Originally posted by Rekrul

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And to get high-score in Tetris, all it takes is clearing the lines.

How it makes you feel doesn't matter here.

Perhaps it also depends on the exact context of acomplishment. If you're talking acomplishment in game, then those are clearly defined, both in terms of rewards, as well as means of obtaining it. If you're talking about personal acomplishment, then that is completely beyond the scope of game.

For some, even logging in, or perhaps cancelling subscription is an acomplishment. For others it might be keeping noob melon for 3 years. For someone else, it was getting full template Jedi.

Games are about defining goals. Unlike SecondLife, which, as commonly mentioned lacks motivation, but offers no limits on acomplishments, since they are intangible and defined through community, SWG had clearly defined acomplishments.
- Badge collection
- Profession masteries
- Quest rewards

But I don't believe that in any kind of context it is fair to discredit someone's acomplishments. The attitude of "Jedi means nothing" is just as incorrect as "SWG is all about Jedi". The OP does raise a point. In current system, the acomplishment system has been simplified. From scarce rewards, that take considerable ammount of time to acomplish, to fine grained, instant rewards.

Probably the main acomplisment about Jedi in original SWG wasn't as much about actually leveling up a toon, but displaying dedication to do so. And that, while meaningless to some/many, was also a personal acomplishment.

There was, obviously, only one brain-dead way to do it. But then again, is there a "game" that has even slightly more complex requirements for achieving goals? Is Tetris more difficult because it requires fast reaction times and stamina? Is Myst/7th guest/puzzle pirates more difficult since it requires an ammount of thinking, even though the puzzles aren't exactly rocket science?

And here's the inevitable SOE reference. Many people made many acomplishments Some were small (getting master marksman, getting a small house placed), others were big (Jedi, Mando armor, Level 5 city), third were involved (creating a guild, establishing crafting community). But without exception, SOE has diminished or removed all of them.

Just because someone values different things, the true resentment in SWG community comes from complete lack of any kind of mutual respect for acomplishments. While the in-game acomplishments were removed by redesign, bashing personal achievements, even unintentionally, hurts and offends people at a much deeper level.

That's something for all that like to bash any SWG era and any SWG playstyle to think about. And in interest of fairness, that includes the NGE as well.

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