Steam Achievement Hunters Deserve Better!

[Ciocolici]

EDIT: I understand that not everybody cares about achievements, and feel that my wishlist would interfere with their experience, but that is not why I wrote this. Sorry if my tone or way of writing mislead you. I have recreated this post better structured, with my thought and suggestions for the Steam Achievements System. If interested, you can check it here: LINK
Thanks!

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I still remember the effort and dedication I put into unlocking all 167 CS:GO achievements, only to have them wiped out overnight with the launch of CS2. So much progress... gone in an instant. That, for me, was the biggest slap from Valve. To take away so much hard work without warning or compensation shows just how little Valve cares about achievements and the players who truly value them. The community cried out for weeks, demanding answers, but like always, the outrage faded, forgotten, while Valve stayed silent.

When compared to PlayStation or Xbox, Steam’s achievement hunting community is suffering. We are missing so much, and it pains me to see how neglected achievements are on this platform. There is so much potential here, but Valve refuses to acknowledge it. There is a goldmine here, and it would take so little effort for Steam to improve achievements and make them as meaningful and competitive as PlayStation Trophies.

It’s 2025! Steam represents PC gaming. And PC gaming deserves a system that lets us compete with PlayStation’s trophy hunters. We deserve better.

This is my personal wishlist, but I know many others feel the same way.

1. A Point System for Achievements

Make every achievement count by assigning points. PlayStation and Xbox both have point-based progression, why is Steam the only one missing this?

2. A “Platinum” Achievement for 100% Completion

Like PlayStation’s Platinum Trophy, reward players with a special achievement when they collect all main game achievements.

3. Rewards for Achievement Hunters

Steam Points for the already existent Steam Points Shop, it is so fitting!Badges, profile rewards, trading cards, something to make our work feel rewarding. Even an Xbox-style Gamescore could work.

4. Account Progression & Recognition

A visible ranking system tied to achievements, not just a profile showcase. Let us see how we compare to others in meaningful ways.

5. Official Leaderboards, Not Just Third-Party Solutions

Steam Hunters, AStats, and Completionist exist for a reason, because Steam itself has NO leaderboards. We need a real, built-in leaderboard, one that shows the top achievement hunters directly on Steam.

6. Compare Achievements with Friends..Easily

Let us compare achievement progress directly on the game page. Show completion rates side by side, so we can challenge each other.

7. Separate Main Game Achievements from DLCs

Completionists shouldn’t lose 100% progress just because new DLC drops. Keep DLC optional, so full-game completion actually means something.

8. Fix the SAM & Achievement Spam Game Problem

SAM ruins achievement integrity. “Spam achievement games” (those designed just to unlock achievements instantly just for the sake of it) make the system worthless. Until this is addressed, Steam achievements will never be taken seriously.

I dream of the day I no longer envy the PlayStation Trophy Community. I love PC gaming. I love Steam. But every time I look at PlayStation’s Trophy system, I feel jealous, because it actually respects completionists.

Let me hear your thoughts. Show Steam that the PC community actually cares about achievements!

[Leonardo Da Pinchi]

Originally posted by Nx Machina:

Originally posted by Leonardo Da Pinchi:

Now, there could be a very good reason such as account linking or loading up a save file that was 100% prior to achievements existing.

I just thought it was a neat thing of note. Kermitsippingtea.jpg

But when you talk about integrity.....

I mean cheating achievements isn't difficult in consoles either. I used to do it all the time on the 360 and ps3

[Ciocolici]

Originally posted by Nx Machina:

Originally posted by Leonardo Da Pinchi:

Would you look at that....17 minutes total in ME3 but all the achievements..

Surely not when one of the points is:

Originally posted by Ciocolici:

8. Fix the SAM & Achievement Spam Game Problem

SAM ruins achievement integrity.

Oh! Wait your correct ME3 all unlocked 31 Jan @ 1.17pm.

Check my review of the game and do some research before pointing fingers and making assumptions.
I didn’t want to respond to you, but I had to because you just accused me of cheating, without even using a bit of common sense. Did it ever occur to you that I might have owned the game on the EA App before buying it on Steam?

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:

Originally posted by Leonardo Da Pinchi:

Would you look at that....17 minutes total in ME3 but all the achievements..

The other achievements including a few unlocked at the same time wouldn't be possible in something like Zombie Army Trilogy due to how the game works, where the items are, how they're collected etc. Noticed other things but you get the idea.

Please be specific when accusing someone of something. Thank you.

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It’s ridiculous how much negativity one gets for giving feedback or expressing a wish, just because it’s not something others want. But hey, it’s your right to share your opinion, so go ahead. Personally, I don’t see why it would be a problem for people who don’t care about achievements if (at least some of) the things I want were implemented. But of course, if you don’t like it, then nobody should have it, right?

[Nx Machina]

Originally posted by Leonardo Da Pinchi:

I mean cheating achievements isn't difficult in consoles either. I used to do it all the time on the 360 and ps3

True but when the OP talks about integrity then also displays it on their completionist showcase.

[Nx Machina]

Originally posted by Ciocolici:

Check my review of the game and do some research before pointing fingers and making assumptions.

Was i the first one to point that out? Lets check. Nope: Post #11.

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/10/592889567447690609/#c592889669725743970

You did not play it on Steam, well only 17 minutes, so yes cheating could apply after all you proudly display it on your Steam Completionist Showcase, which breaks your integrity point about Steam Achievements, having not actually played it to completion on Steam.

Would you like to answer my post you chose to skip?

Originally posted by Nx Machina:

If Playstation and Xbox is superior can you explain why games get abandoned on console?

[Ciocolici]

Originally posted by Nx Machina:

Originally posted by Ciocolici:

Check my review of the game and do some research before pointing fingers and making assumptions.

Was i the first one to point it out? Lets check. Nope: Post #11.

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/10/592889567447690609/#c592889669725743970

You're funny. What you're doing right now is just pointing fingers for fun. I’ll answer you, though,because why not? But don’t expect another response.

Yes, you’re not the first, but you’re both in the quote. So just because you’re not the first, does that make it okay to point fingers without doing any research or making sure you're right before accusing someone of using SAM?

Originally posted by Nx Machina:

You did not play it on Steam, well only 17 minutes, so yes cheating could apply after all you proudly display it on your Steam Completionist Showcase, which breaks your integrity about Steam Achievements, having not actually played it to completion on Steam.

What am I supposed to do? Should I contact EA and ask them to remove my achievements on the EA App because they transfer to Steam? Oh, and what about the Assassin’s Creed games that had achievements implemented just last weeks? Should I contact Ubisoft too?

I spent over 100 hours completing the game on the EA App, which is linked to Steam. If that counts as cheating to you, then everything makes sense.

Originally posted by Nx Machina:

Would you also like to answer my post you chose to skip.

Originally posted by Nx Machina:

If Playstation and Xbox is superior can you explain why games get abandoned on console?

What does this have to do with you accusing me of using SAM/cheating just for fun? I don’t even know how to respond to your question, I don’t even know what you’re trying to ask.

I said the Xbox and PlayStation achievement systems are superior, not the consoles themselves. What do you even mean by the game getting abandoned?

Again, don’t expect me to reply to you again.

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by Ciocolici:

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:

The other achievements including a few unlocked at the same time wouldn't be possible in something like Zombie Army Trilogy due to how the game works, where the items are, how they're collected etc. Noticed other things but you get the idea.

Please be specific when accusing someone of something. Thank you.

Let's be honest here, with even one obvious use of the tool, it invalidates completionist entirely.

ME3 @ 17mins with everything unlocked at the same date and time which confirms other entries aren't likely legit.
The only completionist runs that matter are ones that sam/3rd party apps can't unlock.

Originally posted by Ciocolici:

It’s ridiculous how much negativity one gets for giving feedback or expressing a wish, just because it’s not something others want. But hey, it’s your right to share your opinion, so go ahead. Personally, I don’t see why it would be a problem for people who don’t care about achievements if (at least some of) the things I want were implemented. But of course, if you don’t like it, then nobody should have it, right?

Well if we're going to give extras/benefits for achievements, the absolute least is that 3rd party tools can't unlock anything and even trying to use them would result in being banned from the games achievement unlocks (for leaderboards, benefits from achievement sort of games) preventing a player from illegitimate entries or trying to get the suggested benefits by idling, waiting minutes here there, unlocking etc. Your #8 entry even suggests removing 3rd parties from affecting anything.

Moreover though, Devs don't really care about achievement hunting, nor does most of the community, and the achievement hunting community can also create their own game where all mechanics revolve around achievement hunting.

[Leonardo Da Pinchi]

Like I said, OP COULD have just loaded up a completed save that was completed prior to achievements being a thing.

But afaik, buying a game on one platform, then again on Steam...you would have two different game keys (Steam's then EA's), thus two different "saves". Since afaik, you can't import games to Steam.

[Nx Machina]

Originally posted by Ciocolici:

You're funny. What you're doing right now is just pointing fingers for fun. I’ll answer you, though—because why not? But don’t expect another response.

Yes, you’re not the first, but you’re both in the quote. So just because you’re not the first, does that make it okay to point fingers without doing any research or making sure you're right before accusing someone of using SAM?

But you did not quote the person who actually pointed it out first in post #11. Your post was directed at me after all i was the one you quoted.

Did i state you had used SAM directly? No.

Originally posted by Ciocolici:

What am I supposed to do? Should I contact EA and ask them to remove my achievements on the EA App because they transfer to Steam? Oh, and what about the Assassin’s Creed games that had achievements implemented just last weeks? Should I contact Ubisoft too?

Remove it from your Steam Completionist Showcase as you did not play it on Steam to completion especially when integrity of Steam Achievements is one of the points you raised so you should restore that integrity you see as important.

Originally posted by Ciocolici:

What does this have to do with you accusing me of using SAM/cheating just for fun? I don’t even know how to respond to your question—I don’t even know what you’re trying to ask.

Did i state you used SAM directly? No.

Originally posted by Ciocolici:

I said the Xbox and PlayStation achievement systems are superior, not the consoles themselves. What do you even mean by the game getting abandoned?

Again, don’t expect me to reply to you again.

Did i state anything about consoles? No.

Your opening post is about raising Steam achievements up to the level of consoles therefore you deem that will encourage people to complete games on Steam.

That system you deem superior on console has not stopped games being abandoned, has it? No, therefore trophies on console has the same value as achievements on Steam, pointless if games are abandoned.

Ironically when people mention trophies on console there is always the caveat of: every trophy on console is legit, yet we all know that you can pass your controller to a friend who is the one who pops that trophy or trophies, so trophies can be cheated on console and that is just one example.

The biggest irony is you want rewarding with Steam points.

3. Rewards for Achievement Hunters

Steam Points for the already existent Steam Points Shop, it is so fitting!Badges, profile rewards, trading cards, something to make our work feel rewarding. Even an Xbox-style Gamescore could work.

If you are achievement hunter the reward is getting the achievements but there is always a give me freebies clause.

[Ciocolici]

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:

Originally posted by Ciocolici:

Please be specific when accusing someone of something. Thank you.

Let's be honest here, with even one obvious use of the tool, it invalidates completionist entirely.

ME3 @ 17mins with everything unlocked at the same date and time which confirms other entries aren't likely legit.
The only completionist runs that matter are ones that sam/3rd party apps can't unlock.

My friend, you accused me of cheating in Zombie Army Trilogy, and I quote: "Noticed other things, but you get the idea." That is where I want you to be specific. Don’t change the subject. Be a man, show me where I cheat.

As for ME3 and its 17 minutes, I’ll ask you the same thing I asked the other person: Should I contact EA and tell them not to transfer the achievements to Steam? That’s ridiculous. If I already completed the game on the EA App, which is linked to Steam, and then the game gets launched on Steam later, what am I supposed to do? NOT buy it on Steam to avoid having the achievements show up because they unlock legitimately due to my previous progress?

The EA App is part of the game. Should I create a brand-new EA App account just for you?

I have games like Sundered, which I fully completed on Epic. I later bought the game on Steam because I wanted to, and I used my old save file to continue where I left off. The achievements popped up automatically. Does that mean I cheated?

Originally posted by Mad Scientist:

Moreover though, Devs don't really care about achievement hunting, nor does most of the community, and the achievement hunting community can also create their own game where all mechanics revolve around achievement hunting.

So if what you’re saying is true, does that mean we, whoever we is, shouldn’t wish for a better achievement system? Points, or any of the other improvements I mentioned in my wishlist?

[cinedine]

Originally posted by Ciocolici:

I dream of the day I no longer envy the PlayStation Trophy Community. I love PC gaming. I love Steam. But every time I look at PlayStation’s Trophy system, I feel jealous, because it actually respects completionists.

It doesn't.
I am saying that as an avid trophy hunter.

You lose your "precious" just as well when a DLC or patch adds trophies (same on LIVE btw). The only difference is that you can display subcategories for yourself and have there see a 100 % bar and a bunch of 0 %. When you compare to firends you only see the overall percentage. On trophy trackers you only see the overall percentage unless looking at the detailed list.
If that small layer is all it takes to make you feel better, why can't you be satisfied with simply knowing you got a 100 % earlier?

We don't have any rewards for getting trophies either. You could opt into PlayStation Stars and sometimes do some tasks requiring to earn trophies to get a few cashback points, but that's it. And the ones I have seen are not retro-actively unlocked.
On Steam on the other hand you have the odd game that grants you some goodies for getting achievements - most notably Teaam Fortress 2 and Poker Night at the Inventory 2, the later still being coveted for it. All I remember on PSN was a Final Fantasy game giving you a wallpaper for platinum it and Infamous 2 giving you a few in-game ressources if you got the collectible trophies in inFamous 1. So the technology is/was there for both. It's more like the studios don't give a ♥♥♥♥ about it.

There are also no official leaderboards. That's why sites like psntrophyleaders or psnprofiles exist. An official leaderboard would just be flooded with cheaters and EZPZ anyway. Like ... the leaderboards on Steam that game studios can already create.

Platinums are ... well, I don't quite get them. Yeah you get a sense of acknowledgement for completing the base game. But as said before, that doesn't correlate to the 100 % once DLC or patches drop new trophies. Also not all games have platinums ...

... but a lot of them do. Far too many to be frank. There are a lot of quick and low player-effort platinums available. And then there is a whole bunch of low developer-effort games meant to boost your plat count as well. All the Jumping <some food item> games for example. So yeah, PSN has a trophy dropper problem as well. And they are not really interested in reigning it in anymore. Steam at least did something with limiting the number of achievements overall and limiting profile features.

PSN also has a cheater problem. It's beyond me why some people say it doesn't. It's not as easy as on PS3 anymore, or as easy as on Steam, but not impossible either. Also on PS5 you have 1-second platinums when you have completed the PS4 list. Or it's server-side stored progression and you can just share accounts.

Lastly one thing that Steam does undeniably better:
On PSN and LIVE you are stuck with impossible achievements in your list. On Steam the studios at least have the possibility to delete the achievement if they cannot make them work

[RIVETRAYZA]

I never thought that I would find someone in the discussion who thinks exactly like me! Yes, I know people say achievement hunting is very niche, and most gamers don't care. But those who care, care a little too deeply. Yes, it hurts when I see the PS trophy-hunting community because it is very integrated and worth the effort. SAM ruins this experience. All the points that you mentioned are exactly what I want. I have high doubts, that Valve will ever try to fix this but anyway, always appreciate someone of exactly similar opinions. Added ya! Happy Achievement Hunting friend! ^^

[Lar Dass]

Due to external software like SAM they just wont add anything like this HOWEVER, i think they should group achievements, i.e a base game and its achievements all done should give you a 100%, regardless of any dlc achievement you may or may not have done, another is grouping them based off online components, many games arent viable to 100% due to connecting to some kimda server or a dead online mode, if only the singeplayer achievements counted more people would go for them

[Start_Running]

Originally posted by Lar Dass:

Due to external software like SAM they just wont add anything like this HOWEVER, i think they should group achievements, i.e a base game and its achievements all done should give you a 100%, regardless of any dlc achievement you may or may not have done, another is grouping them based off online components, many games arent viable to 100% due to connecting to some kimda server or a dead online mode, if only the singeplayer achievements counted more people would go for them

SAM really has nothing to do with it. A game can be 100% sam proof if the dev pubs care enough to take the time.

[Lar Dass]

Originally posted by Start_Running:

Originally posted by Lar Dass:

Due to external software like SAM they just wont add anything like this HOWEVER, i think they should group achievements, i.e a base game and its achievements all done should give you a 100%, regardless of any dlc achievement you may or may not have done, another is grouping them based off online components, many games arent viable to 100% due to connecting to some kimda server or a dead online mode, if only the singeplayer achievements counted more people would go for them

SAM really has nothing to do with it. A game can be 100% sam proof if the dev pubs care enough to take the time.

What games currently exist that are SAM-proof? I dont think there are any. Obvious answer to "SAM-proof" games is for the game itself to have achievements ingame, and steam somehow uses that as a gauge

[Ben Lubar]

Originally posted by Lar Dass:

Originally posted by Start_Running:

SAM really has nothing to do with it. A game can be 100% sam proof if the dev pubs care enough to take the time.

What games currently exist that are SAM-proof? I dont think there are any. Obvious answer to "SAM-proof" games is for the game itself to have achievements ingame, and steam somehow uses that as a gauge

In order for a game to be "SAM-proof", the game must disallow every achievement from being earned by the player directly and instead have a server run by the developers that grants the achievements. Importantly, this just moves the target for where the fake achievement earned message needs to be sent to, so in addition to granting achievements, the server must also process all gameplay state required to see whether an achievement is being earned.

This is a lot of expensive infrastructure to solve what is basically a non-problem, so I'd be surprised if many or even any games do it.