Am I the only one who realizes achievements are worthless?

[Fr]anc[is]

I just read the latest Experienced Points, and he puts achievements in the list of things steam gives us. Now I'm not saying anything bad about the article or Shamus, but once again I facepalmed and sighed. Who cares? They do absolutely nothing. I have never, ever, seen anyone talk down to someone about not having an achievement, and considering this is the internet, that's astounding. I just wanted to know if there was anyone out there who agrees with me.

 

[Galad]

I have never, ever, seen anyone talk down to someone about not having an achievement

The real question is, how many times have you seen people bragging about their achievements or about a particular achievement they found hard? huh huh?

 

[Last Bullet]

Are achievements worth nothing? Yeah, pretty much. But I have fun with them, they're a little mini-quest in their own right.

 

[braincore02]

Obligatory sarcastic comment: Yes, you are the only one.

Achievements are simply a ploy developed by the industry to sell more games, and quite frankly I don't give a rat's patootie about em. I think I had just as much fun playing games before they existed.

 

[Edorf]

Personally I look on achivements as something to do when you've already beaten a game... Things that you never would have done if there wasnt an achivement for it.

 

[Kukakkau]

I tend to use them as a guideline for how much I've completed a game and what there is to do in it (for example not just finishing the story only but going for all those side missions and bonuses too)

Plus it can make for some fun wagers - first to 1000 points wins the pooled money

 

[Doctor VonSexMachine]

I like them. They make me feel like I've accomplished something. Ok, not the achievements that you get for say, advancing the story plot, but things like the TF2 achievement for shotting down x number of enemies while airborne.

 

[Tharwen]

They are exactly as worthwhile as playing the game itself. Just because they aren't necessary to enjoy the game it doesn't mean the game is a more worthy pastime.

 

[TPiddy]

Are achievements worthless? Yes.... are they fun? Also yes. They're like hula hoops.

 

[Angry Caterpillar]

But without achievements, how will we grow our e-wang?!

Yes, they're useless. Yes, they can be fun. Yes, some people brag. Yes, they should be ignored.

 

[Fenolio]

Here's a thought:

The law of entropy states that everything has an end, thus rendering all human endevor pointless

But yeah, i think i remember someone saying that it "appeals to our instinct of collecting as well as the instinct to be at the top of the social ladder" (Paraphrased of course)

 

[Drakmeire]

I don't like them that much but I do smile every time I get one in game. it's like a little trophy that says "You did something cool", or in some cases "Good Job!!! you pressed start"

 

[Krion_Vark]

But we need achievements to show off the size of our internet dick!

And to compensate for what we ourselves don't actually have. Its exactly the same thing with cars. The bigger the car/score the smaller the . . .

I personally have never really TRIED to get Achievements I usually just use them to get a handle on how far along I am with the game.

 

[tzimize]

I also find it utterly ridiculous. The fact that its an added feature is not too bad and usually nothing to scoff at, but to pay extra or brag about this as an "awesome feature" is beyond stupid.

Tbh if they disappeared today I would not miss them one bit.

 

[Swarley]

anc[is]I have never, ever, seen anyone talk down to someone about not having an achievement

You've obviously never played WoW.

 

[DividedUnity]

I don't really mind. I like if they are there but if theyre not it doesnt matter.

 

[dfphetteplace]

I like the TF2 achievements, but other then that I could care less. If they did exist, I wouldn't be heart broken.

 

[conflictofinterests]

High Gamerscore : Carrot :: Low Gamerscore : Stick

 

[Good morning blues]

It's true that achievements don't have any sort of utilitarian use, but the fact that these goals are there gives players new ways to feel that sense of accomplishment that is the best part of playing games. I would absolutely agree that achievements are a benefit that Steam offers. If you don't like them, don't collect them, but it's not harming your experience, and it is improving the experience of many.