A Taxonomy of Bad Trophies — Examining Online Fan Discourse on Disliked Trophies

This paper presents a preliminary taxonomy of “bad” video game trophies, derived from a qualitative content analysis of Reddit discussions between September 2023 and June 2024. We identify five recurring categories—Grinding, Chance, Checklists, Inorganic, and Missable—each characterized by specific design flaws that frustrate players. While prior research has focused on why players pursue trophies, our study examines why they disengage, arguing that trophy design is inseparable from game design and worthy of serious scrutiny from designers and academics alike.

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Publication Details

Journal
ScholarSpace (University of Hawaii at Manoa)
Published
2025-12-23
Primary Topic
Digital Games and Media
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

A Taxonomy of Bad Trophies — Examining Online Fan Discourse on Disliked Trophies

Dan Staines, Asli Tece Bayrak
ScholarSpace (University of Hawaii at Manoa)
Digital Games and Media
article

A Taxonomy of Bad Trophies — Examining Online Fan Discourse on Disliked Trophies

Dan Staines, Asli Tece Bayrak
article en

Abstract

This paper presents a preliminary taxonomy of “bad” video game trophies, derived from a qualitative content analysis of Reddit discussions between September 2023 and June 2024. We identify five recurring categories—Grinding, Chance, Checklists, Inorganic, and Missable—each characterized by specific design flaws that frustrate players. While prior research has focused on why players pursue trophies, our study examines why they disengage, arguing that trophy design is inseparable from game design and worthy of serious scrutiny from designers and academics alike.

ScholarSpace (University of Hawaii at Manoa)
Openalex Percentile: Top 23%
Digital Games and Media
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A Taxonomy of Bad Trophies — Examining Online Fan Discourse on Disliked Trophies — Dan Staines, Asli Tece Bayrak · ScholarSpace (University of Hawaii at Manoa) (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS