Live for PC Achievements Begin: Halo 2

[stoney01]

Achieve360Points.com (http://www.achieve360points.com/game/halo2/) revealed the PC achievements for Halo 2 today. Some of the highlights:

25. Rainman
Play every available game variant, with at least 3 other players, to the end of each game.

28. Killtacular
Kill 4 opponents within 4 seconds.

39. Ninja
In a non-team game, kill 5 people by melee, from behind.
Microsoft's own title on this one, but just how far will the *** machine be able to take PC achievements???

[fitbabits]

I was going to edit the "***" part of the comment, but decided to leave it for posterity.

[Sandman]

Don't you hate it when people use ***? I'm surprised no one uses $ony.

[fitbabits]

Don't you hate it when people use ***? I'm surprised no one uses $ony.
I fucking detest it, actually!

Edit - Check your PM! (What the fuck have I done?)

[Buster Brownstar]

Hopefully people won't be getting achievement points to flashbang their teammates in Counter-Strike: Source... Not that CS:S would fall under the Games for Windows banner and have achievements like this, but there are lots of goofy achievements in 360 games and I don't want to see my PC multiplayer games tarnished by all the other players doing dumb things.

It's bad enough in a CS game, where you get one guy who will only try to kill people using knives. Sometimes he succeeds, but when he fails, it's at the cost of the team. The games are a lot less fun when more than half the people are trying to knife just to get achievements. Gears of War was like this with people trying to strap nades on each other and whatnot. I didn't care much then, maybe because I'm not very good at console shooters and the most reliable way I could kill anyone was with the chainsaw. But I take my PC multiplayer a little more seriously...

[sprankton]

ok i thought I was the only one who thought the $ went out about 7 years ago and hate it.

Also, these achievements are kind of funny. They are suppose to be wacky and crazy, so good for them.

[Heretic Machine]

Don't you hate it when people use ***? I'm surprised no one uses $ony.

They more than deserve it. As far as this goes, I can't imagine being stupid enough to pay for peer-to-peer gameplay on the PC. Especially in an FPS. Hell, I don't play FPS games on the PC over the internet unless it is on a dedicated server, and that shit is free. Yet Microsoft thinks that people are going to pay for substandard online play?

Ya, I don't see Live on the PC taking off. Welcome to Microsoft Game Zone 2.0

[fitbabits]

They more than deserve it.
As do:

Sony ($ony),
Electronic Arts (£l£ctronic Art$),
EA Sports (£A $port$),
Wal-Mart Stores (Wal-Mart $tor£$),

et-cetera...

[MasterEvilAce]

PC Achievements will be EZ $$ with aimbots

[Klade]

I think Penny Arcade commented a while ago that Live for Windows is not for people who don't already have a Live account, because as was said here... theres no point to it. But if you already own a Live account it makes sense.

Of course then you have the silly issue of why would you buy the game for the PC when you already own it for the Xbox?

At any rate what I really don't understand is what are achievements for exactly? I understand they accumulate when you do things in a game and get attached to your handle, but what do you do with them? Do you turn them in for things?

[mkelehan]

I'm working on a $1 PC game called "Push a Button To Get 1000 Points Instantly." If people like it, I'll be making many sequels.

[agentgray]

I think Penny Arcade commented a while ago that Live for Windows is not for people who don't already have a Live account, because as was said here... theres no point to it. But if you already own a Live account it makes sense.

Of course then you have the silly issue of why would you buy the game for the PC when you already own it for the Xbox?

At any rate what I really don't understand is what are achievements for exactly? I understand they accumulate when you do things in a game and get attached to your handle, but what do you do with them? Do you turn them in for things?
Bragging rights?

[hund_]

As do:

Sony ($ony),
Electronic Arts (£l£ctronic Art$),
EA Sports (£A $port$),
Wal-Mart Stores (Wal-Mart $tor£$),

et-cetera...
and unless your a student than you too fitbabit$ ;)

[Klade]

Bragging rights?

Bragging to who? If thats all they are good for then.. well gee I don't know why anyone would bother with them.

[Heretic Machine]

Bragging to who? If thats all they are good for then.. well gee I don't know why anyone would bother with them.

That is all they are good for.

[ldi222]

Well, I am going to buy HALO2 for PC and Ive been playing it since launch on Xbox and continue to. There are numerous reasons why in no particular order:

* Yes, I want the achievements, Ive been playing HALO2 long enough and my gamercard sucks because its still by far the most game played on my 360.

* I want to test mouse / keyboard vs gamepad on this one although my hypothesis is that it was built on the PC to equalize the two control schemes as well although it could be a sinister way for MS to push their gamepads on PC and the nod will go to gamepad. For me it will Im almost positive because Ive been playing the game on a gamepad for years right? Knowing the maps, strats and having skills, Ill own PC noobs with m/k for kicks.

* The mod community. I came across the HALO files site the other day (linked from here thanks) and it was an interesting glimpse into the PC mod community. Despite the freshness of the new maps for Xbox coming soon, it will be interesting to explore the vast world these legitimate mods will become.

* My 360 peeps will be able to see and communicate with me while Im on my PC. While I may end up making myself invisible so I dont get bugged while Im on my PC island it will be fun to have the option and the unintended consequences of the official launch of Windows Live!

* The PC Community may be more mature and less exploited (although the possibility for exploits on PC could be huge). One can hope anyway.

I found the remarks about the achievements effecting gameplay interesting. I hadnt thought about that as much as was explained in the CS example and after some consideration, my clan would prob just create a custom and get them out of the way along with MM vs others. Regardless I doubt it will be much of an impact past the near short term of launch because people will log enough hours to get them naturally and it would be less work that way. Im sure there will be stat whores like in any game but those guys generally end up having a weakness for trying and Ill take advantage of it.

Finally, Most of The Halo Council resides on Xbox so it will be fun to watch Windows Live! evolve and see crossover back to my old home.

[Royal Fool]

At any rate what I really don't understand is what are achievements for exactly? I understand they accumulate when you do things in a game and get attached to your handle, but what do you do with them? Do you turn them in for things?
No, they're like trophies of sorts. Many games do it right and award them for going out of your way to do some clever or hidden stuff, but others just go the lazy route and practically give them all away for simply playing the game through.

Ridge Racer 6, Dead or Alive Xtreme Volleyball 2 and Project Gotham Racing 3 are regarded as some of the most difficult games ever to squeeze achievements out of.

[Adam Blue]

At any rate what I really don't understand is what are achievements for exactly? I understand they accumulate when you do things in a game and get attached to your handle, but what do you do with them? Do you turn them in for things?

Like mentioned every time someone asks this question in every thread about achievement points, there are ongoing contests. You get games, MS Points, and leveled up for the next contest.

Besides that explanation you could almost say it's the same thing as buying a specific car for something other than driving.

[PXG 360]

Man, those look REALLY easy. None of them are challenging at all.

[Disgustipated]

It'd be AWESOME if they added these achievements into the Xbox version as well. ;)

[fitbabits]

and unless your a student than you too fitbabit$ ;)
Yeah, which further proves my point - it's a silly and pointless fad.

[Johan]

I've already earned the greatest achievement for Halo 2 on the PC...not buying it.

I'm working on a $1 PC game called "Push a Button To Get 1000 Points Instantly." If people like it, I'll be making many sequels.

That is absolutely hilarious and ingenious. I don't see why someone doesn't do just that. It would make money, given the total absence of monetary investment needed to get it done! :)

[6vx]

Man, those look REALLY easy. None of them are challenging at all.


Legendary is not easy.

[Jack B]

They more than deserve it. As far as this goes, I can't imagine being stupid enough to pay for peer-to-peer gameplay on the PC. Especially in an FPS. Hell, I don't play FPS games on the PC over the internet unless it is on a dedicated server, and that shit is free. Yet Microsoft thinks that people are going to pay for substandard online play?

Ya, I don't see Live on the PC taking off. Welcome to Microsoft Game Zone 2.0

I'd agree the odds on a ton of PC gamers paying for the $50 Live Gold is slim, it may grow. They've allowed Silver to use multiplayer, just not cross platform. There are no alternative options for cross platform anyway, so Microsoft is matching other no charge options for PC to PC multiplayer.

What they are doing is giving the 360 Live users "free" Gold on the PC. Being a Gold Subscriber on the 360, I just got something for free, so it sounds pretty good to me.

If you were a PC user planning on getting a 360 anyway, it's possibly a bonus for you as well (assuming you were going to purchase Gold).

As for what the PC community gets with Live Silver for free it's not bad and it is free. Not sure, as I'd have to look it up, but does Silver on the PC get you integrated Games for Windows voice chat? I do believe Silver gives you non mulitplayer achievements. I like achievements, but it's a small joy. For many they love achievements, so free silver achievements is also a bonus.

To sum it up. I don't think Microsoft expects a ton of money from PC Gold, but they needed a way to protect the revenue stream for the 360 Gold and still give the PC users a competitive "free" multiplayer system. From what I can tell, they did that. The fact, that cross platform multiplayer costs money, shouldn't be a big deal. Most won't care about playing cross platform, so in that scenario it may intice PC users, who were on the fence about what console to purchase to go ahead with the 360, so they can use Gold on both platforms.

I think they did a decent job with the pricing and features of Live on PC's. The big question to me is how long they can keep charging for Live Gold. Sony is patching their online service quite often. It's still not up to Live standards, but Microsoft should be starting to feel the heat. They either need to add new functionality to Gold or hope Sony doesn't catch up any time soon.

[Jack B]

That is all they are good for.

Perigon, you've been on EvAv long enough to know the arguments for and against achievements. Shame on you. You know there are a lot of reasons why acheivements are popular and most have nothing to do with bragging rights.

[Jack B]

At any rate what I really don't understand is what are achievements for exactly? I understand they accumulate when you do things in a game and get attached to your handle, but what do you do with them? Do you turn them in for things?

They aren't redeemable for money, prizes or games.

Many EvAv users have their gamertags listed, so you can click on them to see what games they play and/or how far they've gotten in a game by looking at their in game achievements.

In over one year on 360 Live with over 100 friends, no one has ever "bragged" about their score to me. Here are the real uses of achievments.

1. Go to the EvAv leaderboards and check for games most recently played. Find people playing the game you are interested in. Send them a friends invite, message or PM to play online.

2. Do the same and see if someone has gotten past a point you are struggling with.

3. Read the achievments for the game you are playing. Often they will point you in the direction of trying something interesting. It will often help you uncover Easter Eggs or discover parts of the game you hadn't realized could be fun.

4. Use them as a challenge to yourself (not necessarily others) to achieve a certain objective in a game. Many of us love challenges in a game, not to show others, but to challenge ourselves. We did it long before there were achievements. Leveling up, beating bosses etc, are challenges people like to complete. It's a compulsion found in many gamers.

5. Use them to go back and see where I left off on different games without booting them up and/or to get new inspiration as to what I haven't tried or completed yet.

Anyway, I know a lot of non 360 owners are confused as to how or why achievements are so popular. These are some of the reasons. I've never ever bragged about my score and with 100 friends I have not yet ever and I mean EVER had a single friend brag about their Achievement score in over 1 year with 360 achievements. I have however, seen people post about e-Penis bragging weekly on EvAv. 99% of those posts are by non 360 owners hating on the 360.

[51|RandoM]

Bragging rights?

You try to brag about PC achievements and people are going to laugh in your face---just like they do for 360 achievements, but even worse.

[Katslover]

So tell me, who here has Vista AND the specs to run Halo 2, anyway? I don't think Microsoft realizes that they are trying to tempt gamers into "upgrading" their gaming PCs into a Vista machine to play an old Xbox game. Would anyone who is looking at this thread give up playing your old favorites like Deus Ex and Undying and what not just to play Halo 2? If I'm wrong, sue me, but I just think people are smarter than this.

[UnderHero5]

So tell me, who here has Vista AND the specs to run Halo 2, anyway? I don't think Microsoft realizes that they are trying to tempt gamers into "upgrading" their gaming PCs into a Vista machine to play an old Xbox game. Would anyone who is looking at this thread give up playing your old favorites like Deus Ex and Undying and what not just to play Halo 2? If I'm wrong, sue me, but I just think people are smarter than this.
I know that I have no plans to upgrade to play Halo 2.
I was a die hard Halo 1 fan, bought Halo 2 when it came out, played for a couple hours and never touched it again. I thought it kind of sucked compared to the first, so I am in no hurry to play the PC version, especially since it's Vista only. My PC would run it fine, however.

[Vandenh]

Front page news where comments use $ should be deleted. This is not a teen emo site.

[Wolvie]

It'd be AWESOME if they added these achievements into the Xbox version as well. ;)

Actually, the Xbox 360 version would be easier I bet. I hope MS finds a way to do it.. But I doubt it since Halo 3 is about 7 and 1/2 months away.

[mikeohara]

I'll give H2 a try on Vista :)

[MacD]

Lessee...pc gamers have Crysis, UT3, QW:ET, even Huxley on the horizon, and we're expected to go upgrade our pc's with dx10 cards and buy vista to play ... Halo2?

Hehe :)

[Ph00p]

The more achievement points you have the longer,harder and most importantly juicer your penis is.

[KNOTE]

Typing *** is very original and awesome.