The amount of trophies for a game and their associated value (Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze) is one part developer and one part Sony.
Games like Taco Master get a Platinum, but MGS: Ground Zeroes isn't allowed to have one even though Kojima wanted it (http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/17/why-metal-gear-solid-5-ground-zeroes-has-no-platinum-trophy). Other games like Outlast don't qualify for a Platinum due to the (mostly) linear experience and smaller scope of the game (http://gearnuke.com/former-sony-dev-comments-outlasts-missing-platinum-trophy-explains-trophy-allocation-works/#).That being said, they've loosened the "Platinum" rule through the years because it's been statistically proven that games with trophies/achievements sell more (http://www.gamespot.com/articles/study-achievement-rich-games-sell-better/1100-6198361/).
However, it's worth noting that many developers like Campo Santo (Firewatch), Fullbright (Gone Home), and Frictional Games (SOMA) care more about the overall story. To them, trophies are an arbitrary system that detract from the experience. The second that trophy "pops" (with the associated sound), you're pulled "Out of the moment" and are reminded that you're playing game. Developers like Quantic Dream avoided this by having delayed trophy pops--but that's not an option that every game is allowed to have. So, in order to get a Playstation release, developers still have to add 'em in there.
As much fun as they are, Trophies/Achievements forever broke gaming. While, yes, they do add replay value for the OCD-gamer (like myself--I have 68 Platinums!), people end up spending hours upon hours playing games they'd normally return. People judge a game--and decide whether they'll play it or not, it's overall value, etc.--purely based off it's trophy set! It's disappointing.
However, with this article, it's just a gamer blaming Sony for Firewatch's trophies. He doesn't take into account that this is what the developer actually wanted. While I fully realize that this is supposed to be an "opinion" piece, it's really just a unwarranted rant.
Comments 1
Re: Opinion: Firewatch's Paltry Five Trophies Prove That the System Needs Fixing
I agree, but disagree.
The amount of trophies for a game and their associated value (Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze) is one part developer and one part Sony.
Games like Taco Master get a Platinum, but MGS: Ground Zeroes isn't allowed to have one even though Kojima wanted it (http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/17/why-metal-gear-solid-5-ground-zeroes-has-no-platinum-trophy). Other games like Outlast don't qualify for a Platinum due to the (mostly) linear experience and smaller scope of the game (http://gearnuke.com/former-sony-dev-comments-outlasts-missing-platinum-trophy-explains-trophy-allocation-works/#).That being said, they've loosened the "Platinum" rule through the years because it's been statistically proven that games with trophies/achievements sell more (http://www.gamespot.com/articles/study-achievement-rich-games-sell-better/1100-6198361/).
However, it's worth noting that many developers like Campo Santo (Firewatch), Fullbright (Gone Home), and Frictional Games (SOMA) care more about the overall story. To them, trophies are an arbitrary system that detract from the experience. The second that trophy "pops" (with the associated sound), you're pulled "Out of the moment" and are reminded that you're playing game. Developers like Quantic Dream avoided this by having delayed trophy pops--but that's not an option that every game is allowed to have. So, in order to get a Playstation release, developers still have to add 'em in there.
As much fun as they are, Trophies/Achievements forever broke gaming. While, yes, they do add replay value for the OCD-gamer (like myself--I have 68 Platinums!), people end up spending hours upon hours playing games they'd normally return. People judge a game--and decide whether they'll play it or not, it's overall value, etc.--purely based off it's trophy set! It's disappointing.
However, with this article, it's just a gamer blaming Sony for Firewatch's trophies. He doesn't take into account that this is what the developer actually wanted. While I fully realize that this is supposed to be an "opinion" piece, it's really just a unwarranted rant.