Achievement Farming – What’s the point?

That's just not good enough.

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As an OCG (Obsessive Compulsive Gamer) I’m the kind of person who likes to explore every nook and cranny, collect every secret item, unlock hidden characters, finish storylines at 120% and… tick off achievements.

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Last night was spent farming achievements for TF2 on Steam. Whilst at first it was so I could be rewarded with more weapons, it eventually dawned on me that I also wanted to tick everything possible off, even after all rewards had been distributed.

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But what was the point? As their title suggests, was it so I could feel as though I was actually achieving something? Looking back, all I can feel is nothing. I guess it’s just a marker of how long somebody’s actually been playing a game, and/or how dedicated they are to it.

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When L4D first came out I was set on ticking off everything possible. I’m still unsure as to why I wanted to in the first place, but the fact still remains that I only have a handful left. I would play match after match, seeking to finally clear my whole list.

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Sad but true. It seems that these achievements achieve what the purpose developers have built them in for – to draw gamers into playing longer, and feel as though they are experiencing something more rewarding.