I don't have a Steam account, but they should be just like Sony's Trophies or Microsoft's GamerScore system. I guess Blizzard has one now too, don't know what it's called, cheevos are all the rage these days:)

Which is fine, so long as they don't use them to replace solid gameplay, just extend it optionally. On PC, though, sometimes this can affect modding and the like.

So it´s just a ranking system or achievements actually add content to the game like new levels and other stuff?

Just a ranking system. A badge of honour on the website or something to show how compulsive or weird a player is etc.

They could be tied to events in the game that unlock extra things and all that, but only cause those are usually achievements of some kind anyway. No content by itself (other than giving completionists things to aim for).

Achievements should be...well, achievements. Something that is not easily achieved. I hate those that you get when you open a door or walk a straight line, damnit!

Edit. Ooh, a typo

Most Steam games have achievements that Steam made up for them. Some games have their own achievements as well as Steam's achievements.

Basically an achievement is an badge for accomplishing something in the game that isn't critical for completing the game.

Like an achievement could be "Finished level 2 without taking any damage."

They're good for two things:

1. To extend replayability - gives you an reason and goal to retry a part of the game you've already completed.

2. To show off to other people on Steam that look up other user's achievements.


This is not to be confused with Leaderboards which are recordings of other users' scores.
Leaderboards also ad another depth of challenge if you keep replaying the game to master it to the point to get high up on the score list.

It should also be noted that in Team Fortress 2 achievements also earn you weapons (three weapon unlocks per class obtained by achieving a set number of class achievements).

Though this is not absolutely necessary any more because of the random item drops and being able to buy them through the Mann Co. Store.

I can haz acheesements?

I've never cared for achievements. I've been playing Fallout 3 for the better part of my time lately and from time to time GFWL anounces I've reached some or another achievement. That hasn't brought any value to my gaming.

Achievements in Steam matter only to those who in life can claim none.

They can. If you buy the non-Steam version of Osmos, for example, you'll get achievements too. They will be incorporated in your save game.

Oh, and achievements don't add anything in the game, except that sometimes they extend your playtime and replayability.
Some bring up an interesting challenge, and social value. WoW's holiday achievements usually must be done in teams, so they kind of bring people together.

I'm talking about achievement whoring here. Not aiming to get one or two of the more fun ones. Or even getting all of the ones for you favourite game (so long as they're reasonable and not overly grindy).

There are people who aim to get achievements for the sake of it. Even buying easy games to rack up more. That's the problem. Not intentionally racking up a few along the way or even treating it as an excuse to replay a game you enjoyed.

Steam achievement only help to let other friends of yours know whic ones you've completed, so they're mostly for show only. Starcraft's achievments let you open up avatars for your profile at least.

They could (see: Arcen Games that are directly downloaded), but then that's kind of missing the point (which is: bragging rights).

Some people are obsessed with achievements to the point that they'd rather buy a steam version of a game if achievements are included vs a non-achievements version. Bragging to millions of anonymous people > drm-free or non client required versions to many.