> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://devdocs.xbox.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# XR-057 Unlocking Achievements

> Titles must let all base-title achievements be earned through gameplay without extra purchases and without direct unlocks via cheats or menu options.

# 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

These options may be used to reduce the difficulty of the gameplay required to unlock achievements.

## 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**

1. Review the achievement descriptions on the base title.
2. Verify that they do not require additional purchases or content.
3. Gain all achievements.

**Expected Result**

All achievements can be gained without being required to purchase additional in-title content.

**Pass Examples**

1. All achievements can be gained without being required to purchase additional in-title content.
2. No achievements require additional in-title content.

**Fail Examples**

1. The user is required to purchase additional in-title content to unlock an achievement defined by the base title.


## Related topics

- [XBOX Requirement test cases for PC and mobile games](/publishing/certification/pc-policy-tests.md)
- [PC and mobile certification requirements and top failures](/publishing/certification/pc-certification.md)
- [XBOX Certification overview](/publishing/certification/overview.md)
- [XR-055 Achievements and Gamerscore](/publishing/certification/xr/xr-055.md)
- [XBOX Requirements (XRs) certification reference](/publishing/certification/xbox-requirements.md)