According to a recent report from Xbox360Achievements, based on details from a "prophetic" source, Microsoft is upping the gamerscore totals for downloadable titles, including DLC. The source states the policy change will allow 800 gamerscore and 62 achievements, up from 350 gamerscore and 35 achievements.If the claim is correct, this is awesome news for all sides. The change makes downloadable titles more attractive, gives developers more room to reward certain accomplishments, and encourages developers to put their games on the Xbox Live Arcade. Additionally, this hinders the fervor caused from the lack of exposure for indie titles, where Sony benefited marvelously.
But this news is definitely highlighting the future of digital content, where developers are gradually competing against not only each other, but mainstream titles issuing a continuous stream to fans. And it's clear who is winning as of this moment. Though, an expansion of the current model gives small developers a distinct advantage: by offering more achievements, essentially they can divide their game's content more, treating the player to a better overall experience. Thus arcade titles are more attractive. Especially to the "achievement whores" out there desperate for more gamerscore.
Microsoft has sensed that competitiveness spilling over into the digital scene, as more publishers push post-release content. And, evidently, this works threefold to Microsoft's credit. First, the move gives Arcade considerable exposure; second, the company is seen as recognizing smaller studios; and third, the money pours in. It's rare for a marketing strategy to benefit nearly everyone -- and Microsoft comes out looking brilliant as a result.
Eventually, however, indie developers are shafted. There's been calls forever for independent games to have achievements, and realistically that would increase sales exponentially. Eighty Microsoft Points for a title as simple as Techno Kitten Adventure, and to be adequately proportional, let's say 100 gamerscore. Microsoft wins again: it supports the indie community and awards consumers by incentivizing the titles.
Because of the costliness of maintaining Gold yearly, and also the awkward structuring of Microsoft Points, I never found myself investing in downloadable titles. I own Castle Crashers, but that's as far as my digital collection goes. I'm not an achievement whore (was in a past life, a dark time indeed) and due to financial limitations I'm only (planning on) getting two to three games this year, including downloadable games. And, to this day, I haven't figured out why.
Rarely do I applaud gaming companies for anything, but by all accounts this is brilliant. A smart move by Microsoft to back itself out of a corner and small studios get more recognition and creative freedom as a consequence. Strangely, it's a win-win situation. We need more of those going forward. Jeff out.
I had not heard this, but I think it's a good idea. I don't go out of my way (too badly) for trophies and achievements, but I do like my gamer scores as they are better than most of my friends, and video gaming is largely about being competitive isn't it? :)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking on this the oher day though anyway - how downloadable titles are getting so big and filled with features and content - yet the reward points come at a snail's pace, because they can only hand out so many goodies at a time. I do think these achievements/trophies give a lot of players additional motivation to play - and really replay - games.