Kick back and earn achievements for Xbox One by simply using console apps

By Michael Archambault
last updated

Want to earn achievements for Xbox One without touching your controller? Now you can, as Microsoft is allowing media applications to include their own achievements. In a blog post (opens in new tab) this morning, the company has given away the fact that app makers would be allowed to include this latest ability to accompany achievements from gaming.

Media achievements will give “the opportunity to achieve badges or rewards for media they consume in addition to gaming”. Love watching Netflix or Amazon Video? Well maybe your hours of catching up on Breaking Bad or Dexter will up your virtual shelf of awards.

Watching hours upon hours of video content won’t increase your Gamerscore – that will remain separate. Microsoft made sure to make this clear in a statement:

“Don’t worry, watching a zillion hours of House of Cards won’t impact your Gamerscore. We know that is sacred."

Some examples of possible media achievements include possibly earning an “addict” achievement when watching a certain app a certain amount of times during a specified time period or another achievement, which is awarded if you watch 10 shows before the end of 2013.

Xbox One Apps

Microsoft’s Xbox One is not just aiming to be your entertainment system for its lifespan – they want to be your #1 multimedia box. Adding media style achievements really shows just how much the company wants you to use its latest device as a streaming box.

“Xbox, on” won’t simply be a command you shout when feeling a blood lust for zombies or needing to save Elizabeth from The Prophet – it will be your access to a world of entertainment and content (not to mention your cable box).

Be sure to check out our report on what applications will be landing on Xbox One in your area and stay tuned to WPCentral as we move closer to November 22.

Fact of the day: November 22 won’t only mark the launch day for Xbox One, but also the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Sources: ArsTechnica, Microsoft (opens in new tab)

Michael Archambault
Michael Archambault
26 Comments
  • Smart. I've noticed a lot of streaming services have started to add their own gamification. One game to rule them all.
  • Nice.. Can't wait to get my hands on it... #XboxOne #FTW
  • 1st
  • Ouch....Mega Fail
  • Lol
  • At last i watch loads of Netflix so to get some achievement for it would be great.
  • Those are NOT achievements
  • Too many news for one day.
  • I wish MS would give away themes or gamerpics, etc. if you get all achievements for a game.  Like, get 1000 gamerscore on Halo 4, unlock a premium theme.
  • Not comfortable with this. I guess it's okay as long as they're zero point achievements, but it's a slippery slope. All it takes is one executive with a pet project arguing why they couldn't get points for watching American Idol or some other piece of dreck to make it lose all meaning.
  • /facepalm This is the first time in my life I have seen something and thought the term "jumped the shark" applied. WTF is this "watch a TV show with a Greek letter of the alphabet" garbage?
  • "Betas", one of Amazon Studios original series pilots.
  • Don't see why they should call it achievements if they don't add up to your Gamerscore.
  • Maybe add up to your MEDIAscore.
  • Nope.
  • I hate this idea, this one of the worst things Microsoft could do for the xbox one. Personally, am a little of an achievement hunter. When I see someone with a higher gamer score I respect them more as they have worked hard in playing all these games to get this high score. When I play a game and get all the achievements on a game, it's something to show what I have done.   All I see is this will lower the value of a gamer score. If they start doing it for little things like watching tv, what is next ? It just totaly wrecks the achievement/gamer score. You play a game now, make it some point, you get an achivement, this is what it's about and ALWAYS should be this way. Watching tv or opening a app 20 times ? Really ?   I'm sure people with a low gamer score will like this but, hardcore gamers, not so much...
  • Learn how to read. The specifically say media achivements will not impact your score. You're being extreamly closedminded btw. There are a lot of very passionate pop-culture and media lovers who would really enjoy some sort of achivement for the stuff they watch. Achivements for completing a movie series or show season I think would be awesome.
  • Yea but, your achivement scores are called a Gamer score and for a reason. Not being close minded at all. That was really about, If people like it, then they use it more and the point of a "GAMER SCORE" goes down once Microsoft decides to start giving a "score" for watching some content (I'd bet paid content would get it because it woud be ad dollars for MS) That is why I dont like it and this is based on what I have read from Microsoft and quoted it COULD come with a score point.
  • I highly doubt that when Microsoft begins to allow scoring with the media achivements they'll mix them with the gamerscore, as that would obviously upset gamers. It would be something like a media or viewer score alongside your gamerscore. What you're doing is worrying yourself with the worst possible scenrio.
  • Read. It. Again.
    It has nothing to do with your GamerScore. It's only achievements. Like in Steam, or Untappd :) And GamerScore = respect? I know lots of people who let their family (and friends) play on the same account. Hopefully XB1 will make that much better since it's so easy to switch accounts.
  • OMG, LMFAOing at your read skills.
  • Funny and pretty cool. Ironic cause the other day, my wife asked if you get achievements for watching Netflix. The recent list shows the apps as having achievements
  • Accidently watched Channel 4 and.... Ding, "Achievement Unlocked, Watched Glee for the First Time"....... No way to remove that chievo. Wounded :P
  • Do you think people will pay $2000 for the Xbox this holiday season?
  • I wish you could hook up coax cables for over the air connection to the Xbox one.
  • I agree, I would rather a theme or gamerpic or avatar kit for using apps than achievements. I see achievements as an indication of the type of gamer you are and how you play, but now, 2 years after launch a gamers achievements could be 230,000 and the majority from TV and films. The gamer who played games and got to 230,000 means nothing then. Its kinda like "you did what to get a 1000 points!! Hah I watched season one of Dexter, did nothing and got the same! Call of Duty completed on veteran for 50G! Hah, I watched the movie "Gravity" and got awarded 100G. I don't like this... As above, give us a theme or similar for TV.