Achievement unlocked: Microsoft gamifies development

Game-like achievements are now available to developers who use Microsoft Visual Studio.

Through the Visual Studio plug-in, devs can unlock up to 32 achievements and compete on a leader board based on how they use the tool, what code they write, and its level of sophistication.

Badges that can be unlocked on the integrated development environment fall into six categories, including Customising Visual Studio, Don’t try this at home, Good housekeeping and Just for fun.

“Visual Studio Achievements is both playful and pragmatic,” read a statement on the official Microsoft blog.

“Built on ideas from the developers themselves, it is intended to be a humorous community-building game as well as a path to the many, and, to some, unknown features offered in Visual Studio.

“This is one of several initiatives Microsoft is undertaking to recognise developers for their tireless and indispensable work.”