Collectibles have been a staple in games for a long time, but it was really the first Assassin’s Creed in the last generation, with its flag finding, that had people hunting to collect things for no real reason other than completionism. Sure, Crackdown had its orbs before then – but at least collecting them actually had benefits; you powered up the more of those addictive orbs you collected.
And just about every game – especially the open world sort – are littered with all manner of things for you to go out and hunt. And mostly, they offer very little reward.and collectibles are just one of the things developers have thrown in to games in abundance to try and get you to play their games longer.
One of the newer trends is having animals available for skinning, or hunting challenges (Thanks Red Dead Redemption and Far Cry 3). The LEGO games will have you collecting and unlocking a plethora of characters .
The biggest, and most prolific hooks though are achievements and trophies, which are often tied up in the same collectible nonsense.
Me? I’ll play along and try do everything as long as its fun. Crackdown’s orb hunt had me pretty addicted, because it was genuinely fun trying to find all of those things, but as said, Assassin’s Creed’s Flag collection was duller than Darryn recounting his sex-life.
Tell us though; are you the OCD sort of person who strives for that 100% – or do those kinds of people need to find better things to do with their time?
Last Updated: April 11, 2014
Umar's Sin
April 11, 2014 at 10:34
I never got trophy hunting to be honest…Seeing the credits is enough for me. I used to complete games fully back in the days with games like Spyro and Crash Bandicoot. Now?…Meh. Not that much
ZombieDogma
April 11, 2014 at 10:36
I have 100% for every Assassin’s Creed games except for Liberation. If the gameplay (and stabbing things) is fun enough, then collecting is a good reason to carry on running around.
Rince Striving Abomination
April 11, 2014 at 10:38
I like finishing games at the very least but am not an avid trophy person (though I did 100% Far Cry 3, first time).
Umar's Sin
April 11, 2014 at 10:38
Vaas groupie
Rince Striving Abomination
April 11, 2014 at 10:50
YES! http://i.imgur.com/J2foitr.gif
TiMsTeR1033
April 11, 2014 at 11:06
serious! damn! you go um dude!
VampyreSquirrel
April 11, 2014 at 10:45
Only games I’m really a completionist on are the Assassin’s Creeds, GTA’s and Lego games. Beyond that not really, but I’ll push to see how many of the achievements I can get either way.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
April 11, 2014 at 10:46
Nope. Don’t really care for 100% completion with side quests etc.
The only game I tried that with was Batman Arkham city with the riddler stuff. Eventually gave up.
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 10:54
Mine was actually Batman Arkham Asylum. Those riddler trophies in city were too tedious for me to bother with.
Kensei Seraph
April 11, 2014 at 11:24
Same.
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 11, 2014 at 10:54
That stuff was fun to do. As long as it’s fun & I don’t really have to go out of my way to do it then I’ll probably give it a bash.
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 11, 2014 at 10:46
Not really. If it unlocks stuff like hunting did in FC3 then yes, otherwise I couldn’t really be arsed to run around for hours hunting down 100 flags stuck in obscure corners for a silly Noddy badge. If it’s time consuming & tedious then I won’t – like cards or weapon upgrades in FF8. All depends on how much I think it benefits me.
TiMsTeR1033
April 11, 2014 at 11:01
You got a LOT of games to start yet alone complete my friend. hehe
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 11, 2014 at 11:08
That is true.
TiMsTeR1033
April 11, 2014 at 11:09
I know your dirty little secret. lol
VampyreSquirrel
April 11, 2014 at 11:25
It’s no secret… it’s on Steam for ALL to see 😛
Kromas
April 11, 2014 at 10:47
Half Life and ME are the only games I can think of that I have completed every little thing.
Oh wait and Dragon Age.
Ultimo_Cleric N7
April 11, 2014 at 10:58
Bioware make it worth our while 🙂
Kromas
April 11, 2014 at 11:03
I love Bioware more than a belieber loves that girl.
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 11:10
I think he secretly loves a guy and is trying really hard to make people think otherwise.
Kromas
April 11, 2014 at 11:12
I heard he loves those people who help you to your seat. What the name again? Oh yeah … Usher 😛
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 11:12
LOL
derp
April 11, 2014 at 11:03
Totally.
The only thing that Bioware has done to annoy me in this area is make getting to level 60 in ME1 impossible without the DLCs. And yes, I killed everything on foot during the vehicle missions.
Kromas
April 11, 2014 at 11:08
Actually you can do it you just have to replay with an existing character.
derp
April 11, 2014 at 11:12
That doesn’t really represent the character growth that I equate with the levelling system. The game is meant to represent character growth.
Replaying the game with the same character kinda ruins it for me.
Kromas
April 11, 2014 at 11:19
Wellll … your statement did not mention that. You just said it was impossible to level to 60 without DLC. So technically I am still right although I do get your point but then again I usually have a few character lying around that I do not mind replaying if I feel like it.
derp
April 11, 2014 at 11:22
I understand. I guess I was assuming everyone had similar feelings about characters :D.
But the challenge was fun in itself. Killing all those Maws on foot…
Kromas
April 11, 2014 at 11:25
Finally! someone else who also enjoys killing Thresher Maws on foot!
High Five!
derp
April 11, 2014 at 11:31
( ^-^)?(^_^ )
Only problem is it kinda ruins Grunt’s loyalty mission in ME2, when they make a big fuss about killing on foot.
Kromas
April 11, 2014 at 11:34
Yeah I found it funny when Wrex commented that the last guy to kill a Thresher on foot was him. Lies! It was me Tali and Garrus!
Matthew Holliday
April 11, 2014 at 12:31
I disagree, multiple playthroughs felt like real progress in Mass Effect
derp
April 11, 2014 at 12:33
Multiple playthoughs with different characters makes ME worth it.
With the same character, not so much
Matthew Holliday
April 11, 2014 at 12:36
I dunno, I felt like Shepard could only be played one way, playing with different classes felt dishonest.
derp
April 11, 2014 at 12:39
For me, the different classes relate to different types of people…
If you only played as a male soldier, I would have to figuratively murder you :3
Matthew Holliday
April 11, 2014 at 12:47
Male vangaurd, Shepard leads from the front.
dylbobjohnjoe
April 13, 2014 at 17:27
Little rocket man achievement, half life 2, A full day of my life for that one.
Hondsepop
April 11, 2014 at 10:50
Used to be, till I started with Darksouls. Now I just run, duck and dive through the different areas.
El Capitan del Blade
April 11, 2014 at 10:50
Honeslty it depends on the game, Example: Saints Row The Third, I was compelled to 100% complete, and it was fun, Never got that from a GTA game….
Working on Stick of Truth 100% and enjoying it. Spec Ops The Line, brilliant game, loved it, but after completing the story, I saw no reason to go back in to hunt achievements….
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 10:53
Oh hell no. I finish a game if it’s good enough to be worth my time. But completing all the achievements is not something that happens often, if ever. I like running around like a loon and doing random stuff too much, especially in games like Fallout, Skyrim and Sleeping Dogs.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
April 11, 2014 at 10:53
I have platinumed a few games over the last few years, and while I wouldn’t say I’m a completionist, there have been games where I just had to get 100% for.
Sleeping Dogs, Saints Row 3 and 4 were perfect examples, with Far Cry 3 being another. I just loved the worlds and enviornments so much that it didn’t bother me to find every single scrap of hidden nonsense.
I do want to platinum Infamous 1 and 2 though (but at this stage I just don’t have time to sit down and play for days at a time)
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 10:55
I spent so many hours on Saints Row 3 and I didn’t even check my achievements list once. Just wanted to “jaag kak aan” all the time. Especially playing it co-op.
TiMsTeR1033
April 11, 2014 at 11:02
SR3 is sies
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 11:03
To be completely honest: I have it because I got it with Saints Row 2 and four other decent games on Humble Bundle way back for $6. Had no idea what is was before then and played 80% of the game co-op, which made it quite fun.
TiMsTeR1033
April 11, 2014 at 11:04
Well co-op would make it fun so I rest my case.
Umar's Sin
April 11, 2014 at 10:59
If the hidden nonsense was worth it, I would do it. Like in Final Fantasy X where you have to find Jecht Sphere and Al-Bhed primers. If it pertains to story or it’s interesting like Tomb Raider’s artifacts I’ll gladly hunt it down
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
April 11, 2014 at 11:01
Or in FF7 where you had to ‘unlock’ Vincent.
Umar's Sin
April 11, 2014 at 11:02
Hidden characters?? Man now that’s something I’ll hunt, so rare these days
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
April 11, 2014 at 11:18
Yeah, I miss hidden characters. Now they nickel and dime you by saying “they’re DLC addons”. :*(
Milesh Bhana
April 11, 2014 at 10:56
definitely not a completionist. There are just too many games to play so when i finish the main story (perhaps a few side quests and collectibles), I’m too excited about the next game on the pile to give a crap about the extras.
hardly even get DLC these days because i want to play everything!
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 10:58
I think my large Steam library has also contributed to this. Usually I’d go for the 100% completion because I only had that game for the time and it kept me busy. But now I can just move on to another game when I’m done.
Matthew Holliday
April 11, 2014 at 12:25
always wonder how people have too many games to play.
Am i just picky with the games i play or do i spend way too much time playing games?
Grimthwacker
April 11, 2014 at 10:58
The only game that I felt I HAD to get all trophies was Demon Souls. It was just such a damn good game. Otherwise not really interested in getting all the collectibles and trophies. (Especially if they are online types of trophies). Unless…. the collectible shards or whatever allows you to upgrade weapons,abilities, etc. Then I will hunt them down.
Hammersteyn
April 11, 2014 at 10:58
I would be if SP games didn’t require some achievements to be done through multiplayer.
Ultimo_Cleric N7
April 11, 2014 at 10:58
I am a completionist, I must do everything and see EVERY part of a game. I will exclude trophy hunting in this because in my opinion that is very different to being a completionist.
Its all because of the story of a game. If the story is good, I MUST KNOW EVERYTHING.
This is probably why I am staying away from WoW. That and the monthly charges. 🙂
VampyreSquirrel
April 11, 2014 at 11:28
The achievements in WoW are just WOW… so many of them… by the end of Cataclysm I had 40% of them… thanks to Mists I was down to 25%, apparently only got 831/2057 WoW achievements
TiMsTeR1033
April 11, 2014 at 10:59
I personally am not a completionist as to say, but @illuchnemancera:disqus sure is. lol
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 10:59
Tim! My friend! You have returned!
TiMsTeR1033
April 11, 2014 at 11:00
For now, lol been a hell of a week!
VampyreSquirrel
April 11, 2014 at 11:21
Name dropping? Really? lmao
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 11:27
Hahaha
He just does it because he admires how humble you are.
VampyreSquirrel
April 11, 2014 at 12:11
lol!
Admiral Chief in Space
April 11, 2014 at 11:01
I try, I really do try
TiMsTeR1033
April 11, 2014 at 11:03
I believe you, you seem like the type to try and complete all worthy achievements.
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 11:04
His wife must be so lucky. 😉
TiMsTeR1033
April 11, 2014 at 11:05
haha! and so happy!
derp
April 11, 2014 at 11:08
I do agree with the author somewhat.
If the completion is arbitrary, pointless and just plain boring, I don’t bother.
But when it adds some value…Hell yeah :3
MakeItLegal
April 11, 2014 at 11:08
I used to try ( mgs ) had for a long time , but I have less an less time for gaming , so when I game I really just wana game for fun and not think to much … If I won the lotto Tommorow I would go back and complete a large amount of games …
KingKappie
April 11, 2014 at 11:08
This FFD is just a cry for comments to be Batman
VampyreSquirrel
April 11, 2014 at 11:23
FFD doesn’t (or shouldn’t) count towards Batman… to my knowledge at least.
Kensei Seraph
April 11, 2014 at 11:09
The only game I’ve actively tried to get 100% for was Arkham Asylum’s story mode.
Other than that I’ll try to unlock all the class/race/ship options for the game.
Currently I’m trying to get the Steakth Cruiser for FTL.
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 11:09
The Steakth Cruiser. Silent and tasty!
Unavengedavo
April 11, 2014 at 11:13
Assassin’s Creed’s Flag collection was duller than Darryn recounting his sex-life.
Now this tweet makes sense O_o
https://twitter.com/Darrangedd/status/454200630119501824
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
April 11, 2014 at 11:19
WOW!
Norm the Horrible
April 11, 2014 at 11:15
Well, I tried to collect all the riddler clues & that other jazz in Arkham Asylum.
Brady miaau
April 11, 2014 at 12:50
yeah, me too. For about five minutes. What a drag.
Devourer of Small Bunnies
April 11, 2014 at 11:21
Not one bit. I couldnt be bothered. My games are there for enjoyment and entertainment, giving them anymore complexity than that would ruin my personal experience. Thats nto to say there arent game I enjoy capping the achievements list, ie Burnout or NFS’s billboard runs, or strange kills in Bulletstorm or Borderlands. But every single game? All the time? Naw, thats way too tiring.
OminousRain
April 11, 2014 at 11:25
I want to say yes. I feel like I need to get 100%. Get all achievements, see, do everything. Then my procrastination kicks in…. and I don’t do all those things 🙂
Mossel
April 11, 2014 at 11:27
I nearly fully completed Bioshock Infinite. But mostly yes, I do like getting at least 50% for a game. Preferably around the 70% mark.
Mossel
April 11, 2014 at 11:32
Now that I think about it, I dont always like to get all the achievements, but I like to completely finish a level before I move on to the next part. It becomes problamatic in games like Borderlands where the sidequest almost never end. I think my reason for this in rpgs is that I dont want my character to be weak in the next part of the game.
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 11:33
I do the same in RPG’s.I tend to spend so much time doing side quests that when I do eventually get back to the main my character is a beast.
Matthew Holliday
April 11, 2014 at 12:19
pretty much the same, if i dont, i be like “oh shit, but what about that loot? what if that 1% drop chance item drops in an area i didnt clear yet?! my cash dropped to under 100 billion, i may run out of money soon, what if i need ammo, i need to sell that item? OH SHIT WHAT DO I DO?”
Mossel
April 11, 2014 at 12:25
haha just like that! And then people ask me why I take so long with games. Or when you are busy doing a main quest and you come across a cave or two on the way… It is scientifically proven that I MUST go into the cave otherwise I will always wonder about the one that got away. The one where, like you said, that 1% drop chance item is.
Matthew Holliday
April 11, 2014 at 12:28
i just ask myself, what would Shepard do?
HvR
April 11, 2014 at 11:45
I prefer it when the colectibles add something like a bit of backstory.
Liked the FC3 letters but it got ruined by the the Cali surfer dude playing with his pair of grenades and his monkey.
Hermann Schwindt
April 11, 2014 at 11:55
Unfortunately I am a completionist. I have made peace with the fact as it is part of my personality and I definitely have perfectionist tendencies. I can definitely play a lot more games if I didnt play a game to 100%.
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 12:03
I wish I had your patience. I’m really bad when it comes to this. If I get frustrated with a certain achievement that I can’t get (that doesn’t form part of the main story or quest), I just move on.
Hermann Schwindt
April 11, 2014 at 12:17
You make it sound glamorous. 🙂 But In certain instances Im glad I persevered. Like Batman challenges, once you stop button mashing, the fights become insanely fun.
Jedi JJ
April 11, 2014 at 14:21
The one game where I really tried to get everything was actually Arkham Asylum.
Rince Striving Abomination
April 11, 2014 at 12:48
Don’t tell your girlfriend that 0-O
Rags
April 11, 2014 at 12:02
Nope. Achievements are gimmicks.
Matthew Holliday
April 11, 2014 at 12:17
I complete all the side missions and main missions, but I dont go for the achievements.
unless theres a specific bonus im looking for.
hairyknees
April 11, 2014 at 13:19
No. 😛
RedRover
April 11, 2014 at 13:26
I am not usually a completionist. But Borderlands 2 had me by the balls. 68 of 69 achievements. I never did the one with the Zero. The thought of levelling up a 4th character was to much. 😛
JustAnotherGamer
April 11, 2014 at 14:46
No, achievements are for morons. I just play the game, finish it and then trade it in for another. I don’t care about achievements.
Gustav Willem Diedericks
April 11, 2014 at 15:38
I’m with you on the fun factor, Geoff. If it’s fun I’ll try and complete everything (like with Farcry 3), otherwise I just leave it by the wayside and not care. I used to have OCD completion when I was a bit younger, but due to the fact that games aren’t as fun as they used to be and the fact that getting older makes you just not care about unimportant things, this has changed in me.
CAE9872
April 11, 2014 at 18:24
I would have to say I was. Am I an achievement/trophy whore…to some extent yes. I use them as a guide to finishing games.
HOWEVER, I have made peace with myself on this. In theory 100% is the ultimate goal but to do that would take hours upon hours on certain games. So I have changed my habit. If I can attain 80% of the achievements/trophies/personal challenges (for older games) then I am satisfied that I have played the game enough and can move on.
At LAST I can actually play my games without feeling “guilty” that I haven’t got the most from them.
So to answer I will say yes to a large degree.
EDIT: Why 80% – easy. I am an auditor and we work on the 80:20 rule 🙂