Sometimes, being in line at a store that is playing some jamming music can give me an idea. Especially at a grocery store. Looking at customers as they run from aisle to aisle, collecting products on their list, on their phones trying to figure what brand name of the sauce they need for dinner, and other various task they are doing–it almost seems like gaming to me. As I see it, it feels like getting a Platinum or 100% Achievement. While all of this is going on, employees, kids, spills, and other things are being avoided.
Looking at some of my friends list of trophies and achievements, I’m able to see what they lean toward and which ones they avoid. Now, I know they have a reason why some games that are on their list have full completion and others maybe one or two rewards. A lot of it has to deal with how obtainable these task feel. Others, though, are full on “Not Happening”.
See, with the goal of full completion of a game, you have to meet the requirements for example, passing a level or calling in another player. Once its unlocked, you can move on to the other goals the game can reward you with. This is to give the player a reason to stay with the game, for replay value, or just to add some showmanship of the skill of a player.
This though comes with many hurdles, and it’s why some genre of games are purely not in the wheelhouse of Platinum and Achievement. If the gameplay is more accessible, engaging, and to put it nicely, continuous, players tend to stick with those titles. Certain games can have borrowed elements but that is the only extent they will accept.
Yes, gamers will avoid anything that takes a lot of reading, cut-scenes, management, and at times, redundancy. You may think this only applies to Role Playing Games and Tactical games, but it goes deeper than that. This fits fighters, stylish actions games, puzzle games, and even some walking simulators. A lot of these genres are avoided because of the mechanics and comprehension it takes to memorize or give purpose on why people are playing the game in the first place.
It’s ok if you want to play a Bloodborne for a trophy and achievement. If you love to see it all the way through for that 100% of completion, go for it. The pure avoidance of DmC: Devil May Cry for example, makes the missed experience and new skill level of playing, surprising to others. Not every genre of games are for everyone, but when I see that my friends lists have games completed that feel all the same and there aren’t various genres fully finished, I begin to wonder why.
For my completionists out there, I would love to see you tackle some different genres to platinum or achieve. I do my best to get 100% in games also; and although I play a lot and it may take me awhile, I try not to avoid the games that some constantly avoid. I love learning new game skills and improving myself in games. Avoidance to me, hinders that education and affects me exploring worlds and fiction I may love. I think if you can 100% a certain type of game in that one particular genre, what could it hurt if you step out and do it for something else you wouldn’t expect. Just like a grocery store with jamming music, you may love what you hear while shopping, but you shouldn’t avoid the new experiences that can shape you.
Tell us what you think. Are you a completionist? Do you avoid games of a certain genre? How important is it to play a variety of games? Share your reactions in the comments below.
