Posted 02/01/2007 @ 10:30:00 AM by Joseph Molnar Filed under: News Picks , Xbox 360

Microsoft Standardizes Gamerscore for Future XBox 360 Games

The Microsoft Gamerscore Blog has indicated there is a policy change for how publishers and developers implement Achievements. Microsoft now requires disc-based games to have 1000 Gamescore available independent of downloads and fees. An additional 250 can be made available via downloadable add-ons. Similarly, Xbox Live Arcade games can give 200 Gamerscore with another 50 available via downloads.

When I got a 360 a year ago I was surprised that downloads didn't offer additional achievements and I have reconsidered a few downloads due to this. In fact I was going to mention the lack of achievements in downloads in a future blog post.

So I personally love the updated policy and believe it is good for publishers and gamers.

I'm not an 'Achievement Whore', as they say, and I do not use my Gamerscore or Achievements to impress. However, due to Achievements I am more like to play a game longer and explore a game more thoroughly. I also use the Gamerscore as a measure for buying new games; I won't buy a game unless I believe I have the interest and time to earn a minimum of 500 Gamerscore.   

For publishers the policy change means people are more likely to buy downloads. For Microsoft it is another differentiation from its competitors. As for me, if Shivering Isles for Oblivion allows for an additional 250 Gamerscore, I will definitely be dusting off the Oblivion DVD, and downloading the expansion.