Xbox’s Big Change to Achievements Hands PlayStation an Uno Reverse Card on a Silver Platter

For years, Xbox fans have been begging for Microsoft to consider adding an equivalent to the best feature of PlayStation’s Trophy system: Platinums. Used to mark 100% completion on a game’s achievement list, Platinums have been an instantly recognizable way for players on PS3, PS4, PS Vita, and PS5 to track how many games they’ve mastered. The gamerscore system has long lacked this option, with achievements completely blending together and making it hard to identify specific full completions that players are particularly proud of. Fortunately, that will be changing soon, with new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma recently acknowledging the need for a platinum-like.

While no details were provided on the name for Xbox’s Platinum stand-in, how it works, or whether it will be retroactively granted for existing 100% completions, Sharma did confirm that it isn’t just a suggestion being taken into consideration. The platinum equivalent is already in development, with Xbox targeting a late 2026 addition for the feature. While Sony could view this addition as frustrating, as it essentially removes the one thing PlayStation could point to as proof its achievement system is superior, it could actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise for fans. With Xbox openly sharing plans for a feature it took decades to add, PlayStation has a chance to prepare something even cooler to counter with.

How Can PlayStation Ensure Trophies Remain Better Than Achievements?

Xbox getting Platinums of its own is undoubtedly great news, but it’s taken a very long time to get there. PlayStation, on the other hand, has had Platinum Trophies for a very long time, which has given it room to experiment with its system. For instance, the now-defunct PlayStation Stars rewards system awarded players with some collectibles for getting certain Trophies, and Trophies were part of the leveling up process within the service. The designs of the Trophies themselves received a visual overhaul going into the PlayStation 5 generation, while leveling changes were also made to make for a longer and more rewarding grind to the max rank of 999. Still, it’s going to take more than a visual overhaul and some level adjustments to keep up with Xbox. Sure, a Platinum-like being introduced is essentially the competition playing catch-up, but it’ll feel fresh and exciting regardless if PlayStation has nothing cool to counter with.

Fortunately for Sony, there are numerous ways to improve the PlayStation Trophy system. For one, perhaps Sony could introduce something that one-ups both its Platinum and Xbox’s in-development version. This new top-tier Trophy — let’s call it Emerald for now — could unlock when players get all the DLC achievements after getting the Platinum for a game. Currently, DLC Trophies are looked at as a bit of a nuisance, ruining 100% completions and not being worth the chase since there’s no Platinum at the end of the hunt. A “super completionist” Trophy could make them more enticing, pushing players to go the extra mile to restore their 100%.

If Xbox is tackling its lack of a Platinum problem, then Sony could try to address other issues with video game achievement hunting. There’s nothing quite as frustrating for a Trophy hunter as completing 90% of a game’s list only to realize there are tasks for the multiplayer modes. These modes could be unpopulated due to being niche, maybe their servers are full of hackers, or perhaps they’ve even been shutdown due to their age, leaving the Platinum Trophy unobtainable. Going forward, Sony could make it a legal requirement that all multiplayer Trophies autopop after a certain date, winning it some brownie points with the achievement hunting community.

Other opportunities include Trophy hunting competitions, Favorite Trophy displays, and reward points for collecting Trophies. The first suggestion could simply be an extension of PlayStation’s Tournaments feature, allowing players to set their own competition times with their friends to race and see who can collect the most achievements. Unless PlayStation Home 2 happens and players get physical versions of their Trophies to show off, letting players pin their 10 proudest achievements to their PlayStation profiles could be a good way to handle the Trophy display selection. And finally, rewards points for Trophy hunting would actually be a revival of an old Sony Rewards feature — PlayStation would just have to remove shovelware games from the shop to avoid losing money. With so many options available to Sony if it wants to evolve its Trophy system, there’s no reason for it to stand idly by and let Xbox steal every achievement hunter’s attention.