Summary
- Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer wants to improve Xbox achievements in the future.
- Xbox fans have long requested a "completed game" achievement and are looking for something similar to the Platinum Trophy.
- Microsoft could share a roadmap for achievements improvements to keep fans excited and show their commitment.
In a discussion about Microsoft's plan for innovation surrounding the Xbox platform, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer brought up achievements as an area in which the company is looking to improve. While Microsoft pioneered the idea of in-game achievements back on the Xbox 360, the company hasn't iterated much upon the original design. Meanwhile, Sony introduced its own trophy system, which has stolen a bit of Microsoft's thunder – so much so that Xbox discussed integrating its own Platinum Trophy.
The debate concerning which achievement system is superior is best left to the forums and comment sections, but Xbox fans have long called for a Platinum Trophy equivalent. Essentially, gamers desire a "completed game" achievement of some sort. The Platinum Trophy on PlayStation simply states that players collected every other trophy within the game, and Xbox fans are looking for something similar for achievements.
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In a lengthy interview with Windows Central, Spencer teased "a roadmap for improvements to Xbox achievements." The CEO mentioned this among other areas that the company is looking to innovate. Specifically, Spencer went on to state that Microsoft wants to share this "roadmap" with fans to "keep them excited" and let them know that Xbox is "committed to them," even as the brand grows. One of the ways he hopes to do that is through improvements to various services, such as achievements.
At the moment, it's unclear what this roadmap looks like, but it should be encouraging for fans of achievements to hear that conversations concerning improvements to the service are being had at Xbox. Of course, achievements aren't something every gamer cares about, but this is the sort of potential innovation that illustrates that Xbox is committed to all of its fans – even the niche and hardcore.
The larger interview touched on a number of topics such as the future of Game Pass as well as fans' demands for a new Banjo-Kazooie game. As the current year comes to a close, the discussion at large reads like a look toward 2024 and beyond. With Microsoft just completing the gaming industry's largest acquisition, perhaps Spencer feels the time is now to brief fans on what to expect from Xbox in the future.
This sentiment certainly fits with Xbox teasing big announcements for The Game Awards 2023. Specifically, Microsoft is promising announcements and news that fans "don't want to miss." It'd be a stretch to say that this has anything to do with achievements, but it does fit the narrative that Xbox is inviting its fans to look toward the future as it unveils at least some parts of the roadmap.
Microsoft Xbox Series X
- Brand
- Microsoft
- Dimensions
- 301 mm × 151 mm × 151 mm
- Weight
- 9.7 lbs
- 4K Capability
- Yes, Up to 120Hz
- Power Source
- AC Adapter
- Processing Power
- 12.16 TFLOPS (GPU)
The Xbox Series X boasts the fastest CPU and GPU configuration currently available for a current-generation console while offering 1TB of fast SSD storage for users out of the box.
It comes with an Xbox Series S|X controller, a power cord, and documentation along with a trial for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in the box.