Jun 30, 2008

Gaming achievements - is there anything more pointless?

The upcoming firmware features for the PS3 are quite a welcome addition... especially the ability to actually check your mail without quitting what ever game you're playing. (a feature that has been available to PC gamers for about about the last 14 years by the way)

But the introduction of gaming trophies seems a bit laughable.
Does anyone actually care what awards some gamer unlocked for a game?
Do you endlessly scour your friends list marvelling at their gaming achievements?
Do you spend an extra 15 hours trying to complete a game you're already sick of without losing a health point, just because you're so driven to have an award?
What the hell is the point?

The term "gaming achievements" is such a delightful oxymoron too... I can think of nothing that's less of an achievement than pissing your life away in pursuit of some arbitrarily-chosen statistical gaming feat... maybe one person will see it and think "Wow, this guy is a real winner".
Not me though, I've been gaming long enough to see how pointless grinding is.
Whether it's grinding to unlock an achievement or grinding to level up in an MMORPG, if the process isn't fun, then it's not worth doing, no matter what the reward (unless we're talking cash, but let's be realistic - we aren't).

I'm sure it adds some gameplay longevity for those who enjoy the challenge, but personally I couldn't be arsed.
Much like I couldn't be arsed collecting all the flags in Assassins Creed or shooting all the pigeons in GTA4... it's such a tedious grind and unrewarding process that I don't find myself driven in the slightest to pursue these empty goals.
I didn't buy "Flag Collector's Creed" or "Pigeon Hunter 4", so why should these activities take up the lions share of my gaming time?
Could I be having more fun doing something else?
You bet your ass I could.

The upcoming trophy system.


The second part of this new PS3 2.4 firmware video. I wonder just how many companies are going to patch their existing titles to support the new trophy system? I've gotten gold for almost all of the Motor Storm tracks so it'd be nice to flaunt it! I guess we'll find out on July 2nd when the update is released!

-L1

PS3 Firmware 2.4 video demonstration


PSN boss Eric Lempel talks through how in-game XMB will work after the upcoming 2.4 Firmware update. Look like some decent improvements.
- L1

Jun 15, 2008

Metal Gear Solid 4 - c'mon postman!!

Gamespot and IGN US have given MGS4 10 out of 10 and I'm STILL waiting for the posty to deliver it! It scored a perfect 40/40 from Japanese gaming rag Weekly Famitsu too.