http://www.psu.com/Rebuttal--PS3-Trophies-and-how-they-achieve-Feature--a007184-p0.php

One week ago, Destructoid published an editorial entitled "PS3 Trophies and how they underachieve." We thought that it brought up some great points, though we also felt it entirely ignored several key factors that make Sony's Trophies successful. In the spirit of balance, we thought we'd write up a friendly rebuttal. Here's why we believe that PS3 Trophies do achieve.

The Destructoid writer mentioned that he "never felt any sort of attachment to [his] PSN handle," at least "not like [he does] with the Xbox 360 Gamertag." In fact, he thought that one of the service's primary problems "is the fact that the PlayStation Network has not succeeded in creating the feeling of a true online identity for its players." We would have completely agreed with him a year ago, but not anymore. Within the last few months, Sony integrated PlayStation.com with the PlayStation Network, allowing users to manage their settings, check their friends list, comment on the PlayStation Blog, and most importantly, view their Trophies from absolutely anywhere with Internet. Plus, with the advent of Sony's official Portable ID and the emergence of several customizable Trophycards, it's easier than ever to showcase your PlayStation Network ID in the online arena. Those 'cards' are massively popular on our forum -- check out the signatures in any recent thread for proof -- putting a solid dent in the "lack of online identity" argument.

What about the user experience while on the PlayStation Network itself? That is integral to one's attachment to those hard-earned Trophies. While we do agree that Xbox Live currently trumps the PlayStation Network in ease of use, PSN is now in close pursuit. Early adopters will remember the pre-'In-game XMB' era, the clunky original iteration of the PlayStation Store, and of course, the PlayStation Network sans PlayStation Trophies. The network has come a very long way, and it looks like that evolution is far from over.

Now, let's talk specific logistics. Destructoid argues that Xbox Achievements "have an 'every little [bit] helps' aura about them," while "only a few Trophies actually matter." That's just it, though; PS3 Trophies are designed to reward difficulty and completion (a true test of gamer skill) through the use of Silver, Gold, and Platinum values, whereas a high Xbox Live GameScore can be accrued through repetition of simplistic low value achievements. If you tried to do this on PSN and simply went after the Bronze Trophies, your overall Trophy level would barely budge. Why should clicking the start button on The Simpsons Game "matter"? Moreover, why should gamers be equally rewarded for playing Avatar: The Last Airbender for two minutes as they are for trekking through Oblivion for dozens upon dozens of hours? The distribution and values of achievements are so inconsistent that an overall score -- compared to a Trophy level composed of heavily different, scaled values -- means nothing.

And, unfortunately, while nice, Achievements are ultimately worthless. Trophies, meanwhile, can actually provide access to other (digital) items. With benchmarks from games like Resident Evil 5, Street Fighter IV, SingStar and others netting users various rewards in PlayStation Home, the whole system acquires increased sense of value.

So, do we disagree with Destructoid? Not entirely. Trophies, like most other things, are not perfect. We agree that the required syncing is irritating, the 'level up' system could be expanded, and Sony should absolutely bring Trophies over to the PSP. Still, the Trophy system has been a great addition to the PlayStation Network, and we felt it should be recognized for its achievements.

They forgot to deal with the most important issue regarding trophies! How do you turn them off so they don't bother you when you play games?!!

Edit: I would be happier to never recieve a single trophy. I don't want to make any statements about how I've played a game, just a personal landmark is all I want.

So it bothers you when the anouncement for a new trophy appeares? Ignore it, I know you can. Otherwise you recognise that you do care.

trophies = win

Trophies are better than Gamerscore IMO, for they give a sense of achievement. I don't know about you, but I prefer getting a gold/platinum trophy to getting 'points.'

Trophies make you feel like you've actually done something, rather than a points based system which is just like, yeh, I;ve got another 'x' amount of points, so what?

getting a platinum is like the holy grail to some.I'm still trying with uncharted, Slowly but surely I'm getting there

keep it up dude, you'll get there in the end. it was my second and I suck at games.

If anything, Trophies are less intrusive than Achievements when they pop up...

I personally really like the trophies on the PSN! I feel that it gives a better sense of achievement than getting a score from playing the game as you know exactly what you have done in the game and which parts were more difficult, being the Silver, Gold and Platinum trophies!

It is a welcome addition to the PS3 imo and it will only get better with age

Even the sound when the trophy comes up is awesome