Andrefpvs
Member
Edit 2: More confirmation that Platinum rules have only changed recently:
Edit: Some PlayStation developers have chimed in, and apparently things have changed and every game now has the option of having a full trophy set without needing approval from Sony. Some might choose not to due to certification concerns, extra development and testing, or simple ignorance of how the system works. Please read this post, this post, and this one as well. They have some good info!
So if a newly-released game doesn't have a Platinum, it's probably the game's stakeholders' fault (developers, publishers, etc.).
The post below (now partially outdated) still contains some good information about how the PSN Trophy system is inconsistent, so give it a read if you'd like! Just keep the information above in mind.
______________________
Original post:
An increasing trend that I've been noticing since the new generation started is that it's become harder for PSN games to maintain parity with Xbox/Steam games when it comes to achievements. This is mainly due to Sony's (frankly) outdated rule that states that smaller, digital games must have a smaller trophy list (with no Platinum trophy), and bigger, retail games get to have a full list with a Platinum. *
However, in recent years, the line between digital "PSN games" and retail "full games" has started to blur (in terms of value, content, gameplay hours offered, etc.).
Microsoft realised this in the 2nd half of the Xbox 360's lifetime, and doubled the amount of achievements Arcade games could have. With the introduction of the Xbox One, this distinction between games is no longer made, with every game counting as a "full game" (eligible for a full 1000 Gamerscore), regardless of how it is distributed.
Meanwhile, Sony has stuck to their initial rules, which has resulted in many oddities over the years, as well as games shipping with less system-level achievements than their Xbox counterparts (and Steam as well, sometimes). As someone who enjoys pursuing these meta-objectives in games I like, it's kind of a shame.
The most recent and obvious example of this is Mega Man Legacy Collection, whose achievement lists came out today:
Total: 24 achievements
Total: 13 trophies (with 9 of them being the lowest possible rank)
The trophies missing from the PS4 version are already present in the other two platforms, so this isn't a case of Digital Eclipse not putting in the work to create more trophies. There just wasn't any space for more on the PS4 version.
When a developer tries to have the same amount of trophies in both versions of the game, the following happens:
<-- Xbox One
<-- PS4
...the value of the trophies has to be spread out, so the result is that every trophy is worth a measly bronze. Meanwhile, the Xbox achievements are worth full value. To be honest, I don't really care about how many gold trophies I have, but it's kind of dumb that the hardest trophy in the game is worth as much as the easiest.
* Now, I know that Sony has made some concessions in the past. If a digital-only game can prove that its content rivals a full game's (or if the developer is pushy enough), then it can qualify for a full list and a Platinum. The problem is that this is subjective and introduces inconsistencies.
---EDIT---
People are asking how I know this. I'm not an insider, the above is based on circumstantial evidence and what some devs have said in the past, such as:
According to Chubigans (developer of Cook, Serve, Delicious! and certified PS4 dev), this is no longer the case:
---END EDIT---
For example, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes can take around 20 hours to fully complete. It has 15 trophies, but no Platinum:
Meanwhile, Trine 2, a game whose trophy list can take as little as 30 minutes to complete, has 13 trophies and was allowed a Platinum:
It doesn't make any sense.
(For another example of inconsistencies, look up The Walking Dead Season 1 and The Walking Dead Season 2. Both games are exactly the same in structure, but the way the trophy lists are made is completely different)
My suggestion is simple. Every newly-released game should be allowed a full trophy list (with a Platinum trophy), as long as the developer can program in the necessary amount of trophies (that's +/- 1000 trophy points). No ifs or buts. No more inconsistencies. Sure, this might lead to some easy Platinums, but this is something that many retail games are "guilty" of as well
and most digital games nowadays provide a fair amount of content. Most importantly, it would guarantee that developers don't have to cut trophies from the PlayStation version of their game, or make them all bronze.
And yes, I know this isn't the biggest of deals, but I thought it was something worth being discussed, for those interested.
TL;DR: PlayStation games are getting less trophies (or less valuable trophies) than other platforms because Sony has stuck to their antiquated PS3 rules. Most games nowadays are frankly eligible for a Platinum, and should have one.
If you don't care about trophies/achievements, know that I truly respect your opinion (I even partially agree), but please consider not participating in this thread. Or, at the very least, please try to contribute more than a simple "Who cares?"
Edit: Some PlayStation developers have chimed in, and apparently things have changed and every game now has the option of having a full trophy set without needing approval from Sony. Some might choose not to due to certification concerns, extra development and testing, or simple ignorance of how the system works. Please read this post, this post, and this one as well. They have some good info!
So if a newly-released game doesn't have a Platinum, it's probably the game's stakeholders' fault (developers, publishers, etc.).
The post below (now partially outdated) still contains some good information about how the PSN Trophy system is inconsistent, so give it a read if you'd like! Just keep the information above in mind.
______________________
Original post:
An increasing trend that I've been noticing since the new generation started is that it's become harder for PSN games to maintain parity with Xbox/Steam games when it comes to achievements. This is mainly due to Sony's (frankly) outdated rule that states that smaller, digital games must have a smaller trophy list (with no Platinum trophy), and bigger, retail games get to have a full list with a Platinum. *
However, in recent years, the line between digital "PSN games" and retail "full games" has started to blur (in terms of value, content, gameplay hours offered, etc.).
Microsoft realised this in the 2nd half of the Xbox 360's lifetime, and doubled the amount of achievements Arcade games could have. With the introduction of the Xbox One, this distinction between games is no longer made, with every game counting as a "full game" (eligible for a full 1000 Gamerscore), regardless of how it is distributed.
Meanwhile, Sony has stuck to their initial rules, which has resulted in many oddities over the years, as well as games shipping with less system-level achievements than their Xbox counterparts (and Steam as well, sometimes). As someone who enjoys pursuing these meta-objectives in games I like, it's kind of a shame.
The most recent and obvious example of this is Mega Man Legacy Collection, whose achievement lists came out today:
Total: 24 achievements
Total: 13 trophies (with 9 of them being the lowest possible rank)
The trophies missing from the PS4 version are already present in the other two platforms, so this isn't a case of Digital Eclipse not putting in the work to create more trophies. There just wasn't any space for more on the PS4 version.
When a developer tries to have the same amount of trophies in both versions of the game, the following happens:
...the value of the trophies has to be spread out, so the result is that every trophy is worth a measly bronze. Meanwhile, the Xbox achievements are worth full value. To be honest, I don't really care about how many gold trophies I have, but it's kind of dumb that the hardest trophy in the game is worth as much as the easiest.
* Now, I know that Sony has made some concessions in the past. If a digital-only game can prove that its content rivals a full game's (or if the developer is pushy enough), then it can qualify for a full list and a Platinum. The problem is that this is subjective and introduces inconsistencies.
---EDIT---
People are asking how I know this. I'm not an insider, the above is based on circumstantial evidence and what some devs have said in the past, such as:
http://www.futurlab.co.uk/velocity-2x-will-include-a-platinum-trophy.html
Velocity 2X will include a Platinum Trophy
by James @ FuturLab on January 30, 2014 in Game Design, PS Vita, PS4, Tease, Velocity 2X
In case there was any doubt, Velocity 2X will feature a Platinum Trophy, confirmed today by Sony. We haven’t thought of a name for it yet. Perhaps you could suggest one in the comments. Good luck trying to top ‘Show Thumb Respect’
Three cheers for Ben Andac for putting together its case within Sony, and a retrospective thanks to Lorenzo Grimaldi who managed to secure the Platinum for Velocity Ultra =)
They had to have people within Sony appeal for the Platinum.
According to Chubigans (developer of Cook, Serve, Delicious! and certified PS4 dev), this is no longer the case:
I do remember hearing about having to "fight" for your chance at a Platinum back in the day, but it's definitely not like that anymore.
---END EDIT---
For example, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes can take around 20 hours to fully complete. It has 15 trophies, but no Platinum:
Meanwhile, Trine 2, a game whose trophy list can take as little as 30 minutes to complete, has 13 trophies and was allowed a Platinum:
It doesn't make any sense.
(For another example of inconsistencies, look up The Walking Dead Season 1 and The Walking Dead Season 2. Both games are exactly the same in structure, but the way the trophy lists are made is completely different)
My suggestion is simple. Every newly-released game should be allowed a full trophy list (with a Platinum trophy), as long as the developer can program in the necessary amount of trophies (that's +/- 1000 trophy points). No ifs or buts. No more inconsistencies. Sure, this might lead to some easy Platinums, but this is something that many retail games are "guilty" of as well
(Hannah Montana)
And yes, I know this isn't the biggest of deals, but I thought it was something worth being discussed, for those interested.
TL;DR: PlayStation games are getting less trophies (or less valuable trophies) than other platforms because Sony has stuck to their antiquated PS3 rules. Most games nowadays are frankly eligible for a Platinum, and should have one.
If you don't care about trophies/achievements, know that I truly respect your opinion (I even partially agree), but please consider not participating in this thread. Or, at the very least, please try to contribute more than a simple "Who cares?"