dd
I found that you can "buy" awards for your achievements on uplay. Has anybody tried these?

Yup, I bought the exclusive theme (designed for pre-NXE, ugh) and the exclusive Assassin Tomb (haven't tried it yet). The system is functional, but the UI looks very last generation to me.

It's a "frequent flyer" style rewards system that gives you points based on certain achievements/trophies you unlock in the game. You can then spend these reward points on things such as console themes, extra throwing knife upgrade, a special assassin's tomb and Altair's outfit from AC1. This is actually the first Ubisoft game to employ this, but R.U.S.E. and Splinter Cell: Conviction will also use this system upon their respective releases.
 
I quite like it, because it's rewarding you for just playing the game as intended. All the achievements that give points are story-based an unmissable. The extra stuff in no way is game-breaking, but adds a bit more utility (in the case of the knives), backstory (with the tomb) and just plain AC1 fan-service (with Altair's robes).

So basically, achievements get you rewards? Awesome. I've never really seen the point of achievements since you don't get anything for completing them(besides a bigger E-penis), but if I get actual stuff, I've got a reason to go for them. More developers need to do stuff like this.

Yeah, I like the concept of Uplay. I downloaded the Assassin's Creed II theme last night (though, as stated, it sadly doesn't really take advantage of the NXE) and will probably try out the exclusive tomb.

" @UnsolvedParadox:  I'd like to ask, what exactly is "uPlay?" I've seen the icon and logo in the game (main menu), but have never bothered to check it out. "

" It's a "frequent flyer" style rewards system that gives you points based on certain achievements/trophies you unlock in the game. You can then spend these reward points on things such as console themes, extra throwing knife upgrade, a special assassin's tomb and Altair's outfit from AC1. This is actually the first Ubisoft game to employ this, but R.U.S.E. and Splinter Cell: Conviction will also use this system upon their respective releases.  I quite like it, because it's rewarding you for just playing the game as intended. All the achievements that give points are story-based an unmissable. The extra stuff in no way is game-breaking, but adds a bit more utility (in the case of the knives), backstory (with the tomb) and just plain AC1 fan-service (with Altair's robes). "

" @UnsolvedParadox:  I'd like to ask, what exactly is "uPlay?" I've seen the icon and logo in the game (main menu), but have never bothered to check it out. "

I had my question answered about an hour ago, but thank you! I guess I will check this out next time I log in.

I cant get Uplay to recognize my Xbox live account

" I cant get Uplay to recognize my Xbox live account "

" @bigpig33: I can't get it to do anything.I signed up, but I can'teven find a spot to enter my live account. It's seems completely broken to me, but I guess there is a way as people are doing it "

yeah uplay is awesome I got more throwing knives and the altiar outfit

This is a crappy marketing concept. Why couldn't I just buy more throwing knifes upgrades in-game or make Altiar outfit available some other way. Worst of all is the exclusive level, I feel like they hide some of the game from me. I could just go get it from uPlay, but why the hell would I go to the trouble.

" This is a crappy marketing concept. Why couldn't I just buy more throwing knifes upgrades in-game or make Altiar outfit available some other way. Worst of all is the exclusive level, I feel like they hide some of the game from me. I could just go get it from uPlay, but why the hell would I go to the trouble. "

" @skavanker said:

" This is a crappy marketing concept. Why couldn't I just buy more throwing knifes upgrades in-game or make Altiar outfit available some other way. Worst of all is the exclusive level, I feel like they hide some of the game from me. I could just go get it from uPlay, but why the hell would I go to the trouble. "

You can expand your throwing knife belt in the game. I didn't get the uPlay knife upgrade yet, maybe that's even MORE knives? "  

" This is a crappy marketing concept. Why couldn't I just buy more throwing knifes upgrades in-game or make Altiar outfit available some other way. Worst of all is the exclusive level, I feel like they hide some of the game from me. I could just go get it from uPlay, but why the hell would I go to the trouble. "

" @skavanker said:

" This is a crappy marketing concept. Why couldn't I just buy more throwing knifes upgrades in-game or make Altiar outfit available some other way. Worst of all is the exclusive level, I feel like they hide some of the game from me. I could just go get it from uPlay, but why the hell would I go to the trouble. "

They're called unlockables, and they've been in games for decades. Complete specific things in the game, and you get rewarded.  And why do you feel like they're hiding something from you? Because they want you to complete specific missions before you can unlock the bonus level? You might as well be saying "Damn, why does it require me to play through the story missions before it lets me reach the final level? I feel like they hide some of the game for me. I could just complete the missions, but why the hell would I go through the trouble." See? "

" @UnsolvedParadox said:

" @skavanker said:

" This is a crappy marketing concept. Why couldn't I just buy more throwing knifes upgrades in-game or make Altiar outfit available some other way. Worst of all is the exclusive level, I feel like they hide some of the game from me. I could just go get it from uPlay, but why the hell would I go to the trouble. "

You can expand your throwing knife belt in the game. I didn't get the uPlay knife upgrade yet, maybe that's even MORE knives? "  

 Yeah I haven't done the uPlay thing either, but I think you get 5 more throwing knifes. 20 is plenty, but its just the concept of me going  to all the trouble that I don't like "

I'm okay with the concept. But some things such as "more knives" should be obtained ingame. They should use it for stuff, that doesn't really fit into the games narrative. The original altair-costume is a good example.
 
In the end it's just Ubisoft using the achievement system the same way MS does: You'll want to increase that number and if you're on the fence about a purchase, it'll tip you towards their side. Some people get the 360 version of multiplatform games in order to increase their GS (yeah, meanwhile Sony catched up but most people began their gamerscore career on 360 and stay with it). It's maybe the same now with Ubisoft games. If you can't decide between two games, you'll probably take uplay into consideration and go for the Ubisoft game.
 
I also tried the family crypt last night. It's nothing special though. Among all the tombs in the game, it's probably the worst.

" I'm okay with the concept. But some things such as "more knives" should be obtained ingame.   In the end it's just Ubisoft using the achievement system the same way MS does: You'll want to increase that number and if you're on the fence about a purchase, it'll tip you at their side. Some people get the 360 version of multiplatform games in order to increase their GS (yeah, meanwhile Sony catched up but most people began their gamerscore career on 360 and stay with it). It's maybe the same now with Ubisoft games. If you can't decide between two games, you'll probably take uplay into consideration and go for the Ubisoft game.  I also tried the family crypt last night. It's nothing special though. Among all the tombs in the game, it's probably the worst. "

" @CptBedlam said:

" I'm okay with the concept. But some things such as "more knives" should be obtained ingame.   In the end it's just Ubisoft using the achievement system the same way MS does: You'll want to increase that number and if you're on the fence about a purchase, it'll tip you at their side. Some people get the 360 version of multiplatform games in order to increase their GS (yeah, meanwhile Sony catched up but most people began their gamerscore career on 360 and stay with it). It's maybe the same now with Ubisoft games. If you can't decide between two games, you'll probably take uplay into consideration and go for the Ubisoft game.  I also tried the family crypt last night. It's nothing special though. Among all the tombs in the game, it's probably the worst. "

How is that gonna make it any easier to decide on the ubisoft games coming out since they will most likely have them in all the new ones they're developing? Aren't they gonna be standing there going "Oh man, what game shall I pick?!! they all have Uplay points"How is that easier for a waste-of-oxygen-pointswhore? :o "

" @ZeForgotten said:

" @CptBedlam said:

" I'm okay with the concept. But some things such as "more knives" should be obtained ingame.   In the end it's just Ubisoft using the achievement system the same way MS does: You'll want to increase that number and if you're on the fence about a purchase, it'll tip you at their side. Some people get the 360 version of multiplatform games in order to increase their GS (yeah, meanwhile Sony catched up but most people began their gamerscore career on 360 and stay with it). It's maybe the same now with Ubisoft games. If you can't decide between two games, you'll probably take uplay into consideration and go for the Ubisoft game.  I also tried the family crypt last night. It's nothing special though. Among all the tombs in the game, it's probably the worst. "

How is that gonna make it any easier to decide on the ubisoft games coming out since they will most likely have them in all the new ones they're developing? Aren't they gonna be standing there going "Oh man, what game shall I pick?!! they all have Uplay points"How is that easier for a waste-of-oxygen-pointswhore? :o "

 You know, it doesn't make much sense if you are only buying Ubisoft games. But there are games from other publishers out there that are good. And if you have to decide between say an EA game and a Ubisoft game, the uplay stuff will probably tip you towards Ubisoft. "

you can use the points you get in assassin's 2 in future ubisoft titles btw. and I dont know if its a bug, but i got 10 points for signing up on my pc (I didnt know you could do it from the console) and then another 10 from signing up on the console

" I also tried the family crypt last night. It's nothing special though. Among all the tombs in the game, it's probably the worst. "

" @CptBedlam said:

" I also tried the family crypt last night. It's nothing special though. Among all the tombs in the game, it's probably the worst. "

No it wasn't, the entire point of the crypt was to give you Auditore family history, and that's exactly what it did. "

" I'm okay with the concept. But some things such as "more knives" should be obtained ingame. They should use it for stuff, that doesn't really fit into the games narrative. The original altair-costume is a good example. In the end it's just Ubisoft using the achievement system the same way MS does: You'll want to increase that number and if you're on the fence about a purchase, it'll tip you towards their side."

the tomb you unlock is really cool, if you liked the other assassin's tombs you'll like this one too, plus it gives back story on Ezio's family

" it's a silly idea but i'm saving my points for something ghost recon/splinter cellish seeing as all the points carry over... nothing in ACII seemed all that appealing "

I'm gonna hoard my points.  The only thing I've seen worth purchasing is whatever the multiplayer mode will be in SC:C

I really likes the idea of cross game unlockables and the throwing knife pouch is large enough as it is, so why complain when it's free.
This is basically what the achievement system should have been.

" I really likes the idea of cross game unlockables and the throwing knife pouch is large enough as it is, so why complain when it's free. This is basically what the achievement system should have been. "

" I only unlocked the auditore crypt, which has some timed platforming and gives you some background on Ezio's family (which i thought was really nice). I don't really need an AC2 wallpaper and Ryan said on the bombcast its bad. I wonder if anyone wants the extra throwing knives... i didn't. And i like Ezio's outfit more, so why unlock the Altaïr outfit!? The rewards for Splintercell Conviction are the Scar-H (extra weapon), an extra MP skin and MP game mode. And also a wallpaper... They look somewhat better then the AC2 rewards. "

Someone already said it, but the UI looks way way last gen and kinda lame. Update that, throw more goodies...and i think we got a winner. I like getting stuff for getting achievements.

The exclusive Assassin's tomb is worth the points. Everything else is not.