Comments on: The Neverending MMO Achievement Challenge

By: Slurms

Slurms — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:47:56 +0000

I'd argue (since we're doing so much of that in this thread) that it's due to a different type of mentality of player. The people who play CoH, LotRO, etc were in it for the experience of the game and it's social aspects. A vast majority of WoW players are after the carrot, straight up.

kids these days….I tell ya

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:38:07 +0000

That's an interesting question, Ayane. I think that the idea of achievement is something that's been around since MMOs were out, just as a general concept. I just don't think there's been -tracking- for it til the games that people have mentioned in this thread of discussion. Arguably you could call most anything you could do in an MMO an achievement of sorts. It just hasn't been popularized or highlighted til recently.

By: Ayane

Ayane — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:28:40 +0000

Was about to mention the badges in City of Heroes as well. It's the first MMO that I'm aware of that had something like that and it was far from forgettable. "Badge hunting" became a popular sport and I recall certain badges even giving some bonuses to your character.

Though I do recall Star Wars Galaxies also having some kind of achievement system (where it was pretty forgettable, at least when I played) as it kept track of certain special missions you did.

It's always tricky to call something "first" in these things as often it's the result of an evolutionary process. At what point do you call an achievement an "achievement"?

By: Slurms

Slurms — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:40:12 +0000

I'd say LotRO's deeds were only forgettable (as were WAR's tome unlocks) because they were built in. WoW's were made to be a grand deal because (a) they got press coverage for being added, and (b) because the game is FUCKING HUGE.

I've seen each implementation, and I'd have to say LotRO's is the most meaningful. You actually have a reason to get the achievements.

By: Rik

Rik — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:36:52 +0000

The badges in City Of Heroes have the same function as achievement unlocks. Stillndouvt that was the first though.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:36:40 +0000

Damn you people and your fact-checking! Haha!

LoTRO did have them first technically, though they seemed so forgettable so as not to be thought of as a feature, per se.

By: River

River — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:52:09 +0000

Actually I heard another MMO had Achievements before WAR, forgot which one though. I was never a big Achievement guy. I think the only one I ever want to get was the Brews End title…The Drunkard. I still love that title, best one in any MMO…period

By: Slurms

Slurms — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:31:42 +0000

"which were arguably started by WAR"

Arguable indeed. LotRO had them a over a year prior to WAR and I'm not even sure that it was truly the first.