Study: Achievement-rich games sell better

Electronic Entertainment Design and Research has found titles that implement goals properly average significantly greater sales out of the retail gate.

For developers of Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 titles, focusing on achievements and trophies may not guarantee blockbuster hits. However, there's a strong correlation between games that sell well and games that offer numerous and diverse accomplishments, according to a new study from Electronic Entertainment Design and Research.

The more achievements, the merrier the shareholders.

Looking at the first three months of US retail sales for all Xbox 360 games released through March of this year, EEDAR found that games with numerous achievements tended to move more copies. On average, games that included more than 30 achievements sold three times as many copies as those with 30 or fewer in-game goals. Developers are apparently picking up on the trend, as the first three months of 2008 saw more than 60 percent of Xbox 360 games released with more than 40 achievements, compared to 52 percent for all of 2007 and 42 percent for 2006.

"It's certainly not that the achievements are driving game sales," EEDAR director of research Shane Hebard-Massey told GameSpot. "Those dev teams are putting more work in to make a better experience for the gamer and that often carries through [to the rest of the game's development]."

The report also notes diversity of achievements as another strong correlate to sales success, echoing an EEDAR study from last year. The group sorted achievements into 16 different categories, ranging from completion tasks ("beat the game," for example) to community goals (upload a user video or share a custom-made level). Outside of the Xbox 360's 2005 holiday release window--when games with more varied achievements actually sold fewer copies over three months than their diversity-poor counterparts--there's a clear correlation.

As for Sony's PS3 trophies, the report acknowledges them, but suggests they might play out in a slightly different manner than their Xbox 360 counterparts.

"Almost every Xbox 360 user, no matter how casual, has earned an Achievement," Hebard-Massey wrote in the report. "By not exposing users to trophies with every game, Sony is missing out on exposing the more casual user base to this system. Additionally, Sony is also not catering to the hardcore crowd that just love earning accomplishments."

112 Comments

  • nephili232

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 10:17 pm PT

    For anyone with a basic statistic background it's obvious that this study is meaningless. There are a lot of confounding factors.

    That being said I'm a little OCD and I didn't buy Force Unleashed (a mediocre game I was on the fence about buying) because it didn't come with trophies. And I'll likely buy Deadspace (another game I'm on the fence about) because it has trophies. They add that little extra incentive.

  • darknferno12

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 5:30 pm PT

    The reason why games with 41-50 sell better is because you need a lot of time to get all of them but 1-10 (which are probably most rented) is a simple rent. Personally I like achievements they give you more of a reason to play a game, do more stuff in them and the PS3 is missing out not having trophies in every game but in the games that have them they are sometimes better implemented than Achievements.

  • ThAdEa82

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 2:58 pm PT

    duh...everyone wants to hear the pop-click

  • Rasjr20

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 2:56 pm PT

    beetroot502 pretty said what I was going to say

  • Rasjr20

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 2:56 pm PT

    beetroot502 pretty said what I was going to say

  • sgt-hawkins

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 8:59 am PT

    i wonder how much money they spent to find out somthing that was completly obvius...

  • surppo

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 8:21 am PT

    i think it might be because the games of better quality are reflected by better and more diverse achievements. the game developers that care more about there products are gonna make sure to give attention to all the features they can

  • Dualmask

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 7:16 am PT

    I don't have a 360 so I can't really speak for or against the achievements, but I find it surprising that they affect gamers the way they do. Personally I'd be more interested in unlocking something tangible, but on the other hand, I guess this can be likened to getting high scores on old-school games, which I can identify with.

    I say all that to say...I guess it makes sense.

  • gow117

    Posted Oct 7, 2008 3:31 pm PT

    Beetroot502 is right and the sales reflect just that
    people r addicted to achievements it´s very cool to..achieve

  • necronaux

    Posted Oct 7, 2008 10:07 am PT

    Makes sense. Even if you don't really want to play the game, if you can pick up a bunch of achievement points by doing some simple tasks, a lot of people are going for it.

  • king_bobo

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 1:00 pm PT

    I also agree with Beetroot502. They extend a game, meaning that if the achievements are worth trying to get, you'll spend longer playing the game.

  • king_bobo

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 12:58 pm PT

    For achievements, I agree with bellz666. Personally though, for PS3 trophies I prefer 'collect' type things and 'achieve this many kills', as they seem more 'trophy-like'. So that's what I 'think', apostrophises and all...

  • bellz666

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 6:46 am PT

    I'm an achievment fan, I love getting the notice that I earned one. I would rather they be storyline based, as it rewards playing through the game versus collecting. Not a knock on anything, just my two cents.

  • Beetroot502

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 6:02 am PT

    Achievments in games are almost like a mini-game to played along with the actual gameplay. To me they act to boost up the replay value of games, I know getting achievments don't really do anything (they will start to matter in the future with the Avatars on XBL), but they become addicting to...achieve.

  • CureForLiving

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 12:13 am PT

    Achievements are good, although I'd say that the initial sales for a game are more hype based then trophy based. But just because games with more throphies have sold better doesn't mean that trophies sell games. Thats the nice thing about stats for example more people die in hospitals then in football stadiums so if you have a heart attack why go to the hopital? You're statistically more likely to die in hospital.

  • raahsnavj

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 9:08 pm PT

    Personnally if a game has too many achievements and they are off the wall I will avoid the game longer. For example the Orange box. I want to play portal, but could care less about the rest but have avoided playing any of it simply because I don't want a bunch of achievements I haven't got yet staring at me.

    Another good example is GH3. Tons of people have it, but I would have to say GH3 has the worst achievements ever implemented in a game.

  • mikep09

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 7:46 am PT

    retarded article! i care for achievements on a game i bought because I LIKED THE ACTUAL GAME! I buy the game and THEN i look at achievements. I own both ps3 and x360 and I will always buy a 360 game over ps3 just cause it has achievements and PS3's network is just plain retarded, kinda like this article.

  • Knoar

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 5:00 pm PT

    What a dumb study. This is obviously a matter of correlation, not causal.

  • zolloz89

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 3:20 pm PT

    why do achievements even matter. i play the game because i want to, not to boost my gamerscore. if it happens while i play, then oh well.

  • dynomitemasta

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 2:30 pm PT

    All in store 360 games have 1000 gamer points to be had, the arcade games vary, but I don't think anyone bases their decisions on "how many" achievements are in a game, . . that's silly.
    Maybe for the PS3, because not all games have trophies.

  • Wolfcp11

    Posted Oct 3, 2008 4:59 pm PT

    More likely that the games with many achievements have higher production values

  • blink182_99

    Posted Oct 3, 2008 2:53 pm PT

    huh weirld, but it does make sense

  • blink182_99

    Posted Oct 3, 2008 2:53 pm PT

    huh weirld, but it does make sense

  • Aphallatosis

    Posted Oct 3, 2008 1:43 pm PT

    I hope people get burned out on achievements soon. I don't want obsessive compulsive point collecting driving game design.

  • zyxomma100

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 1:10 pm PT

    "It's certainly not that the achievements are driving game sales," EEDAR director of research Shane Hebard-Massey told GameSpot. "Those dev teams are putting more work in to make a better experience for the gamer and that often carries through [to the rest of the game's development]."

    Exactly. Why this is news is beyond me.

  • squall_lionheart

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 12:05 pm PT

    achievements ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Travis281

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 10:28 am PT

    I agree with the director, what's more likely is that devs who provide more achievements actually make better games.

  • Get_Shorty

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 10:27 am PT

    Wait wait wait... Are they saying Sony isn't planning on implementing the Trophy System on all games coming out now moving forward?! That they're only doing it on some games only not all? I hope that's not true. I hope it's going to be for all games from now on.

  • player_leo

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 8:34 am PT

    Guess that shoots down the whole "Achievements don't make a difference" argument.

  • MonkeyWrench127

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 8:09 am PT

    Okay, I'll admit achievements are addictive, but they cannot and must not replace what games do best; FUN

  • Lord_Regnier

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 7:57 am PT

    Whoever thought of the achievement system deserves a medal!

  • prioritymail

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 6:56 am PT

    I just think that the better games also have better achievements put into them. I don't think anyone buys based on achievements though

  • Witchsight

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 5:51 am PT

    I cant explain the appeal of achievements... You would never do the things they ask you to other than to say you did them.
    And for that sake alone they are rediculously compelling. I DONT KNOW WHY!

  • stjimmy222

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 2:31 am PT

    Yeah but the new trophies system for the PS3 might be jsut as good when it gets fully underway...i hope. The achievements on 360 are a good thing though and do motivate players more. I can see why they're more popular.

  • kugliim

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 2:02 am PT

    I moved from the 360 to the PS3 and really miss achievements. They gave you more reasons to play through levels and games again. Getting the full 1000 points on a game was a massive achievement and made you feel so much better. Not only had to finished the game... but also achieved what the developers wanted you too. It's harder with the online achievements as some online players are too hard to beat for casual gamers.

    I miss my 360 and it's achievments. Don't make the mistake I did and move off the 360.

  • iAkuma

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 1:45 am PT

    Well... it makes sense doesn't it? Achievements motivate players to finish the game completely/achieve certain goals. I actually like them, some are quite a challenge

  • MegadethAndy

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 1:42 am PT

    I've just started getting trophies for wipeout HD, and it does bring a great deal of satisfaction to the game. I look forward to home so i can see em all on a virtual shelf lol.

  • cooldude03

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 10:09 pm PT

    When the achievement system was first announced I thought it was stupid, but after owning my Xbox360 from day 1 I've become addicted to the achievements. The better moreoriginal achievement do get more attention. I will also agree achievements don't make a great game but they do compliment a great game.

  • SEEDman_X

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 9:08 pm PT

    I don't know why. I know unlocking achievement won't give you anything of substance, but I am just so addicted to unlock them all! It's magical :-)

  • maaly81

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 9:01 pm PT

    i agree. i like achievements

  • kevinsyel

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 8:49 pm PT

    I like my achievement system. I wish sony's trophy system amounted to numbered goals to as oppose to trophy types. even Mega Man 9 for Wii-Ware has challenge points. Developers definitely understand a gamers thirst to prove that they're better than anyone else. achievement type goals are the way to go

  • White_Wolf_Kiba

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 8:32 pm PT

    I never cared about achievements and never will

  • Merl57

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 6:43 pm PT

    wow this is common sense but is has data to prove

  • King_Chozo

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 5:50 pm PT

    Sony definitely needs to get on the whole trophy thing because now it's just this weird thing that appeared on the xmb because most people (like myself) only have 1 or 2 games out of like 20-some have them.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 5:30 pm PT

    achievments are a motivation to play a game even if you beat it.

  • abelav78

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 4:47 pm PT

    Yeah achievements its one part of why i buy certain games, also for great graphics, gameplay, fun ,etc. Achievements are good, they give you goals and they let you try different aspects of the game that if you just played it and finish it, you wouldnt even touch or discover probably. its your choice if you wanna play 20 more hours or whatever to get them or just go play another game. For me it helps replayability of certain titles and getting fully into a game and most of its aspects. It support em. I actually buy the 360 version of games that are also on the ps3 just for the achievements, i know my ps3 has better graphics and its better system but i just love to brag about how i beat x or y game and let my friends see it.

  • LynchMob09R

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 4:31 pm PT

    I think what makes a great game is two-fold. Great story along with great gameplay mechanics and easy achievements that boost your gamer score. A great example would be sports games. Great games and fun also the added bonus of easy achievements which are sports related

  • jasonlc3221

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 4:27 pm PT

    achievement-haters will never understand. It's pointless trying to explain it to them.

    But it's easy for us achievement-lovers to understand the haters. The reason they hate them is because they think they're the only ones that see the big conspiracy within the whole achievement system. They think "Oh you're not going to get me to play a game for another 20 hours just to get a couple achievements, I see right through this games evil plans to get me to play another 20 hours."

    OMFG!!! How dare you play that game for another 20 hours, especially if it's a really good game. (Sarcasm)

    Did you dumb@$$es not read my last comment in this article.

    And for those of you idiots saying games are too easy these days.........are you therefore trying to say that achievements are too easy too? If so, lets go over some easy achievements, shall we?

    Mile High Club - COD4
    Seriously (10,000 Kills Online) - GoW
    Medal of Honor - Battlestations Midway
    Ace (185,000 Points) - Aegis Wing
    Overkill (4 kills within 4 seconds) - Halo 3
    Reversals Only - Def Jam Icon
    Turtle Soup - TMNT 1989 Arcade

    I can come up with many more if you want........

    My point is, I think the achievement haters are actually just sh*tty gamers, they suck at the games they play and they try to act like the don't care about achievement points because, really, they just aren't good enough to get any of the tough ones.

  • bulletsword

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 3:59 pm PT

    well... you can't argue with that nice sense of accomplishment you always get when you unlock one.

  • Mystikef

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 3:51 pm PT

    response to Coldfire Trilogy--

    I am not sure why you are so upset? If someone wants to play a game just to get points... isn't that up to them? It is their life and their money and their time? Who are you to judge? If you don't want to do it... then don't. There are plenty of other positive things about Achievments besides nabbing points. But for those who want points... who cares as long as they are enjoying themselves. As my previous post states... I could care less about points... but I see the other obvious benefits of Achievments (or trophys).

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