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Is it cheating to earn duplicate trophies on ps5?

Discussion Sparks Debate | Are Duplicate Platinum Trophies Acceptable in Gaming?

By

Jamal Clarke

Mar 24, 2026, 10:23 PM

Edited By

David Brown

2 minutes of duration

A gamer looks at their PS5 trophy collection showing duplicate platinum trophies, with a game controller in hand.
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An ongoing conversation among gamers brings up the ethics of earning duplicate platinum trophies across PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Many are questioning if auto-popping trophies from game upgrades tarnishes the achievement or if itโ€™s just a part of the gaming experience.

Context of the Controversy

With the rise of cross-generational gaming, players who never owned a PS4 are now diving into classic titles on PS5. Some games, like Resident Evil 3, allow trophies to unlock automatically when upgrading from PS4 to PS5 if the original version was fully completed. This has led to questions about the validity of having two platinum trophies for essentially the same game. One gamer expressed, "I just want to enjoy the gamesโ€”am I overthinking this?"

Community Reactions

The sentiment in gaming forums varies. Many players are embracing the auto-pop feature as a bonus, while others find it trivial. Here are three main themes emerging from the comments:

  • Redundancy of Auto-Pops: A portion of players believe that unlocking trophies without real effort diminishes their value. One user stated, "Whatโ€™s the trophy in booting a game up?"

  • Personal Enjoyment Over Criticism: For some, the enjoyment of the game takes precedence over trophy collection. A user noted, "If you enjoyed the game, go for it!"

  • Trophy Hunt Traditions: Some gamers feel that earning trophies through gameplay enhances the experience. One gamer recommended, "If you're the type who replays a game, it might be better not to auto-pop trophies."

"Chances that someone else besides yourself ever sees your trophy list is close to 0," remarked another participant, highlighting the personal nature of these achievements.

Key Insights from Community Feedback

  • ๐ŸŒŸ Many players view auto-popping as an easy win that doesnโ€™t reflect the effort put into gaming.

  • ๐ŸŽฎ A large segment believes personal achievement outweighs the opinions of others.

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Some prefer a challenge, opting to replay games rather than taking the easier path to trophies.

As gaming continues to evolve with newer systems, the communityโ€™s stance on trophy validation remains a dynamic topic. Will future generations adopt a more lenient view on duplicate trophies, or will traditional trophy hunting continue to hold weight? Only time will tell.

What's Next for Trophies in Gaming?

Thereโ€™s a strong chance that as gaming technology progresses, attitudes towards duplicate trophies will shift. Many in the community may embrace this change, valuing personal achievement over rigid definitions of success. With experts estimating a rapid increase in cross-platform play in the next few years, the concept of trophy quality may take a backseat as players focus more on their gaming experiences. Moreover, as gaming social circles expand, the stigma surrounding auto-popping could fade, giving way to a more relaxed view of achievements overall.

A Historical Snapshot of Gaming Evolution

This debate has echoes in the early days of cheat codes, where players often faced backlash for seeking shortcuts in game completions. Just as players once criticized those who used cheats to unlock levels or gain advantages, todayโ€™s discussions mirror similar tensions. Over time, however, the community accepted those methods as part of the broader gaming culture. As we reflect on past phases of gaming, the evolving nature of engagement suggests that todayโ€™s conversations about trophies may yield a more inclusive understanding of accomplishment in the future.