MetaGamerScore vs RetroAchievements

MetaGamerScore is a free web service that combines gaming achievements from multiple platforms into a persistent metascore. It automatically values achievements by rarity, while game and achievement values are adjusted for popularity and rarity. The service says it supports 30 platforms and game services and retains history from 8 retired integrations. Its listed services include Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, GOG, RetroAchievements, and Roblox. Users can compare games and achievements with friends, compete in global, country, yearly, crew, completist, and world-first rankings, form crews, challenge friends, and share achievement guides. It requires no client installation. The FAQ says the service does not ask for gaming passwords and collects only data available without them. When possible, it preserves linked accounts and achievement history after an integration shuts down, a practice it says dates to its 2011 launch. The service is not open source. It is free to use, with optional monthly Patreon pledges for perks such as more frequent achievement scans, ad removal, custom profile and crew URLs, and extra crew slots. Patron perks are added manually after a pledge goes through.

RetroAchievements adds achievement goals and progress tracking to retro games. Players can build profiles, follow completion, and compete with friends. Its game listings span systems from Atari 2600 to PlayStation 2 and include Nintendo, Sega, Sony, and other platforms. Supported emulator options include PCSX2, Dolphin, PPSSPP, Flycast, and BizHawk, with choices for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and browser-based SkyEmu.

Hardcore mode disables save-state loading, cheats, and most speed-altering emulator features. It is required for game mastery and some leaderboards. Community events include RA Roulette and Achievement of the Week, and developers can use public API documentation. Players can report broken achievements and request manual unlocks by providing proof of completion. The service is free. Its web application source code is GPL-3, while achievement trigger logic is proprietary to the RetroAchievements community. The service does not host copyright-protected ROMs. A player must be connected to the internet when starting a session, so fully offline play is not supported. System support and new features depend on volunteers.