XR-057: Unlocking Achievements *
Version 1.0, 9/1/2020 Titles must provide a way for a user to earn all achievements defined by the base title without being required to purchase additional in-title content. Achievements must be unlocked through in-game actions, gameplay, and/or experiences. Game titles should not offer players direct achievement unlocks through alternative options without corresponding gameplay activity. Some disallowed options include:- A real-money purchase
- In-game cheat codes
- Console or menu options
More information
The intent of achievements is to award players based on their gameplay activity; not by making purchases or using in-game ‘cheats’. Whether or not achievements can be unlocked while cheats are active is a decision left to the title developer. As you look to apply this requirement, consider the following examples:- An achievement for completing level 1 may be unlocked by a player who completes the level while using an infinite health cheat code. The player still had to complete the level.
- An achievement for completing level 1 may not be unlocked by using a cheat code that unlocks level 2, as the player has not completed level 1.
- An achievement for starting level 2 may be unlocked for players who started level 2 by using a cheat code to unlock the level.
- A real-money purchase may not have the primary benefit of unlocking an achievement.
- Non-base achievements can require content that is only unlocked by real-money purchases, but the act of purchasing the content may not be what unlocks the achievement.
Certification test cases
057-01 No Additional Purchases Required for Base Achievements
Test Steps- Review the achievement descriptions on the base title.
- Verify that they do not require additional purchases or content.
- Gain all achievements.
- All achievements can be gained without being required to purchase additional in-title content.
- No achievements require additional in-title content.
- The user is required to purchase additional in-title content to unlock an achievement defined by the base title.