Does earning Platinums feel rewarding enough?

[Stickaxe]

Last month I earned my 2nd platinum trophy (Transistor); my first was several years ago. I remember the feeling of relief when that final trophy popped (especially so because I thought it might be glitched and I might not get it) and the thought of "I have reached the peak of my journey with this awesome game. Now there is nothing left to experience and it is time to move on." It was one of those feel good fuzzy moments that stuck with me for a couple days.

 

But I've been thinking lately about that experience. What percentage of gamers even attempt to go for the platinum in anything? And then what percentage of those actually stick with it to the end? Not that those who don't are doing it wrong; people play games for different reasons. But for those that do strive for the platinum, often going through painful grinding and/or completing uniquely difficult challenges, that moment when it pops feels like a let down. The last trophy you need pops, there's a few seconds of delay, and then the platinum trophy pops as if it were an everyday bronze. That's it; nothing else happens. I wasn't expecting Ode To Joy to start playing like in Peggle, but I was kinda hoping for a little more than "You've earned a trophy!...You've earned a trophy!" It makes me wish that Sony had actually implemented that Trophy Room that they showed off in the reveal for Home all those years ago, just so I can have a few seconds of gazing on the shiny product of my hard work. The system as it is now makes the Platinum trophies feel like just another trophy that advances your "Trophy Level" more than Gold trophies.

 

I'm guessing that for you hardcore trophy hunters, each platinum really is just another one for your hoard. I'm speaking for the majority of gamers who don't have the time to earn them as if it's their job. To me, platinums 

are a special and rare treat that are mostly beyond my patience level for each game I play.

 

What do you guys think? Would you want there to be some cheesy celebratory thing that happens (like, say, a short clip of a gigantic shiny trophy in a display case accompanied by angelic chorus music) when you achieve Platinum status? Or is it perfect the way it is?

[Vagantem]

I still get that "Yay I finally got it" feeling. 

Especially if it was a tough game in the first place. 

 

But I agree, we need something more than just a ping. 

[Tekyumeeee]

Never really thought about that. I've always felt they were unique. My eyes are glued to the screen as I'm waiting for it to pop, and when it does pop it's still pretty satisfying to me. That said, if they were to actually make the Platinum pop-up more unique, whether it's something small like adding a little bit of confetti or as big as having it cover the entire screen, I would totally be on board with that. But it's such a brief moment and I doubt anything like that would be implemented. To me it's more about adding one to the collection, as far as earning Platinums anyway.

[ZeroXOF]

Depends on what type of game the gamer is playing. I could imagine something unique as Raiden or Catherine deserves a shout from the rooftops. 

Edited April 24, 2015 by ZeroXOF

[FluffyAssassin64]

Very interesting topic. I've been a hunter for a while now, and I still very often get an immense feeling of satisfaction from the platinum 'popping' (particularly if it's a hard one or something I've been playing for a while). I can definitely see what you mean though; the sound and everything else is exactly the same which is kind of boring, haha.

 

What I would like to see happen is for developers to be able to set something they deem appropriate for their game as a kind of "well done" when earning the platinum. This would allow the developers to further reflect the personality of their game into the game's highest honour.

 

Examples

• If it's a Borderlands game, it would be pretty sweet to have Claptrap giving you a funny congratulatory message
• Dark Souls, a "good show, good sir" or message from the developers congratulating you Maybe even a record of how many times you died on your journey to the platinum.
• A brutal 2D platformer, a simple message of congratulations with a pile of all the dead bosses you've killed across the game would be pretty cool.

I think this is just what we need to add some extra personality into the gaming world moving forwards. Games have evolved with the generations; why not the trophy reward system? I love trophies, but this would be an excellent way to reward the increasing numbers of gamers who love collecting them

 

Let's make it happen!

Edited April 24, 2015 by FluffyAssassin64

[Tomoko Kuroki]

For me it's just confirmation of completing something 100%. I've always went for achieving 100% in anything I've done in life. I aim for 100%, then set small goals until I reach that goal, it's just my way of life. Gaming has always been part of me but obtaining platinum's is actually new to me since like a year and a half. I was injured and can't participate in the sport I had practiced in for  11 years. 

 

My secondary hobby which was gaming, actually saved me from serious depression. Getting platinums helps me realise I can still achieve things.

 

So for me, I'm happy with the simple "bling" Platinum, and this great site to view profiles and such. Though if they would add "more" to obtaining trophies I would certainly be happy about it.

Edited April 24, 2015 by Tomoko Kuroki

[xZoneHunter]

I'd love it if there were a couple more rewards bound to earning a platinum. Like avatars or themese or cool borders around your psn profile. But yeah even without that, i still get that feeling of accomplishment when earning a platinum and it's enough to keep me going. Sites like PSNP help aswell. It's awesome to be engaged in a community that loves the same thing you do.

Edited April 24, 2015 by xZoneHunter

[ExHaseo]

For me, it's pretty satisfying just getting a plat, but I'll admit, it would be pretty awesome if there was a different noise for when plats pop. Not even anything drastic, just a different noise than the normal, to signify that it's a plat, would likely make it a little more exciting.

[Avatar_Of_Battle]

I never viewed the platinum trophy as being more rewarding as playing the game itself to be honest. If I can get the platinum in a game then yes I will go for it. If not then it's no big deal. I have a lot of fun playing shooter games but I know I'm never going to get the platinum in most of them. 

 

Spending your money and enjoying what you've bought should be what is rewarding I think. Otherwise you are basically making yourself spend money on something that is going to feel like a chore.

 

Before there were trophies games were played...just to play. It was satisfying just to take a break from real life. Nothing much has changed except it seems to me that the trophy system (especially that Platinum) gives a more competitive edge because people feel they aren't going to be seen as good if they don't have the Platinum in a game one of their friends does. (or if they can see impressive trophy collections online.)

 

I agree with many others that Themes and Avatars would be a great addition though. Especially after seeing the art pop up for Darksiders and Darksiders II when you stay on the game icon for a few seconds. Not being able to put those as my background kinda sucked. 

 

I actually think this site does well for displaying trophies like the Milestones and the Cabinet though...

[manyuhesp]

I feel relief, but it'd be great that a platinum would actually be a meaningful reward, like what they did with that Sony trailer props.

[HDstay_WINNING]

The trophy room in PSHome would've been great, but I don't know. I go for platinums in games that I really enjoy playing. I see it as my way of showing appreciation to the the creators, however lame that may sound, that's how I view platinums. Something I would like to see though, is when you platinum a game the image for the trophy becomes available as an avatar.

[Kazeh54]

I like some of the ideas you guys have here. In particular the developers doing something in the game.

I know some games give you items. For example, Kingdom Hearts 1.5 and 2.5 give you a theme for each game you get all the trophies for.

 

I guess my opinion is, If they changed it up, it would be a welcomed difference.

If not, well I'm happy with how it is anyway

[DesmaBR]

Seeing the platinum is nice, but it doesn't feel as rewarding as it should be.

 

But just looking at the platinum count on your profile increasing does feel rewarding after a while.

 

tl;dr Not very rewarding when I get it, but after a time I do feel rewarded

[RICO2100]

I still smile when i get a platinum but of course i had the biggest grin when I got my all glorious Hannah Montana platinum. but in all seriousness i've enoyed seeing every single one of my Platinums except for Hannah Montana lol

[xKrAzY_8sx]

I like some of the ideas you guys have here. In particular the developers doing something in the game.

I know some games give you items. For example, Kingdom Hearts 1.5 and 2.5 give you a theme for each game you get all the trophies for.

 

I guess my opinion is, If they changed it up, it would be a welcomed difference.

If not, well I'm happy with how it is anyway

They give you themes for platinuming the game too? Because I know you get one as long as you beat the game and watch through the credits.

 

On topic, I still thoroughly enjoy getting platinums. I get a sense of acomplishment, and also it's another way to guarantee that I spent my money's worth. But that's not to say the games I don't plat I don't get my money's worth. That depends on if I enjoyed the game and play it through multiple times. Just plating is that little bit extra. As for whether we should get more rewards, I do agree they should do something to make it worthwhile. I personally enjoyed that Sucker Punch added in both inFamous Second Son and First Light, that when the platinum popped up, Delsin and Fetch both had a small speech about it. It was a nice little touch and it would be pretty cool if characters in games did that more often.

 

 

That video is a little overdramatic, but it does show off what Delsin says as the platinum trophy pops. Just a cool concept for developers to acknowledge our hard work into getting every trophy. The speech starts off a little bit before the 1 minute mark if you want to skip.

Edited April 24, 2015 by xKrAzY_8sx

[Condemned09]

Im always satisfy with a platinum its such.a great feelings when i see that platinum knowing that all my hard work pays off

[OnePieceDude]

When I wasted Time Eater in Sonic Generations to get my platinum I danced like a bitch.

Does that count?

Edited April 24, 2015 by OnePieceDude

[Nihiris-]

Wouldn't mind having an exclusive chime for obtaining a platinum trophy. Would be really cool if for every game you get a plat, you get access to a theme and avatar set exclusive to platinum owners.

[Auto-Tomato]

Plats that don't feel rewarding to me usually occur when the game in question has a poor trophy set...something I think devs, or whoever takes charge of the feature, should consider a lot more than they appear to.   What I mean by a poor set is trophy requirements that can quite often have a negative impact on our experience with a game.   Tiresome collectibles, either too many or the mechanics of the game aren't optimal for collecting such things, i.e. no chapter select etc...   Obnoxious difficulty trophies, countless play-through trophies that don't stack...there are numerous gripes people have with all sorts of trophies...it's when you finally overcome the chore and get that Plat that there 'can be' a feeling of disappointment rather than joy...a kind of 'that's it?', all that unnecessary time with a game for one Plat ping?!   That's what I find most bothersome about a lot of Plats.

 

Regarding the Plat celebrations, yeah, it could be a lot better than just another ping, perhaps Plats should have their own unique 'ping', or they suspend the game and appear full screen where devs can create whatever they want, relevant to that game, to express the reward.  The inFamous vid above is a nice touch (I have both those Plats and didn't even notice lol), but I'd like to see the What's New feature on PS4 utilise the info boxes better, and a big one with a Plat, and only the Plat, when it's earned, instead of x/y/z friend has earned x amount of trophies from y game...and you just happen to notice one of them is the Plat!   A sub section under the trophy icon with a Plat trophy room would be cool too...   Probably a lot of things devs & Sony could do.

 

However, as much as it'd be fun to see novel uses/expressions of the Plat reward, I'm still more concerned with games having rewarding and enjoyable trophy sets, I certainly don't mean easy, but appropriate to the game in such a way as to not diminish the experience, or sour the enjoyment to the point that we are getting the Plat just so we can move on, rather than achieving it and sitting back and thinking what a brilliant game and I really enjoyed getting those trophies!

[killivincent]

Actually getting a Platinum means lot to me especially if I think I can't do it (Catherine) But for the games that are not really my genre I'm just glad I even get trophy for finishing them or so on..I really like if the Platinum Trophy has an amazing picture. It stays in your memory and it's great to be able to see the dates from your trophies, it makes me at least recall what happened that day. To me Trophy list is more like a memory list or something. When I see some game with Platinum on my trophy list it usually makes me remember my experience on that game and then I usually replay it for fun without worrying about completion or anything. I wonder if my memory is still as good after 100 games or so on.. >_< Maybe I memorize my youth days from my Trophy list when I'm old granny.

 

Tedious Trophies do make it feel like it's work though and usually ruins the fun, but I like pushing myself so I try them at least. But I don't ever want getting Platinum Trophies to become a routine and/or an obsession. Gaming is supposed to be fun, right? 

Edited April 24, 2015 by killivincent

[y6ner]

it really does feel good when you finally get a platinum especially if they are really hard its a good way to compete with others it would have been better if you get more experience out of it to level up

[Dragon-Archon]

I like it when platinum trophies have an amazing image that makes it feel like a reward. Some examples are Dragon's Dogma, Resident Evil 5, Tales of Hearts R, Final Fantasy XIII, and Persona 4 Golden. Getting an XMB theme for the PS3 is also a nice reward.

[Galactic Hyper Balls]

Very rewarding, especially if it's a game I gave up on, got corrupted data or thought would be impossible to get. Looking at you mirrors edge and resonance of fate plus a few more

 

On the other hand, I did like getting back rounds from the FFXIII for getting thy --->  .

[IcemanEire]

Would be good if there was something more for when it popped! Some good ideas on here!

 

Still love seeing that Platinum ping tough!

 

 

[Woop982]

The video xKrAzY_8sx shared was a very cool example how games can make trophy hunting even more rewarding. 

I wish you could get some kind of a reward in-game after you get your platinum to possibly keep you playing even after you're done with the trophies.

 

In Bloodborne it would be cool if you could get like a new weapon or a key that unlocks a new area or something like that.