The Xbox One will expand the achievement system that has proved to be quite popular on the Xbox 360. While before achievements were earned in video games, the Xbox One will also have media achievements that players can earn through using some of the apps that will be available on the console. This feature was discussed in a new blog post by Microsoft.
These media achievements will work a little bit different from gaming achievements. In the examples given, the achievements are usually timed based, meaning Xbox One users will only have a limited amount of time to complete the achievement. For example, users must have a certain amount of content on one app in a set period of time, such as watching ten titles on Amazon Instant Video before the end of 2013.
Microsoft also assured gamers in a separate statement to IGN that these media achievements will be kept apart from the achievements earned in video games, so that players do not get an epic Gamerscore just by binge watching movie:
"In addition to killer game achievements, now you can also earn Media Achievements with your favorite entertainment apps on Xbox One. You can unlock achievements for watching TV shows and movies or rating content. We'll be rolling out media achievements with partners on Xbox One including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Crackle, Amazon Instant Video and Redbox Instant, so be sure to keep an eye out for those cool opportunities at launch. Don't worry, watching a zillion hours of "House of Cards" won't impact won't impact your Gamerscore. We know that is sacred."
This is good news for gamers, as it would be a shame for these fanatic House of Cards fans mentioned in the statement to get huge amounts of achievements just by watching Kevin Spacey over and over again.
In addition the media achievements for the Xbox One, Microsoft stated in their blog post that the console will have a unique guide for watching media both on apps as well as live television on the Xbox One:
"Something truly unique we're doing with Xbox One is bringing together your favorite TV channels and entertainment app channels into one screen. Xbox One is also the only games and entertainment system that enables HDMI pass through. You can create your own personal Favorites in OneGuide - the Xbox One electronic program guide - so you can quickly and easily choose what you want to watch, whether it's a TV channel like CBS, NBC or ESPN, or something inside an app like Xbox Video, Hulu Plus or the NFL on Xbox One. You can even add your personal photos and videos from the SkyDrive app to your OneGuide Favorites."