6 Degrees of an Achievement

[bapenguin]

Ok...this is the coolest achievment (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3152043) so far on the XBox 360. It's in the upcoming XBox Live Arcade title Small Arms. The achievement, called "Six Degress of Small Arms," will start with the four Gastronaut (studio making Small Arms) employees as the only ones with the achievement. When someone plays with the Gastronaut employees, they'll get the achievement and the achievement will be contagious, spreading to players who don't have the achievement when they play with players who do. Pretty slick.

There's a short Interview (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14239) with Don Wurster of Gastronaut Studios in our In House Section.

Awesome...very creative use of the system.

[Gideon Ransom]

Talk about motivation to both buy the game and to play the game online. Very good marketing.

[phantomhitman]

that is easily the coolest achievement to get. no pressure to get it, just hope online adn hope to play with other people.

[Knite]

Awesome! Now if only someone would do that with the ACTUAL Kevin Bacon, it would be the best achievement ever!!!

[Grimgrock]

Do you get anything for achievements (points)? I have felt no pressure at all to get any achievement points mostly because I don't get anything in return. I don't get free Xbox Live for a month if I have 1000 points (as an example). Bragging rights are useless in the real world. Why should I care about achievement points?

[Gideon Ransom]

Awesome! Now if only someone would do that with the ACTUAL Kevin Bacon, it would be the best achievement ever!!!

You should submit that as an idea for an Xbox 360 online TV ad.

[Gideon Ransom]

Why should I care about achievement points?

Why You Should Care. (http://www.evilavatar.com/index.php?page=leaderboard)

[Grimgrock]

Why You Should Care. (http://www.evilavatar.com/index.php?page=leaderboard)

Bragging rights won't get me a promotion at work or the Aston Martin Vanquish down at the car dealership. 95% of the people I know personally don't give a damn about achievement points and 95% of those people I'm willing to bet don't even know what achievement points are.

[Cubfan]

Do you get anything for achievements (points)? I have felt no pressure at all to get any achievement points mostly because I don't get anything in return. I don't get free Xbox Live for a month if I have 1000 points (as an example). Bragging rights are useless in the real world. Why should I care about achievement points?


I'm not obsessive about achievement points, I have nowhere near as many as alot of the people here. But if Im playing a game and am really enjoying it, and if I've already completed the game, if I want to extend the length of the game, then I definitely go for the achievement points. For me it's just another goal to attain, and if I'm having fun with a game going for the points is definitely worthwhile. Afterall, I complete most of the games I play, and why do I do that, bragging rights? Nope, it's because I'm having a good time.

[Food Nipple]

Achievement points are their own end, they're there for fun. I'm glad that there's no carrot and stick situaiton going on where I'm trying to get X points. I think you're really missing the point if you feel there should be some tangible real word connection to them. I think that you would have a lot more fun with the whole thing if you suspened your disbeilef just a bit and worked on the assumption that achievement points were desirable.

However, if you insist on taking a pragmatic approach to the whole situation you can always remember that the top scoring players do achieve a certain degree of notoriety. The top guys are being interviewed in magazines, and I'm sure the people they play with online notice and comment on their scores, so there may be real world benefits after all.

You could also make the argument that no part of gaming presents you with oppertunities for advancement in real life (save for the odd Advent Rising sweepstakes or something). It's a bit odd that you complain that this very specific facet of your hobby gives you nothing in return, gaming in general has this exact problem.

[NoName]

Bragging rights won't get me a promotion at work or the Aston Martin Vanquish down at the car dealership. 95% of the people I know personally don't give a damn about achievement points and 95% of those people I'm willing to bet don't even know what achievement points are.
Hehe, your user title is fairly accurate. You do seem grumpy ;). Get some coffee.

As to your question, achievement points allow you to get more out of the game. Since you get the game to have enjoyment from playing, the points give you additional goals to increase gameplay. If you don't feel like doing it, then don't. As you can see from the leader board, not everyone has the time to get tons of points. They don't get looked down on... much :D.

[Grimgrock]

You could also make the argument that no part of gaming presents you with oppertunities for advancement in real life (save for the odd Advent Rising sweepstakes or something). It's a bit odd that you complain that this very specific facet of your hobby gives you nothing in return, gaming in general has this exact problem.

This is not true. Every position at Blizzard, EA Games, etc has in their requirements for the position to passionate about games and/or playing them. That is the real world benefit. As a technical writer, I am always looking for that one position that would get me in the door. Being an avid gamer is an easy way to fullfill that requirement.

I think you are partially correct though. I should just pretend that achievement points mean something. In reality they are a way to judge performance in a game. You can't say you've finished X game if you can't back it up with the achievements to prove it. You'll have to forgive me, the first 2 posts were pre-coffee and I didn't think of it from this perspective till just now.

[Voodoo]

Bring on the World War 1 shooters & RTS games, damn yous!

GAH! I posted this in the wrong topic. Damn yous tabbed browsing!!!

[The Continental]

I'm waiting for the time to come when MS just outright sells Achievement Points on XBL. "Get Achievement X For Spending 500 Points!" or "Get Achievement Y For your 15th Market Place Transaction!"

[Limech]

I'm not that impressed with a huge gamerscore, granted it tells me that person is a real gamer.

I'm more interested on a per game basis versus my friends. That's the only bragging right I feel exists.

That said, I like achievements because they are a challenge for myself. I can set myself a goal of trying to get a particular achievement and that entices me to become better at the game in order to get it and there is satisfaction once I do get it.

It's like beating a boss at the end of a level, except that feeling gets to happen that much often with a title with achievements.

Plus, only n00bs with low gamerscore say achievements are not important. ;)

[phantomhitman]

Do you get anything for achievements (points)? I have felt no pressure at all to get any achievement points mostly because I don't get anything in return. I don't get free Xbox Live for a month if I have 1000 points (as an example). Bragging rights are useless in the real world. Why should I care about achievement points?

go drink some chocolate milk or something cranky ass, its all for fun.

[Roc Ingersol]

Bragging rights are useless in the real world.
Kinda like the Vanquish. But cheaper.

[bone_matrix]

This sounds cool, although they better play online a lot damn it. I want that achievement.

On a side note, I feel like the points help me remember and show what I've accomplished. Beating COD2 on Veteran felt a lot better after I saw I received all 1000 points, and they draw me back into games that I took a break from, but didn't get back to.

It just feels good seeing "Acheievemnet Unlocked" pop up after doing something.

[KamaItachi]

Not a fan of Achievemts in general, but this sounds like a cool thing to have. I'd probably chase this one down when the game comes out.

Consider my interest piqued and my wallet open like some metaphorical drunk girl's legs.

You've doen your job well, Gastronaut Studios.

[Kefkataran]

That is a cool fucking idea for an achievement. Very nice.

[thenefariousone]

Actually - at any big company like Blizzard, EA, there's less need to be an avid gamer to get in the door.

The bigger the company, the more need there is for more mundane jobs like writing manuals, administration work, etc...

You can get in the door that way, then work your way up. Quite a number of people in the game industry got their break that way. The guy who currently works as the Developer Communty Manager for microsoft, worked in the past for NASA, and as a spy...doing admin work.


This is not true. Every position at Blizzard, EA Games, etc has in their requirements for the position to passionate about games and/or playing them. That is the real world benefit. As a technical writer, I am always looking for that one position that would get me in the door. Being an avid gamer is an easy way to fullfill that requirement.

I think you are partially correct though. I should just pretend that achievement points mean something. In reality they are a way to judge performance in a game. You can't say you've finished X game if you can't back it up with the achievements to prove it. You'll have to forgive me, the first 2 posts were pre-coffee and I didn't think of it from this perspective till just now.

[Eggplant!]

This would be better if there were only four to go around.

[fitbabits]

Awesome! Now if only someone would do that with the ACTUAL Kevin Bacon, it would be the best achievement ever!!!
I played with Kevin Bacon once, but the less said about that the better.

[PIPBoy3000]

I used to call myself a "hardcore" gamer, where I'd play an entire day non-stop. These days I've settled down to playing the AAA titles and working on my own games (Neverwinter Nights). Actually making games got me a lot of attention (several job offers including one from Bioware), far more than playing them. As I've gotten older, I've focused far more on real-life achievements (job promotion, happy and healthy kids, nice home, regular exercise, etc.), which tend be longer lasting and more satisfying.

Still, I certainly understand the point of enjoying games, and don't begruge anyone from taking pride in their hobby. That's why we're all at Evil Avatar, after all.

[Knite]

I played with Kevin Bacon once, but the less said about that the better.

So does that mean.... if I play with you.... I'm in essence playing with Kevin Bacon?
*squeek* :o

[Rifter]

Ok...this is the coolest achievment (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3152043) so far on the XBox 360. It's in the upcoming XBox Live Arcade title Small Arms.

...

Awesome...very creative use of the system.

Watch them never log on, and play from their "game" accounts. :-)

[Wyrm]

I just got my 360 yesterday and this is freaking sweet. I personally love the achievement thing. I dont care to brag, but I like to collect things, so it makes me obsessive. I'll have to rent most of the games that are out just to get all of them... I'm going to be bap's apprentice in achievement whoring.

[RestlessAvenger]

I just got my 360 yesterday and this is freaking sweet. I personally love the achievement thing. I dont care to brag, but I like to collect things, so it makes me obsessive. I'll have to rent most of the games that are out just to get all of them... I'm going to be bap's apprentice in achievement whoring.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of 360. Feel free to send me a friend request if you need any assistance with achievements and such. I'm always down to help( especially if it helps me get back in front of bap).

[fitbabits]

I just got my 360 yesterday and this is freaking sweet. I personally love the achievement thing. I dont care to brag, but I like to collect things, so it makes me obsessive. I'll have to rent most of the games that are out just to get all of them... I'm going to be bap's apprentice in achievement whoring.
Welcome to 360! If you're on live, feel free to shoot me a friend request or invite.

[TheKeck]

This would be better if there were only four to go around.
I'm not sure if four would be enough to make this interesting, but something along those lines would be cool, I think. This probably will be fun for people for a few days, or maybe weeks, but since the achievement will grow exponentially, it won't be long at all before everyone has it. Neat idea, though.

[Eggplant!]

I'm not sure if four would be enough to make this interesting, but something along those lines would be cool, I think. This probably will be fun for people for a few days, or maybe weeks, but since the achievement will grow exponentially, it won't be long at all before everyone has it. Neat idea, though.


Yeah, a few more might be better. I would be neat if you had to best someone in order to take the title and defend it. As it is, after a few weeks everyone will have this and you'll automatically get it by just logging into just about any multiplayer game. Since it's bascially a contagious thing, it will spread way too fast to be interesting.

[SaintArnold]

Anybody who understands exponentials would realize it will take very little time before everybody who plays this game on Live will have this achievement. The idea is sort of cool, but in practice I suspect that most people will end up getting this achievement the first time they play on Live, or very soon thereafter.

Edit: Beaten to the punch by the Keck.

[markster3000]

The Keck and SaintArnold have it dead on.

What I say this achievement needs is a TTL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_to_live).
For instance, set the TTL on this achievement to 6.
Whenever you play with someone who has this achievement, you get the achievement too, but your TTL is less by 1.

So anyone who plays with the devs themselves gets a TTL of 5. Anyone who plays with these people gets a TTL of 4, and so on.

So once you get the achievement, you know that you're only 6 matches removed from the dev.

That means a whole lot more than the exponential growth curve.

Or, more interestingly, they could then have a raft of these acheivements,
i.e. you get one for TTL of infinity (what they already plan), and another for TTL of 10, and others for 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

[Kefkataran]

Anybody who understands exponentials would realize it will take very little time before everybody who plays this game on Live will have this achievement. The idea is sort of cool, but in practice I suspect that most people will end up getting this achievement the first time they play on Live, or very soon thereafter.

I still don't think that lessens the coolness of the idea. It's just an interesting and original concept for an achievement.

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

I want to know what the hell this achievement (http://www.achieve360points.com/game/bulletwitch/) is. The one down the bottom, worth only 1 point. If it's possible, I'm going to make a new profile and get just that one achievement and then never play any other games on that profile again.

...I don't know why I think that's a cool idea...

[Kefkataran]

That's a damn good idea, Lonely. Although it's probably for game progress that will force other achievements on you. :(