Xbox Live allows gamers to collect points via an online achievement system and has created a new type of gamer - the achievement whore. While online achievements might help to extend the gameplay of certain games, they might be working against online gaming.
After you boot up your Xbox 360 gaming console and log into Xbox Live, you'll probably notice a number next to your Xbox Live avatar; this - my friend - is your Xbox Live  achievement points score. You may or may not be concerned with this number, but for some gamers, getting a high gamer score is all the games are about. There are people that play Xbox Live for the points and nothing else - and these people are known across Xbox Live as Achievement Whores.

Sure, shooting for the achievements in your favorite Xbox Live games is something most gamers care about, but if a gamer plays a game well - and long enough - they'll eventually get all of the in-game achievements that they want; but Achievement whoring can really hurt the Xbox Live community. I can't count the games I've lost in Halo 3, due to one-track-minded Achievement Whores who'll do mindless things in-game that has nothing to do with winning the game, but has everything to do with getting a few more achievement points. Desperate Achievement Whores will cheat, boost, quit, and fuss much to unlock in-game prizes and gain points assigned for unlocking Xbox Live achievements - Halo 3 Recon Armor anyone?

Microsoft designed their online achievement system to reward players for a job well done; not to promote unethical behavior in-game. Playing with online gamers that are interested in playing only for achievements takes away a bit of the magic that is Xbox Live and makes cookie cutter gaming more of a chore than a fun gaming experience.

Unfortunately, Achievement Whoring is out of Microsoft's hands at this point and there's little to nothing Microsoft to do to stop Achievement only players. In order to avoid grouping up with Achievement Whores online, it's best to establish a loyal group of friends to play with - and let the achievement whores be the problem of the other teams.