"Bragging rights"

[Flishiz]

Why does it seem like there is no better a reward for a challenge in the game what, often a developer, calls "bragging rights?" Does anyone here seriously stare people down after saying that they are a rank 50 in Halo?

Same with COD. Yeah, prestige mode gives you an icon that could have been made in MS Paint in about 5 minutes, that you spend hours getting, and for what? Ok, so they gave you loadout slots in COD5, but after a while, it seemed like a pointless trek just for something next to your name.

Why can't we be rewarded with something more substantial, instead of a "right" to brag, which will probably get you ostracized rather than admired.

 

[Neonbob]

What could they really give you that would be "substantial" and not game-breaking or actually feasible?

New guns? That's something of a dick move.
Something physical? Out of the question, obviously.
What did you have in mind?

 

[T-Bone24]

I don't think they literally mean for you to go up to someone and shout "YEAH *****, HOW YOU LIKE THAT PRESTIGE!? I'M BETTER THAN YOU!". When I do something challenging in a game, I do it to see if I can, and I feel proud of myself if I accomplish it. I don't lord it over people.

 

[Curtmiester]

People who use bragging rights are idiots. Developers want those idiots to buy their game. The reason developers don't give you something more like a weapon is because they don't want to make they game unbalanced for players who don't have the time to get to Master Elite Rank General 50.

 

[IrrelevantTangent]

They should just give people more perks (the Fallout 3 version of feats) when they reach the higher levels as opposed to worthless prizes like 'Prestige Mode.'

Stupid worthless Prestige Mode. IT DOESN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING WORTH GIVING UP YOUR PROGRESS FOR! *passes out, frothing at the mouth*

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

That's a bit materialistic isn't it?
Too good for bragging rights are you?

Bragging Rights don't extend to certain game modes, y'know. You can still show off about say, never getting hit in easy mode.

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

-snip-
Stupid worthless Prestige Mode. IT DOESN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING WORTH GIVING UP YOUR PROGRESS FOR! *passes out, frothing at the mouth*

exactly. I'm not going prestige for some stupid looking icon next to my name. I'm happy with where I am.
And who would brag about going prestige? (My friend got annoyed when his brother prestiged his account without asking. lost all his weapons, etc.)

 

[GodsOneMistake]

I'm just fine with bragging rights, can't show actual items off as easily...

They should just give people more perks (the Fallout 3 version of feats) when they reach the higher levels as opposed to worthless prizes like 'Prestige Mode.'

Stupid worthless Prestige Mode. IT DOESN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING WORTH GIVING UP YOUR PROGRESS FOR! *passes out, frothing at the mouth*

resuscitates The_Oracle...... That'll be 50 bucks

 

[Merteg]

I love bragging rights!

Bragging rights are one of my favorite motives. That and hearing children cry after I beat them by over 50 kills.

 

[Monocle Man]

What could they really give you that would be "substantial" and not game-breaking or actually feasible?

New guns? That's something of a dick move.
Something physical? Out of the question, obviously.
What did you have in mind?

A silly hat for your character to wear.
Instead of seeing that yellow flash when you shoot, you see a bunch of flowers and fairies coming out of your gun.
Your character's standard face will be replaced with a very smug-looking face.

How couldn't they reward you?

 

[Shepard's Shadow]

Its more about skill level. It's not like you entered a tournament and won first prize.

 

[I Stomp on Kittens]

I thought you prestige so you can gain levels and enjoy the experience. Hmmm I never knew I do it for bragging rights

 

[DazZ.]

Exactly.
Its more about skill level. It's not like you entered a tournament and won first prize.

If the "bragging rights" took you skill to get, then fair enough, brag away!

If your bragging because you grinded all your prestige then I shall laugh at you, you inferior tart.
/pompous

 

[Shepard's Shadow]

Its more about skill level. It's not like you entered a tournament and won first prize.

If the "bragging rights" took you skill to get, then fair enough, brag away!

How else would you get bragging rights? Button mashing?

 

[DazZ.]

Its more about skill level. It's not like you entered a tournament and won first prize.

If the "bragging rights" took you skill to get, then fair enough, brag away!

How else would you get bragging rights? Button mashing?

well if you quoted the rest of my post...

If your bragging because you grinded all your prestige then I shall laugh at you, you inferior tart.
/pompous

So if you grinded to level 80 in WoW, or you're bragging because your level is 55 in CoD4 etc, things that don't take skill...

 

[grimsprice]

I love bragging rights!

Bragging rights are one of my favorite motives. That and hearing children cry after I beat them by over 50 kills.

or having people quit after you killed them a dozen times without dying.

 

[Shepard's Shadow]

Its more about skill level. It's not like you entered a tournament and won first prize.

If the "bragging rights" took you skill to get, then fair enough, brag away!

How else would you get bragging rights? Button mashing?

well if you quoted the rest of my post...

If your bragging because you grinded all your prestige then I shall laugh at you, you inferior tart.
/pompous

So if you grinded to level 80 in WoW, or you're bragging because your level is 55 in CoD4 etc, things that don't take skill...

I see; that does make sense. When I said button mashing, I was referring more to a fighting game. But I see your point, w/ the type of games you are referring to.

 

[D_987]

Isn't that what achievements and trophies are there for?

 

[crooked_ferret]

Well personally my experience with this problem is limited to pc games so may be a bit different from some of you. For Mirror's Edge the actual high point of that game was trying to get the absolute fastest time possible on the time trials for me. So I guess I just enjoyed the added challenge presented by that.


Assassin's creed however, gave you some very long winded ones, with that "additional content" memory lingering I figured there would actually be something there, but it was nothing.


Unlocking additional single player content and/or weapons seems perfectly reasonable though. This gives you something new and additional while not interfering with balance of online game play. Which is a real problem in many games as it is.

I played counter strike myself for a very long time simply because I liked the fact that everyone started each map on equal ground.
Awarding better gear and items that change the online game dynamic is not a solution to this problem. At the same time though I agree that there should be something a little more tangible for the player that unlocks the more difficult achievements / trophies.
For fear of coming across as some idiot middle of the road guy in this argument I think I'll stop there..