers and developers far more than the players. Truth is you can get much better deals on game prices just surfing the net and/or waiting until prices drop, which is often about the time the games have the patch support they need if they're patched at all.

They clearly came up with this achievement idea just to keep console players pre-ordering their games at full price.

Wait... What? You can buy stuff with your gamerscore points?!?!?!

Wait... What? You can buy stuff with your gamerscore points?!?!?!

...no, you can't.

I really don't see what you're talking about Frag Maniac...

Achievements and Gamerscore are not used to purchase anything. They are for your own enjoyment and bragging if you feel you want to go about it; if you don't like it, you can choose to just play it normally like any other console or PC game back in the day. I've taken a liking to it, since it's like an extra set of goals for the game.

I've taken a liking to it, since it's like an extra set of goals for the game.

^This.

tbh , i wouldnt even consider doing most of the extra stuff in a game otherwise. Additional goals and a little incentive pays off in the long run as it ends up giving the game extra replayability.
Until you get max points that is (1k/1k) , then you feel like the game has nothing else to offer

OK, I think I've got the correct info now, and yes, I did not state it accurately, however not entirely wrong. I was confusing the Achievement Points with Microsoft Points, which can be used to buy games. However, the Achievement Points can win you prizes if you find a contest that honors them to do so, the better ones being games if I'm not mistaken. Just one look at the types of staples like T-Shirts they use for prizes shows it's something more of a self serving advertising hook than something of substance for the player.

I stand by what I said as far as the intention of commenting on this. The Achievement Point system is clearly a marketing gimmick, nothing more, nothing less. I have read they do not have these contests as much as they used to. Well, IMO that says they are even more greedy about it now than they were when first implementing it. I'm sure they knew all along that once they got console players bragging about Achievment Points on their Blogesque Gamercard they wouldn't have to feed the frenzy with contests anymore.

I maintain, if they wanted to make it a better experience for players vs themselves, they would make the points count toward unlockables IN the game, not some kind of half ass raffle that only serves a small percentage of console players lucky enough to win something. My point was not just the greed of getting orders via gimmicks though. This is something that serves primarily the console crowd and is a slap in the face to the PC community that is more insulted than rewarded by these crappy GfW ports.

Games for Windows and MS' mission statement are about as phony as the PC Gamers Alliance. MS aren't quite as backstabbing toward PC gamers as Epic Games, another main member of the so called PC Gamers Alliance, but they are not far off.

OK, I think I've got the correct info now, and yes, I did not state it accurately, however not entirely wrong. I was confusing the Achievement Points with Microsoft Points, which can be used to buy games. However, the Achievement Points can win you prizes if you find a contest that honors them to do so, the better ones being games if I'm not mistaken. Just one look at the types of staples like T-Shirts they use for prizes shows it's something more of a self serving advertising hook than something of substance for the player.

I stand by what I said as far as the intention of commenting on this. The Achievement Point system is clearly a marketing gimmick, nothing more, nothing less. I have read they do not have these contests as much as they used to. Well, IMO that says they are even more greedy about it now than they were when first implementing it. I'm sure they knew all along that once they got console players bragging about Achievment Points on their Blogesque Gamercard they wouldn't have to feed the frenzy with contests anymore.

I maintain, if they wanted to make it a better experience for players vs themselves, they would make the points count toward unlockables IN the game, not some kind of half ass raffle that only serves a small percentage of console players lucky enough to win something. My point was not just the greed of getting orders via gimmicks though. This is something that serves primarily the console crowd and is a slap in the face to the PC community that is more insulted than rewarded by these crappy GfW ports.

Games for Windows and MS' mission statement are about as phony as the PC Gamers Alliance. MS aren't quite as backstabbing toward PC gamers as Epic Games, another main member of the so called PC Gamers Alliance, but they are not far off.

Ironically enough, the marketing gimmick of Achievement points is actually something the user base is look for now, for both bragging rights and a definitive "I beat it" signal from their games.

If you want more proof look at the PS3 fanbase calling for trophies.

Are you sure about the achievement point raffle? I've heard of contests (set up by players, no less) for who can get a certain number of achievement points in a set time period, but never any sort of "raffle" (by Microsoft or otherwise).

Ironically enough, the marketing gimmick of Achievement points is actually something the user base is look for now, for both bragging rights and a definitive "I beat it" signal from their games.

If you want more proof look at the PS3 fanbase calling for trophies.

Are you sure about the achievement point raffle? I've heard of contests (set up by players, no less) for who can get a certain number of achievement points in a set time period, but never any sort of "raffle" (by Microsoft or otherwise).

Proof? Did I not say that this is probably what they had planned all along, players becoming used to this gimmick and in fact addicted to it?

"I'm sure they knew all along that once they got console players bragging about Achievment Points on their Blogesque Gamercard they wouldn't have to feed the frenzy with contests anymore."

I don't know exactly how the contests are/were conducted, and I don't really care. I used the word raffle as a guess. The point is, this is more of a profit making gimmick than achievement thing. I could show you links of people discussing such contests if you wish, but you could easily find them yourself with a bit of Googling.

Proof? Did I not say that this is probably what they had planned all along, players becoming used to this gimmick and in fact addicted to it?

"I'm sure they knew all along that once they got console players bragging about Achievment Points on their Blogesque Gamercard they wouldn't have to feed the frenzy with contests anymore."

I don't know exactly how the contests are/were conducted, and I don't really care. I used the word raffle as a guess. The point is, this is more of a profit making gimmick than achievement thing. I could show you links of people discussing such contests if you wish, but you could easily find them yourself with a bit of Googling.

...I'll take your word for it.

Although one could argue that absolutely everything is done for profiteering, and honestly your opinion comes off as a bit alarmist...