I’m all for platforms offering more custom options on both sides: player and developer. I’m just pointing out achievements aren’t inherently bad or good; it mainly depends on the player’s preference, which’s why I don’t understand existential debates surrounding them.

For example, in another comment you pointed out achievement pop ups can ruin emotional moments, but, in an arcade game, an achievement pop up can be euphoric after practicing for hours and finally getting the 1CC.

Valve doesn’t force achievements on developers. But there is a very loud minority of gamers who love to demand. They will yell in the Steam forums, complain on Reddit, bang at the door of the developer’s Discord channel. It’s quite obnoxious.

This is obviously awful, but it happens on both sides: I’ve come across many anti achievement people giving condescending, unsolicited advice to achievement hunters on Reddit, Steam forums, Discord, and even here, and it’s obnoxious AF. It’s a people problem is my point.