Can You Hide Games on Your Trophy List? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you can hide games on your trophy list, albeit with some platform-specific nuances. Whether you’re on PlayStation, Steam, or other gaming platforms, the ability to control the visibility of your gaming activity exists, though the methods and levels of control vary. This article dives deep into how to achieve this on various platforms and answers frequently asked questions to clarify the process.
Understanding the Need for Privacy in Gaming
In an age of connected gaming, many players appreciate the option to maintain some privacy regarding their gaming habits. There are several reasons why someone might want to hide games on their trophy list:
- Avoiding Spoilers: A game may have a hidden trophy that reveals key plot points. Hiding the game prevents accidental spoilers for others.
- Personal Preference: Some players simply prefer to keep their gaming activity private, whether from friends, family, or the wider online community.
- Preventing Judgment: People may have a diverse taste in games, and want to avoid judgement for games they think might seem silly or embarrassing.
- Account Sharing: In households where multiple people use the same account, hiding games can prevent confusion or unwanted insights into each other’s progress.
- Cleanliness and Organization: You may have tried a game and disliked it so much that you never want to see it again.
Hiding Games on PlayStation (PS4 & PS5)
PlayStation offers a straightforward method for hiding games from your trophy list and activity feed:
Steps to Hide Games on PS4 & PS5:
- Navigate to Settings: From the home screen, go to Settings.
- Access Users and Accounts: Select Users and Accounts.
- Go to Privacy: Choose Privacy.
- Customize Privacy Settings: Select View and Customize Your Privacy Settings.
- Hide Games: Look for an option like “Hide your games from other players” and select it.
- Choose Games to Hide: A list of your games will appear. Select the games you want to hide.
Hiding All Items:
On PS5, when hiding a game, you may see an option to “Hide All Items“. This is particularly useful for games with multiple versions (e.g., PS4 and PS5) or downloadable content, ensuring that all related items are hidden simultaneously.
Hiding Games on Steam
Steam also allows you to control the visibility of your games, but the approach differs from PlayStation.
Steps to Hide Games on Steam:
- Open Steam: Launch the Steam client and log in to your account.
- Edit Your Profile: Click on your profile name in the upper-right corner and select “Edit Profile“.
- Access Privacy Settings: Go to the “Privacy Settings” tab.
- Game Details Setting: Locate the “Game details” section.
- Set Visibility: Change the setting from “Public” to “Friends Only” or “Private” to restrict who can see your game list and activity.
Hiding Games Individually on Steam:
Steam also offers a way to hide games individually from your library:
- Go to Library: Launch the Steam client and log in to your account.
- Right-Click on Game: Right-click on a game from the list that you want to hide.
- Choose Manage: Select the Manage option.
- Choose Hide this game: Select the Hide this game option.
Hiding Games on Other Platforms
The availability of game-hiding features varies across different platforms. It’s always a good idea to consult the platform’s official documentation or support resources for specific instructions. The Games Learning Society, for example, might have insights or community discussions about privacy settings on various gaming platforms on their forums at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens when I hide a game on PlayStation?
When you hide a game on PlayStation, information about the game (including your trophies, activity, and “Now Playing” status) will not be visible to other players. It effectively removes the game from your public profile.
2. Will hiding a game delete my trophies?
No, hiding a game does not delete your trophies. The trophies still exist on your account; they are simply hidden from public view. You can unhide the game at any time, and your trophies will become visible again.
3. Can my friends still see what games I’m playing if I hide them?
On PlayStation, hiding games prevents friends from seeing your “Now Playing” status for those hidden titles. On Steam, setting your “Game details” to “Friends Only” or “Private” will restrict visibility accordingly.
4. How do I unhide a game on PlayStation?
To unhide a game on PlayStation, follow the same steps as hiding it. In the list of games, deselect the hidden games to make them visible again.
5. Can I hide specific trophies instead of the entire game?
Unfortunately, neither PlayStation nor Steam provides an option to hide individual trophies. The visibility setting applies to the entire game.
6. Does hiding a game affect my ability to earn trophies?
No, hiding a game only affects its visibility to others. You can still earn trophies as usual, even when the game is hidden.
7. If I hide a game, will it still appear in my activity feed?
Hiding a game on PlayStation prevents it from appearing in your activity feed for others. However, you may still see it in your own activity feed unless you specifically clear it.
8. Will hiding a game on Steam prevent it from showing up in my library?
No, hiding a game on Steam only affects its visibility to others and its presence in your Steam chat status. The game will still appear in your library.
9. Can I hide games on Xbox?
Xbox offers privacy settings that allow you to control who can see your game activity, but the specifics may vary depending on the console generation and system updates. Check your Xbox privacy settings for options to hide games or activities.
10. How often can I hide and unhide games?
You can hide and unhide games as often as you like. There are no restrictions on the number of times you can change the visibility settings.
11. If I hide a game, will it hide associated DLC or add-ons as well?
On PlayStation 5, using the “Hide All Items” option will hide associated DLC. For other platforms or if this option isn’t available, you may need to hide the base game and DLC separately.
12. Why are some trophies hidden in the first place?
Game developers often hide trophies to prevent story spoilers or to keep certain achievements a secret. This can add an element of surprise and discovery to the gameplay experience.
13. Can I hide my entire profile instead of just individual games?
Yes, many platforms offer the option to hide your entire profile, making all your activities and games invisible to others. This can be useful if you want a complete break from social gaming interactions.
14. How do I make my Steam profile completely private?
To make your Steam profile completely private, set all privacy settings (profile, game details, friends list, etc.) to “Private” in your Steam privacy settings.
15. Is hiding games a common practice?
Yes, many players utilize privacy settings to curate their online gaming presence and control who sees their activity. It’s a standard feature on most platforms and is widely used for various reasons.
Conclusion
The ability to hide games on your trophy list provides a valuable layer of privacy and control over your gaming experience. Whether you’re avoiding spoilers, maintaining a specific online persona, or simply preferring to keep your gaming habits private, the options are available on platforms like PlayStation and Steam. By understanding the specific steps and nuances of each platform, you can effectively manage your gaming visibility and enjoy your hobby on your own terms. If you’re interested in the broader impacts of gaming and privacy, exploring resources like the Games Learning Society can offer further insights.