The Achievement Unlocked meme traces its roots back to the introduction of the Gamerscore system on Xbox Live in 2005. Whenever a player completed a specific task in a game, a distinct gray and green notification would pop up on the screen accompanied by a signature sound. Internet users quickly adopted this visual style to commemorate real-world accomplishments, ranging from serious milestones like graduating college to humorous feats like finally finishing a long book. The meme typically features a notification bar graphic paired with a brief, punchy description of the achievement, making it a universal symbol for gaming-inspired success and relatable digital humor.