Foamstars: The Game That Doesn’t Want You to Platinum It

A game missing the platinum trophy

On February 6, 2024, a brand-new multiplayer shooting game called Foamstars was released for the PS5 and PS4. The game has dynamic maps that shift with the seasons, peculiar weapons, and vibrant characters. The game Foamstars promises to be fast-paced, exciting, and entertaining, but it is devoid of one promise: a platinum trophy.

“Foamstars – Story Mode/Versus Mode – Gameplay Walkthrough (FULL GAME)” shared by YouTube channel: DanQ8000

You did really read correctly. One of the few games, Foamstars, does not offer a platinum prize for earning every other trophy. There are just 24 trophies in the game overall, and none of them are silver or gold. The highest trophy in Foamstars is a bronze, and you can only obtain it if you complete the remaining 23 trophies.

Why would a game act in this way? Why would a game deprive its users of the joy of taking home a brilliant platinum trophy after all of their effort and commitment? The creators of Foamstars claim that their goal was to create a game where the focus was on enjoyment rather than winning awards.

“東京ゲームショウ2009 / SQUARE ENIX” by Kentaro Ohno is licensed under CC BY 2.0

According to director of Foamstars Tom Jones, “we wanted to create a game that was not focused on trophies, but on the gameplay itself,” in a PlayStation Lifestyle interview. “We wanted to design a game that was easy to pick up and play, but challenging to master. Our goal in creating the game was to emphasize having fun rather than slogging.”

Jones clarified that the purpose of the decision to exclude the platinum award was to challenge trophy hunters rather than to show disrespect for them. “We know that some players love to collect trophies, and we respect that,” he stated. However, we also intended to put them to the test by making them play the game for enjoyment rather than for awards. Without the promise of a platinum trophy, we aimed to determine if students could still have fun with the game.”

Jones added that the developers made a conscious decision to forego a platinum award rather than display ineptitude or laziness. “We put a lot of effort and passion into making Foamstars, and we are very proud of it,” he stated. We didn’t leave out the platinum.

Polarized views

Not everyone, though, agrees with this assertion. A few players have even completely boycotted the game due to their dissatisfaction and displeasure with the award list. “This is absurd,” a player on the TrueTrophies forum commented. “How come a game in 2024 doesn’t have a golden trophy? This is an insult to the community of trophy people. This game won’t be purchased by me till a platinum trophy is added.”

Another player claimed that the trophy list in the game was a deal-breaker. “I was looking forward to playing Foamstars, but when I saw the trophy list, I lost all interest,” they stated. “I play video games for trophies, not for enjoyment. Furthermore, a game isn’t worth playing if it doesn’t have a platinum trophy.”

“Large and Small Studded Lego Trophies” by dluders is licensed under CC BY 2.0

However, the trophy list in the game doesn’t affect everyone. A few gamers have even accepted the challenge of playing the game without a platinum trophy, applauding the game for its audacious and creative decision. A player commented, “I think this is awesome,” on the Dot Esports website. “I think this is a novel and inventive method to make a game stand out from the pack. This game is already platinum, hence in my opinion, it doesn’t need a platinum award.”

One additional gamer mentioned that they were motivated by the game’s trophy list. “I love playing Foamstars, and I don’t care about the trophies,” they replied. Even without a platinum trophy, I enjoy the challenge of trying to unlock every prize. This seems like a game that will put your abilities and enthusiasm to the test, and I’m game.”

So, what are your thoughts? Is Foamstars a game that should receive a platinum award, in your opinion, or does it not require one? Is the trophy list in the game a turn-on or a turn-off for you? What is your opinion of the success or failure of the game’s trophy list? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Also, don’t forget to read our guide on how to obtain every trophy in Foamstars.