For all your plinky plonky noise needs (xbox360achievements.org)

Member Name: Grummy

Product:	xbox360achievements.org
Date:	23/08/09 (16 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Expansive games list, thorough guides, friendly community.

Disadvantages: Can be difficult if you are a UK uer who wants to submit a guide due to game release time frames.

If you are a gamer who plays Xbox 360 undoubtedly you will be fully aware of the achievements system. However, for the purposes of being thorough, allow me a brief explanation of the achievements system.

On Xbox 360 achievements are added to every game as a way to track a gamers progress through the game. Each achievement is allocated a number of points (called Gamerscore, or GS for short) which is a cumulative points tally which is displayed on your profile when you are using Xbox Live (the Xbox 360's online gaming system and media hub). The number of achievements, when and how they are allocated and what GS is allocated to each achievement is up to the developer, however there are some restrictions. Number of achievements must not exceed 50 (except for in certain special cases) and total GS for all achievements in a game must be 1000 (earlier games did not have this as Microsoft brought out this rule somewhat later).

Developers are also allowed to release Downloadable Content (called DLC) for their games. this extra content can include achievements if required, but is not essential, however, if achievements are present, they too have rules by which to abide, the total GS for all DLC must average out at 250 per quarter (Jan-March, Apr-Jun etc).

Ok so to sum up, Achievements are a way to mark a player progress.
Each achievement is allocated a number of Gamerscore (this can be whatever the developer wants it to be).
Each game Must have a total of 1000 gamerscore worth of achievements on release.
Developers can release DLC for their games, achievements are optional but if added they must average out at 250 points per quarter.


Good, now we all know what achievements are again, what then, is xbox360achievements.org (also called x360a)?

Well, one of the side effects of the achievements system is that many players develop something of an obsession with earning every achievement they can. Whether they want to get every achievement on every game ever, or they're just stuck on a particular one and really want to find it, websites such as this provide the necessary aid.

Not official websites, sites such as x360a are run by regular people such as you and I, and they are community centric.

The website itself provides regular updates on new games coming out and the achievement lists for each game. When the game is released, then achievement guides which give details of how to earn each achievement and roadmaps which give details on the fastest way to earn all the achievements are added to each game. The guides and road maps are provided by the community and as such are not 'official' guides for games. Indeed the website has a policy of removing any guide put up that has been stripped from a games official guide book, this is to maintain vigilance on what is banned by copyright laws, but also to maintain the community centric feel.

The community is one of the friendliest around on the internet in terms of video game websites. Often, Videogame websites and communities can be confrontational and aggressive as many people who frequent them are very territorial and biased towards their opinions and preferred games. The community on x360a is inherently different, as the nature of the website and its forum is one of assisting others. The members who frequent the site and particularly its forums or of a mind to help each other out as everyone wants the same thing, to earn achievements, and this has bred a much more relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Yes there can be disagreements, but they are rare, and even then are rarely anything more than a small, quick scuffle.

The community is centred around the websites Forums, which are expansive to say the least. every single game released on Xbox 360 (including all US and Japan only games) has its own personal forum space, this also includes every Xbox Live Arcade game, and PC games under the Games for Windows Live Banner.

The forums are in place to allow members to discuss games and the achievements, and for individual members to display their guides and roadmaps. These are then submitted to the website team who check them thoroughly, and if they meet a set criteria, are then published to the main website.

It is a little unfair in its nature as often is the case that US will have games released ahead of UK meaning that When UK users finally get a game, a guide could already have been completed. This is not a huge issue on the scale of things, although it has been noted by those UK users who wanted to write their own guides for the benefit of the community.

The criteria set out by the web site team is quite thorough, essentially all guides must be a persons own work and must give clear and concise instructions on how to unlock an achievement, but it must also not skimp on the details, so it is often a balancing act between being concise and adding plenty of information. Ultimately what this boils down to is that the guides published on the main site are thorough and clear and extremely helpful.

Simply put, if you can't get enough of the plinky plonky noise that accompanies the unlocking of an achievement, and you want assistance unlocking more achievements, this is the only website for you.

Summary: If you need help with your achievements, go to this site. It's your best choice.