Ex-Producer Believes Achievements Negatively Impact Gears of War Multiplayer

A former Gears of War producer has confessed that certain achievements in the game negatively impacted the multiplayer experience. Gears of War is known for its challenging and time-consuming achievements that can influence how players approach the game.

Each installment of Gears of War features a "Seriously" achievement, considered one of the toughest achievements in gaming. These achievements require players to accomplish tasks like defeating 100,000 enemies, reaching level 100, earning every Onyx medal, or completing the campaign on Insane difficulty while meeting other demanding objectives. Despite the notorious difficulty of these achievements, they were not the ones highlighted by the former Gears of War developer.

Gears of War Developer Regrets Use of Weapon-Based Multiplayer Achievements

During an interview on the My Perfect Console podcast, Rod Fergusson, who oversaw achievements in various Gears games, admitted that certain weapon-based achievements, such as the original game's It's a Massacre, negatively impacted the multiplayer experience. It's a Massacre required players to chainsaw 100 enemies in ranked multiplayer, diverting their focus from the game's intended gameplay. Fergusson noted that achievements like this often caused frustration among teammates.

The franchise's first entry included many achievements similar to that one, such as killing 100 enemies in ranked matches with Gears of War's Hammer of Dawn, curb stomp, Longshot, Torque Bow, and more. Some players naturally completed these achievements over a few months, while others preferred to quickly progress through the game's achievements, causing an issue during matches.

Fergusson also mentioned that fans may have noticed a growing "maturity" in Gears' achievements as the series evolved. Subsequent games, like Gears of War 2, still had similar achievements but with lower kill requirements. Fergusson explained that these achievements can introduce fans to new mechanics or weapons, but there is a fine line between this and drastically altering the multiplayer experience. This issue may bring to mind Call of Duty's mastery camos, which faced a similar challenge.

In every Call of Duty game, there is a special mastery camo that fans can unlock by completing challenges with every gun. In the past, players had to do tasks like getting kills while prone or mounted, which changed how they played. But in Modern Warfare 3, the camo challenges are designed to be completed without drastically changing how most players normally play.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the potential negative consequences of certain achievement designs in multiplayer games. While achievements can add an extra layer of challenge and engagement, they should not come at the expense of the core gameplay experience. The former Gears of War producer's admission about weapon-based achievements is particularly insightful, as it demonstrates how achievements can incentivize players to prioritize individual goals over teamwork and strategic play.

It is crucial for game developers to strike a balance between rewarding players for their efforts and preserving the intended gameplay dynamics. Achievements should complement the game's mechanics and enhance the overall player experience, not create situations where players are forced to deviate from the optimal strategy to achieve a specific goal. By considering the potential impact of achievements on multiplayer environments, developers can create a more rewarding and enjoyable experience for all players.