PlayStation Trophy Theory: That First Bronze Trophy

I remember my first PlayStation trophy. October 12th, 2008, at 4:17 PM, I earned a bronze trophy called Sigil of Time in Linger in Shadows. It was more of an interactive piece of art than a game, but it was one of the few things that had trophies after the PS3 update 2.40 that brought trophy support to limited games. Beginning in 2009, all newly certified games would be required to have trophy support, but that first six months or so didn’t leave a lot of options for earning trophies. Yes, I know that Trophies were added in July of 2008, but during those first few months I was recovering from a motorcycle accident, so my first taste didn’t come until later that year.

It’s weird to think that was over eight years ago now. Linger in Shadows developer Plastic went on to create the Move title Datura in 2012 and Bound just last year. And I went on to get 11,651 more trophies, and counting. By the time you read this I’ll probably have logged more than that. According to PSNProfiles, I’m averaging 3.86 trophies per day since that first bronze.

My latest? Platinum number 160. Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, which has been a long time coming since I reviewed it back in 2015. Obviously my affinity for trophies puts me in a particular position, equipped to bring you a unique view on the the world of PlayStation Trophies. Welcome to the newest PSLS feature delving into everything trophies: Trophy Theory.

Trophy Theory Syllabus

Trophy Theory isn’t a feature to be pigeonholed into singular subjects. It won’t just be about trophy guides or bragging about the latest earns. It won’t only be lists of hilarious trophy names or obnoxiously difficult to obtain bronzes. It will go deeper into trophies, asking some unique questions about this massive facet of gaming that hides just under the surface of every game we PlayStation gamers play. I will explore the psychology of that addiction and obsession with trophies, or the reason that we’re so willing to grind tens of hours for one trophy, but won’t replay a five hour game for another.

We’ll also be talking to industry professionals about their takes on trophies, how they develop their lists of accomplishments, and maybe someday we’ll even get word from Sony themselves about the system that was designed to compete with Xbox Achievements. I’ll also be doing livestreams of runs for certain trophies and road to Platinums as I continue to pursue each game’s highest honor. Like I said, Trophy Theory will be about everything PlayStation Trophies from a games writer with a particular fixation on these digital collectibles.

I’ve always wanted to bring this perspective to my writing. In fact, one of the first features that I ever wrote after starting with PlayStation LifeStyle was about chasing high-scores, and how trophies and in-game accomplishments are just another form of those score leaderboards that have been a part of gaming since the beginning. I recommend you give it a read, and not just because I wrote it. It actually holds up as a piece about why we play video games, and some glimpses into the psychology of getting people to play for longer, chasing that high-score mark, and it’s a four year old foundation for PlayStation LifeStyle’s Trophy Theory.

So how about it fellow trophy hunters, do you remember your first bronze trophy? Do you remember the rush of that initial ding? What about your first Platinum? Of course there are the easy trophies to get, but what about the feeling of accomplishment when you get a really tough one, finishing a game on the hardest difficulty, or pulling off an amazing feat? Or maybe you’re not a trophy hunter. You’re just here because you’re curious. Don’t worry. That’s the first step to joining the rest of us.

I want Trophy Theory to be a conversation. This shouldn’t be me talking at you. It should be a discussion about trophies and everything that comes with it. I want your suggestions for what you want to talk about or see on Trophy Theory. Want to see a Platinum run for a particular game? Have a question for the Trophy community that you want to discuss? Throw your ideas into the comments below, email me, or tweet me. You may see your suggestion tailored into a future Trophy Theory.

Whether you have less than a hundred trophies or you’ve got my total trophy count beaten, PlayStation LifeStyle’s Trophy Theory is the ultimate course in PlayStation Trophies for every PlayStation gamer. Welcome to class. This is just the first bronze trophy, with many more to come.

Essential Reading:

Now Loading...Do Trophies Matter?

Now Loading...How Much Do You Care About Trophies?
Ben Tarrant

@Ben_Tarrant

Trophies are a great way to direct gameplay and give you something to do when you've finished the typical stuff to do. It got me doing things in Skyrim I never would have otherwise done.

But do they matter? Nope. Firewatch had 4 basically inconsequential trophies and it didn't make a blind bit of difference to my enjoyment of the game. People are too focused on what a game supplies trophy wise, I've seen many people simply dismiss a game because t doesn't have a platinum, which is just ridiculous. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon doesn't have one and it rules!
Cameron Teague

@Cameron_PSLS

I never thought I would care at all about trophies but I do sometimes find myself hunting down specific trophies. Now, I am not a crazy trophy whore, but I do love collecting them sometimes. As for if they have hurt or helped gaming, I think it has been nothing but a good thing. Trophies have extended the shelf lives of games and I think helped push DLC sales.
Heath Hindman

@TheHeathHindman

The best PS3 firmware update of all time was the one that let me turn off that fucking stupid chime.
Jowi Meli

@HylianJowi

I absolutely love trophies! While I wouldn't consider myself a fanatic — my trophy level sits at a pretty humble number at the moment — I enjoy the way trophies can extend the life of games you've already beaten, and I think they're a fun way to track what you've played and how much you've accomplished. They're not necessary, of course, but I think they're a great supplement to our gaming experiences. I do wish some companies would think more about the things they're adding to the list, though — I'll never Platinum Final Fantasy X thanks to that lightning dodging trophy!
Chandler Wood

@FinchStrife

Trophies absolutely matter. They are a cabinet of accomplishments. Records of the things we've done in games on PlayStation platforms. Best of all? They're optional. It's the perfect implementation of offering goals and challenges to the players that want them, while not actually hindering or getting in the way of the people that don't want to play for trophies.

It also encourages playing games in styles that you may never play. I'm typically a 'Leroy Jenkins' type, running in and laying waste to all around me (while subsequently getting myself killed). Many trophies require limiting deaths, using stealth, or using character types I don't usually use, which allows me to expand my gaming experience more than what I would get otherwise.

It's also a record of your gaming. That super hard difficulty mode? You can prove whether or not you've beaten it, and that record is tied to your PSN ID.

I will never limit my gaming based on trophy lists though. Doesn't include a Platinum? Let's aim for 100%. Hard trophy? That's motivating to play better or play more. And did I mention they are a completely optional and extra layer? So those that don't like them aren't actually out anything by having them there.

In fact, one of the first features I ever wrote for PSLS more than three years ago was on this very subject.
Zarmena Khan

@Zarmena

I'm somewhere in the middle of the two extremes when it comes to trophy hunting. I'm not a trophy whore and don't go out of my way to hunt or get platinums, but then there are occasions where I do wanna hunt specific trophies just because. I think they're a bit of an incentive for those who like additional challenges but I don't quite understand those people who play games just for them. Doesn't sound like an enjoyable activity to me.
Michael Briers

@briersytweets

Trophies matter, for sure. I wouldn't hold them up as the be all and end all of my gaming experience, but I appreciate their inherent value. Does that mean I'll go out of my way to play games purely to rack up my trophy level? Not at all. In fact I'd argue that that kind of mentality undermines the concept of trophies in general. Quality over quantity, and all that.

I mean, when I look at my own humble collection, I can recall memories of earning some of the more difficult accolades (man, that Dead Space 2 platinum), and there's something to be said about earning 100% on a game that you really admire.
Stephen Bitto

@SteveOneder

See Chandler Wood's response.
Alex Co

@excaliburps

I'm in the middle here. I care about trophies, but not to the point that I'd replay games just for 'em. I might go off the beaten path to snag a trinket for a trophy, but that's about it.

I rarely, if ever, 100 percent a game, and I'm fine with that. Do trophies matter to me? In a way yes, but not to the extent to how some people perceive it.
Mack Ashworth

@GamingWithMack

I'm a big fan of trophies and achievements in games, as they encourage trying out different ways of playing, increasing a title's longevity in a fun way.

I used to be pretty addicted to achievements over on Xbox, but having since been wooed over to the PlayStation and PC side of things, my focus on them has lessened considerably.

With that said, I look forward to the day when I can sit down and complete The Last of Us on the hardest difficulty for the second time. Gotta get me that trophy, for sure!