PS3 trophies mandatory in 2009

[UPDATE] Sony confirms all new games submitted for certification after January 1 must include award system.

Much as Microsoft is currently grappling with technical snafus associated with the New Xbox Experience, Sony faced its own minor debacle during the implementation of the long-anticipated trophy system for PlayStation 3 games. System lockups aside, confusion abounded over which games would feature the new award system.

At fault for the mystery was that unlike Microsoft's mandatory approach to gamerscore achievements, Sony left the option to implement trophies up to the discretion of both internal and third-party developers. At that time, Sony's director of PlayStation Network Eric Lempel told GameSpot that, eventually, all new PS3 games would include trophies.

[UPDATE] The eventually in question is apparently coming sooner rather than later. A Sony representative confirmed for GameSpot that trophy support will be mandatory in all PS3 games submitted for certification beginning next year. "Trophies will be mandatory for titles submitted after January 1, 2009," said the rep. "Of course, many teams have already started to incorporate trophies and have added support for older titles."

Currently, a number of development houses have revisited their previously released titles to implement the award system, including Naughty Dog (Uncharted: Drake's Fortune), Rockstar (Grand Theft Auto IV), and Criterion (Burnout Paradise). However, these rewards are not awarded retroactively, requiring a fresh play-through to secure the achievements.

200 Comments

  • MadManRob

    Posted Jan 4, 2009 6:44 pm PT

    I like trophys they give the game a bit extra an as far as sony stealing the idea of MS dose that mean sega ripped off the grandstand when they used catridges get a life if thats how u think in game achievments have been in games in some form or another for ages before the xbox 3sh!tty came out, such as completeing levels in certain times or with a certain weapon would unlock a bonus level an such forth also on Resistance FOM there is a achievment section in the game with objectives such as squating over 15 dead chimira for " lovely parting gifts " achievment along with a hod load of others which gave me a sence of accomplishment when i had collected them also on the same game if you got all achievments an completed it on super human it unlocked bonus outfits for online play fair enuff u got no actual trophys but you got something other online gamers on RFOM could see an appreciate that you had mastered the game to get your special outfit, also its good to compare with your mates to see how thier doing in the game i remember years ago when mates would say yeah i completed it on super hard an had no proff well thos days are gone coz you can simply check an sort the men from the boys overall sony have not stole anything of MS the only thief is Bill Gates coz hes a money grabbing pillock who is only interested in lining his own pockets. you might have noticed i'm not a big MS fan over the years i've had so many versions of windows crash an burn on my pc it sways you to not being to keen, my mate laughed when i got my ps3 saying the xbox was best an the plum has had 5 in a year coz they all got the ring of doom well that just shouts quality craftsmanship don't it lmao sad div paid out 5 times for a heap of S$%t he then moaned that i only had 40gb of memory an he has 120gb well i'm the 1 laughing now coz after a simple upgrade i now have 250gb of memory alot of ppl will prob disagree with what i have had to say but i'm cheesed of with xbox fan boys slateing the ps3s coz thier gutted they bought the wrong system news flash psn is free xbox live is a rip off on that note i shall end my rant and i still think trophys are mint i like to collect things an its like a little record of how good you are at the game plus the obligatory bragging rites that come with trophy ownage

    MadManRob

  • MarcJL31

    Posted Dec 7, 2008 7:53 am PT

    @MagicOneUp
    "Sony is late to the party again! its like their best thing since sliced bread, on the 360 everything is from day one"

    I have all 3 console which I play so have no preference for either one. But lets take a look at the value of this comment. Yes the 360 did do it right from the get go with the Gamerscore and Achievement points. But that is kinda all they have had "from day one" The New Xbox Experience's biggest point was the incorporation of avatars. Well the Wii's Mii is an avatar, just called a different name. So 360 was late on that one. Also, the new Blu-ray external DVD drives Microsoft announced not too long ago. Well the PS3 has an internal one so again 360 is late on that. I guess to be fair I could say 360 had the HD DVD drives but look what happen there. So in any case, each system has its first. So in that argument, no one is superior to the other. Yes Sony is late with the trophies, 360 is late on the avatars, and when the new Wii HD comes out, it will be late on graphics. The only thing that matters is each system is learning from one another what the consumer wants and implements it. So whatever system you are for, it seem they are actually starting to listen to what people want and doing something about it. Which is a win for everyone.

  • Gifted_One

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 5:33 pm PT

    I have an idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There should be another level to the award system for both the 360 and PS3. I think it would only be fair to the consumer(Spender) /gamer if there was a real reward for completing all achievements/trophys. For instance, say you have Call Of Duty 5 and you complete 100% of the achievements for that game. You should get a Platinum Trophy/Whatever Microsoft deems to call it. Collecting 5 Platinum Trophies/Microsoft's version should award you something equivalent to say, 800 Microsoft points. Reason being that we spend money on every little thing that could possibly be legally charged in all aspects of life. Note: An "Overall Trophy/Microsoft's version" can only be awarded for Full Games. Not expansion packs or arcade games. It would give people more incentive to play more games. It would probably be more compelling to be used on the XBOX 360 due to the fact that PS3 doesn't charge for its online service. And just to make the "Overall Trophy" system more in-depth you would get a Bronze for 25% completion; Silver for 50% completion; and of course, Gold for 75% completion. Although, there would only be a reward with five Platinum Trophys/Microsoft's version. Wouldn't it be nice to spend $300 on games and at the very least be able to get at least $8-$12 worth of DownLoadableContent for a game at your desire? I should be in Public Relations industry. lol

    Let me know what YOU all think.

  • KTGamer1986

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 4:36 pm PT

    I don't know how to say it. . .but the truth is how will PS3 will succeed with its "trophy system" thing and sadly enough, hardly any good games come out for it. I'm not a fanboy of any console whatsoever, but lately as we all know Sony is basically trying to take the good games the other two companies have and calling them "new".

    Bullcrap. I like the Wii, 360, and PS3. But ever since day 1, PS3 has not been doing well lately in terms of sales and a library of good games. Truth be told, the ONLY two games that I know that are well worth playing on the PS3 are these two:

    1. Heavenly Sword
    2. MGS4: Guns of the Patriots

  • Mavus1

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 4:26 pm PT

    Now you know what would be awesome? If we got those 3D trophies that integrate into the Home trophy room. Obviously not for all of them. Bronze trophies can just be thumbnails but it would be nice if Silver trophies were larger high res images that could adorn you Home apartment and Gold trophies could be 3D trophies, animated or static. As for Platinums... well leave that up to developers to think of something special, so long as it really lets the community know how hard you worked for it and how awesome you are.

    One of the best things about trophies in my opinion is unlike GP you can really see how dedicated a gamer is, if they just have loads of bronzes then they play loads a game, but if they have golds, maybe the odd platinum, you know they're really serious about their game.

  • Shmoe82

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 3:21 pm PT

    Well good. I hate having to go and figure out which game works for trophies and which doesn't. I like some games trophies and some I don't but I believe all games should have trophies none the less.

  • jsmoke03

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 2:35 pm PT

    tomizzo, i think it will once home gets implemented. i heard somewhere in n4g that the trophy received will convert into virtual money used to buy and customize outfits and/or your pad in home. would provide the link except i kind of breezed through n4g at like 4 in the mornin.

  • GatCloudX

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 2:29 pm PT

    oh crap. I have a ps3 and ive seen tons of developers dropping their version of the game for ps3 claiming its to hard to develop for. developers are going to drop more games now since trophies are mandatory. but yet they wont drop the 360 version even though achievements are mandatory. whats up with developers these days they dont like the ps3 or something or is bill gates taking developers behind a red curtain and doing a little more than just giving them money to develop exclusives for 360. either way i think its rediculous that developers keep dropping games for ps3

  • tomizzo

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 2:00 pm PT

    I still don't think trophies will increase the sales of games for the PS3.

  • killzone_gamer

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 11:41 am PT

    Maldoror, although I agree with you on the most part (hence the 3rd thumps up ) I disagree that there are not enough good games out there. I have enough money to buy one game per month of average and I often find myself spoilt for choice!
    Mandatory trophies ftw

  • necronaux

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 11:03 am PT

    This could lead to some pretty lame trophies. If they're forced to include trophies, and they weren't planning on it, a designer might not put much effort into their trophy system -- you could get a trophy for just inserting the disc.

  • maldoror19

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 12:50 am PT

    Sure, achievements / trophies can inspire replay value, but instead of them being such a focal point, why can't Sony / MS send out a memo to some publishers saying that it's mandatory to make better games. That way there would be more games worth playing the first time around let alone for a second helping.

    (There's a descent amount of good games out but there are a lot more bad ones!)

  • jrorl63

    Posted Nov 29, 2008 1:52 pm PT

    GodsPoison

    ya dont expect konami to put in trophies for mgs4 because they dont even use the psn for mgo

  • twashington9737

    Posted Nov 29, 2008 9:26 am PT

    I have to admit, I could care less about trophies but when playing a game and I see the little trophy message in the upper right hand corner of the screen along with the little chime sound, I kinda dig it. I don't set out trying to achieve trophies all though I have looked at a list of potential trophies in the menu. It was actually kinda cool how when I put GTA IV back in after previously beating the game on my old PS3 and getting a replacement PS3 from Sony (couldn't back up my hard drive, before), I noticed I was ringing up trophies, this go round.

  • Wiazflia

    Posted Nov 29, 2008 8:17 am PT

    No word of psp trophies then huh? Being a 360 owner, this doesn't affect me much, but i would love to get some rewards on my playstation portable.

  • killkill3

    Posted Nov 29, 2008 4:21 am PT

    Sorry but Sony may have copied the trophy's idea from MS but MS copied the HDD install option from Sony and they also copied the XMB for their new NXE etc, nobody beats microsoft at copying, they are just the best in the field at it

  • MagicOneUp

    Posted Nov 29, 2008 3:21 am PT

    Sony is late to the party again! its like their best thing since sliced bread, on the 360 everything is from day one

  • GodsPoison

    Posted Nov 28, 2008 11:54 pm PT

    Yay, this means games i buy next year will have trophes for sure......now about the ones i have now that dont........what of MGS4 konami? one of the best selling ps3 games and no trophy support even now months after release? Must be working reeeeeeeaaaaaallllly hard on that ZOE3 then eh?

  • evilr34 posted Nov 28, 2008 10:54 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    evilr34

    Posted Nov 28, 2008 10:54 pm PT (hide)

    Another fine example of how Sony is copying Xbox

  • WKK

    Posted Nov 28, 2008 2:39 pm PT

    No one realizes but Sony is coming..

  • FLYEboi50

    Posted Nov 28, 2008 10:33 am PT

    woo
    im gonna have a butt load of trophies by the end of the '09

  • dmish82

    Posted Nov 28, 2008 7:57 am PT

    I think the trophies are helping to sell a lot of downloadable games. I personally feel like if the developer couldn't be bothered to add trophy support at this point, then I shouldn't be bothered to download the game.

  • Legendary_Ross

    Posted Nov 27, 2008 8:16 pm PT

    Good. Sony has to make sure there is conformity to make the trophy system work.

    @mcafeevsd:

    I think its totally cool to get laid AND get trophies. Trophies don't preclude the lay.

  • mcafeevsd posted Nov 27, 2008 4:27 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    mcafeevsd

    Posted Nov 27, 2008 4:27 pm PT (hide)

    I have a PS3 and it's amazing with it's Blu Ray drive, but why do you nerds get excited about trophies? Can someone please tell me what they are used for besides turning you into a geek that will never get laid?

    Seriously what the *^(%(*^ are people getting excited for trophies?

  • skulldog99

    Posted Nov 27, 2008 3:10 pm PT

    Finally, the PS3 NEEDED this from the get go!

  • raiden_mgs2

    Posted Nov 27, 2008 9:15 am PT

    yayyyy trophies im a trophy whore lol

  • Lisandro_v22

    Posted Nov 27, 2008 7:22 am PT

    why aren't awarded retoactively, what a drag

  • NinjaMunkey01

    Posted Nov 27, 2008 6:47 am PT

    Cool we need more games with trophies, so far though many games i have include them but its annoying when some dont when they could have...

  • Hawaiianc

    Posted Nov 27, 2008 5:20 am PT

    i dont know i think they should had wait till the next system like MS did now its going to suck if people plan to update there old games and redo all over agin... i just think its late in the game when half of the console life is gone by... they should wait on home too so it wouldnt have major bugs or issues since the software can be part of the build sony rushing i think..

  • mgs_freak91

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 10:56 pm PT

    Bladescorpion

    trophies? you mean achievement points. im not a fanboy - but show disrespect to the right company, sony and microsoft are both at fault for that - though there isnt that much of a problem.

  • mgs_freak91

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 10:55 pm PT

    to DPhunkT

    mate its business. if sony stole this idea then microsoft stole the idea of making a gaming console from EVERYONE before xbox. its just business. and even though trophies are like achievements, they both mean the same thing as both are rewards. but one is more then just a number, one is a number and a 3d looking trophy. so difference enough for anyone (other then fanboys)

  • slycooper21

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 9:15 pm PT

    I'm sure the trophy idea has been thought of by both MS and Sony for a while now. It's a great idea to add a lot of replay value to games that would collect dust otherwise. I don't think of it as stealing, because for 1 it isn't the EXACT same thing as MS's system. Granted it is close, but not the same. Like I said, I'm sure that it has been an idea since before the 360 and PS3 came out.

  • tigerfan1993

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 9:01 pm PT

    To OBonus, since each of those games are coming out next year, they will all have trophies as required.

  • killkill3

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 7:39 pm PT

    If Sony copied Microsoft's award system then Microsoft copied the PS3's installing on HDD feature, basically none of these companies invented these ideas, just copied it from somewhere else. BTW, I'm just waiting for them to put trophy support for MGS 4, now that would be awesome

  • kiblespoop

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 5:04 pm PT

    To everyone who is crying theft, riddle me this: What would happen if a revolution was never used in anything ever again?

  • van4546

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 1:39 pm PT

    I agree if there was special DLC or discounts for acheiving certain trophies it would be much more rewarding to the gamers.

  • stuffgamer1

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 1:29 pm PT

    No kidding, Toysoldier34. While I genuinely enjoyed Linger in Shadows, I know it wouldn't have sold a TENTH as many downloads as it did without being an easy source of Trophies. No matter what anybody says about Trophies being a rip-off or whatever, they do still help sell games. I think it's sad that companies releasing Greatest Hits titles didn't bother to patch in Trophies. It would've helped their sales, I'm sure. "Popular, best-selling game, now cheaper, with Trophies!"

  • DPhunkT posted Nov 26, 2008 11:19 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    DPhunkT

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 11:19 am PT (hide)

    If Sony enjoys stealing ideas from Microsoft, then they should steal the idea of good online gaming!

  • Yannick_18

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 9:48 am PT

    Hey Kleeyook .... I supposed you don't know what Sony really is man .... Sony "IS" the company who took the most risks by now so before saying Sony steal blablabla ..... Sony IS the one who create Compact Disc .... I suppose you don't know .... Betamax ... ring a bell ???! Blu-Ray...??? Well I hate people like you but before talking .... read the Sony History alright ?!

  • Kleeyook

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 6:22 am PT

    Sony doesn't steal idea about reward system! just copy which every companies do.

  • OBonus

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 12:15 am PT

    games that better have trophies: skate 2, killzone 2, and resident evil 5.

  • Toysoldier34

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 11:45 pm PT

    dont know why companies wouldnt cuz i know that just having the trophies alone can help sales. just look at lingure in shadows. i know it influenced me a bit

  • Blackbird34

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 10:09 pm PT

    Great idea Sony! I like it that they are taking initiative and making publishers put an award system in all games. Looks like trophy wh*ring is gonna get alot more competitive now LOL.

  • Izz_Tip-C

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 9:08 pm PT

    Sony is finally taking those little baby steps towards establishing itself as a serious contender in terms of giving gamers what they want. I've had my 360 for a couple years now and I have to admit I've had a blast watching my gamerscore get bigger and bigger. I bought my PS3 about a month ago and was seriously disappointed with the lack of titles with trophy support. I'm pretty sure that the games I bought and traded back in within these four weeks would still be spinning in the tray if they were trophy enabled. Now that they are going to be mandatory, I see myself playing my PS3 just as much if not more then my 360.

  • acsam12304

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 8:33 pm PT

    @ theneshen

    at this point who cares who steal what. might as well say MS steal the idea to make game from NT and Sony

  • akiwak

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 6:04 pm PT

    The games i do buy I play the hell out of them. I don't need the trophies but I do enjoy the icing on the cake that I will start to get for sure with all games that come out next year.

  • ninja_where

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 5:37 pm PT

    Sweet, more trophies.

    This is great news because now $60 will be worth something. I mean, what the hell are you thinking if you're gonna spend $60 on a PS3 game and only play it once and that's it? It's pretty darn stupid...but thanks to trophies, the replay value gets more worth. Besides, it's another thing to keep you busy while saving up more cash for another game. Only thing now is a worth for these trophies. Like say you get some really cool exclusive DLC or some sort...then these trophies will be a must.

  • Bladescorpion

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 5:34 pm PT

    any one remember when we use to play games for fun? Trophies brought us annoying, greedy kids.

  • danleeah

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 4:23 pm PT

    Give us some damn MGS4 trophies!!!!!!!!

  • van4546

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 3:34 pm PT

    This change would be worth it if trophies had a point to being on the system. Like.. maybe a reward system for playstation online like for so many trophies get a discount on downloadable content or something.

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