Trophies and achievements add an extra layer of fun to gaming. They give us a list of goals to check off above and beyond simply finishing the game. For completionists and checklist fans, ticking these off is an essential part of the gaming experience. But generally speaking, most video game trophies and achievements give you nothing but a virtual visual that you’ve completed a task. Now, PlayStation is trying something new, offering exclusive merch that you can only buy if you obtain certain PS5 trophies.
Recently, PlayStation revealed its new Ghost Rewards program. This exclusive line of merch for Ghost of Tsushima can only be purchased by players with certain trophies unlocked in their associated PlayStation account. Sony isn’t the first gaming-adjacent brand to do something like this, as Destiny 2 has a similar model for certain branded products. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting move on Sony’s part, and one that has gamers feeling divided.
So, what exactly do you unlock the opportunity to buy with the new PlayStation Ghost Rewards program? Currently, there are two different items available for pre-order for those gamers who have met the achievements required. The first item in the Ghost Rewards program is a Ghost of Tsushima “Living Legend” Platinum Trophy pin. The pin itself costs $25, and gamers will need to have completed the Living Legend in-game trophy in Ghost of Tsushima to be able to pre-order it. That trophy won’t be easy, either, as it’s unlocked by obtaining all trophies in Ghost of Tsushima. The second exclusive item in the line is a Ghost of Tsushima “Mono No Aware” Gold Trophy T-shirt. This one costs $30 USD and can only be purchased if your linked PlayStation account has the Mono No Aware trophy from the game.
Both items are available for pre-order now. To be eligible to purchase them, you’ll need to unlock the required in-game trophies for Ghost of Tsushima no later than December 31st, 2025. From there, you’ve got another month to actually buy the items, which are available for purchase until January 31st, 2026. At just $25 and $30 USD, this exclusive merch is pretty reasonably priced, though there’s also the cost of time in-game to unlock the trophies. However, if you’re a big Ghost of Tsushima fan, chances are you’ve already done so or were working your way towards them anyway.
For some gamers, the idea of completing in-game tasks to unlock the “privilege” of handing money to a company can feel like a bit of a cash grab. However, not everyone feels this way. For some, getting merch that signifies a particular achievement in a game makes it feel that much more special. That’s the case with items like Warframe level pins or Destiny 2 merch. Others are excited to have a physical representation of the hard work that goes into earning virtual trophies. And then, there’s the anti-scalper measure of it all, since this prevents people from easily buying out all the Ghost merch without sinking actual hours into the games.
Overall, the sentiment is surprisingly positive towards this move from Sony. For now, the rewards are only available for Ghost of Tsushima, but it’s always possible this is a pilot that could be expanded to other games if it goes well. Though the name certainly ties into Ghost of Tsushima and the upcoming Ghost of Yotei, the rewards program itself has a more general description that suggests potential plans to expand.
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