User:Garrett/Achievements

Brief overview: one core feature of the Xbox 360 makeover is the new ingame achievements system that earns you Gamer Points. Implementing them in guides in way that is unobtrusive for those who don't care yet easy to understand for those that do is a top priority.

Feel free to add your comments or even alternate examples, but remember to sign your comments ( ~ ) so we know who said what.

Example 1: Advancing By Degrees (illustration unfinished)
 http://www.maj.com/gallery/TheFanatic/temp/achievement2.png Saving The Buxom Divorcee Saving that woman from the sleazy car salesman earns you XX Gamer Points. In total you have earned XX Gamer Points from this plot thread. Pros
 * Swirling backdrop (unfinished) heavily alludes to the 360 boxart so is instantly recognisable to 360 owners... but falls short of getting us sued. ;)
 * Arrows (maybe not a permanent feature) allude to 360 degrees as well as the player moving from the beginning to 100% completion and then starting again.
 * BIG PRINT numbers for easy reading at a glance
 * Universal and familiar symbol throughout all guides
 * only seen on StrategyWiki thus becoming part of our overall feel

Cons
 * Numbers must be manually added for each score amount (either that or some really complex CSS with doubtful compatibility)
 * White background virtually required meaning sidebar doesn't stand out as much

Example 2: Mean Green Gaming Machine
 Achievement http://www.maj.com/gallery/TheFanatic/temp/achievexample.jpg   XX Points    Saving The Buxom Divorcee Saving that woman from the sleazy car salesman earns you XX Gamer Points. In total you have earned XX Gamer Points from this plot thread. Pros
 * Contrasts with StrategyWiki's main theme and especially with the normal Template:sidebar (which will likely be used right alongside it).
 * actual ingame icon shown allowing for instant recognition.

Cons
 * Needs something more.
 * Requires all the icons being uploaded, potentially weakening fair use claims.

Improvements
 * Superimposing score value over top of icon? This would improve visibility and reduce the sidebar's size but increase the chance of the reader confusing similar icons based on what's left visible of the icon.

Example 2A: Mean Green Gaming Machine, Gearshift
 Achievement Saving that woman from the sleazy car salesman earns you XX Gamer Points. In total you have earned XX Gamer Points from this plot thread.

Pros
 * Sidebar can be smaller
 * larger numbers at no cost to sidebar size

Cons
 * Less room for lengthy achievement name
 * Doesn't look so balanced

Improvements
 * Perhaps use a border and different colour backing for the invisible inset

Example 2B: Mean Green Gaming Machine, Top Gear
 Achievement Saving that woman from the sleazy car salesman earns you XX Gamer Points. In total you have earned XX Gamer Points from this plot thread.

Pros
 * Nice contrast between the icon and its explanation
 * The contrast helps alleviate the lack of balance from before

Cons
 * Same as before

Improvements
 * Maybe a different background colour, grey or light green perhaps?

Example 2C: Mean Green Gaming Machine, Bottom Gear
 Achievement http://www.maj.com/gallery/TheFanatic/temp/achievexample.jpg      XX       Saving The Buxom Divorcee Saving that woman from the sleazy car salesman earns you XX Gamer Points. In total you have earned XX Gamer Points from this plot thread.

Pros
 * BIG PRINT for easy skim-reading

Cons

Improvements
 * The numbers would be more central, naturally