| twesterm said: What can I say, I like seeing my progress across games. I may like Super Mario Galaxy 2 more than Gears of War but I can't help it, I love seeing my gamerscore go up. I collect things, it's kind of what I do. |
It's a powerful psychological hook. But when a psychological hook gets you to waste your time/money etc., and choose options that are less good for you (in whatever way, entertainment, health, whatever) such as choosing to play a less fun game with achievements over a fun game without them, it's bad. Examples of psychological hooks used this way: WoW, Scientology, comfort eating, comfort shopping. I have no doubt Farmville will be viewed like WoW is now in the near future (it pretty much already is).
When psychological hooks exist in a way that gets you to do something productive or help you to make *better* decisions, it's not seen as so bad, but achievements definitely do not do that.
A game I'm developing with some friends:
www.xnagg.com/zombieasteroids/publish.htm
It is largely a technical exercise but feedback is appreciated.
