14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has revealed the first actual details about the revamped achievements system that will be introduced alongside the Xbox One next-gen console, mentioning that both games and other applications will have achievements, as well as timed challenges.
The Xbox 360 introduced the notion of achievements and, since then, other platforms have adopted the idea while mixing it up with other elements.
With the Xbox One, Microsoft wants to further change the system and, besides the regular old achievements that give Gamerscore points from within games, developers can now organize special challenges that will offer other types of rewards, such as bonus artwork or songs from the soundtrack.
Check out the official details below, via the blog of Microsoft's Larry Hryb.
"There are now two types of Achievements: achievements and challenges. An achievement is probably already familiar. There’s a goal or activity you must accomplish and a reward that you receive upon completion. You can unlock an achievement at any time, be it on a game’s launch day or 3 years later."
"A challenge, on the other hand, is more like an opportunity – better grab it while you can! It is also comprised of a goal and a reward; however, challenges are time-bound (as in, real life time). That means you can only unlock during its eligible time window."
Challenges, however, won't give out Gamerscore, so there's a leveled playing field between all players of a game. You can check out another list of details below.
- Challenges are time based. As just noted, challenges are only available for a certain period of time. Only your activity during that timeframe will count toward unlocking the challenge. Achievements do not expire, so you can unlock them at your leisure.
- Challenges do not give out Gamerscore. We want everyone to have the same shot at increasing their Gamerscore to its highest potential. Since challenges are intentionally temporary (an opportunity) and achievements never expire (a promise), only achievements may offer Gamerscore as a reward.
- Challenges may cross titles, but achievements cannot. Achievements cannot be shared across titles whereas challenges are allowed to span multiple titles.
- Challenges can be unlocked by the community. Community challenges are typically goals that exceed what a lone player can accomplish in the given period of time. Imagine, for example, a game releases a headshot weekend challenge that requires players to cumulatively headshot 1 million baddies in a 3 day period. And every person who participates and meets the challenge’s goals gets the unlock on his or her achievement history and reaps its reward.
All these new achievements and challenges will be included in all Xbox One games, whether retail or downloadable, and even in applications.