Assign Objectives of Varying Significance
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There are different goals in games players want to reach. Sometimes players want to follow the game’s story, other times players want to beat opponents in a short match. Whatever their goal is, there will be objectives to accomplish in order to reach their goal.
Primary Objectives
Primary objectives are the central goals that define a game’s core progression and narrative arc. These objectives drive the main storyline, set the player’s long-term direction, and structure the overall gameplay experience. Whether it’s defeating a final boss, saving a kingdom, or solving a mystery, primary objectives serve as the backbone of most video games.
Primary objectives are the main goals that must be achieved in order for players to progress through the game. When designing a game, you may define one or multiple primary objectives. However, it is not mandatory to include any primary objectives if you prefer a more open-ended structure. In such cases, player progression must be supported through other design elements, such as level design or a (diverse) set of available player actions.
Example:
In Townscaper, the player is provided with only three options: to build, to destroy, or to select colors from a palette. The game then procedurally generates settlements on a distorted grid, resulting in organically shaped structures without the need for explicit objectives.
If you do choose to implement primary objectives, players will need to take a series of actions to accomplish them. These actions are also considered objectives. However, explicitly listing each step may not always be desirable, as it can reduce the game’s challenge and make players feel as though they are merely following predetermined instructions rather than engaging in discovery.
In Stronghold Crusader 2, the primary objective in a given scenario may be to construct a castle. The game does not prescribe how this should be done, thereby allowing players the freedom to approach the task in a way that suits their own strategic preferences.
Credit: Firefly Studios. Screenshot captured by the author.
When designing missions and quests, you should include only those objectives that assist players in completing them. Therefore, consider adding one or more objectives when the following conditions apply:
Players do not know what to do.
You aim to teach players how your game works and what aspects are important.
You want players to perform certain actions in a specific sequence in order to deliver the intended narrative or gameplay experience.
Why Primary Objectives Are Useful
Provide Structure and Direction
Primary objectives help guide players through the game world by offering a clear sense of purpose and direction. They prevent players from feeling lost or aimless, especially in large or open-world games.
Example:
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the primary objective to defeat Calamity Ganon gives the player a clear end goal, even as they explore freely.
Motivate Progression
These objectives act as milestones that motivate players to continue playing. They offer a sense of accomplishment when completed and help pace the overall game progression.
Example:
In God of War, the primary objective to scatter the protagonist’s wife’s ashes across the highest peak drives the emotional and gameplay progression of the entire game.
Enable Narrative Development
The primary objectives are usually tied to the main plot, allowing developers to unfold the story over time. They create opportunities for character development, plot twists, and emotional engagement.
Example:
In The Last of Us, the central objective to escort Ellie across the country slowly reveals deeper story layers, character bonds, and moral dilemmas.
Establish Stakes and Challenge
A strong primary objective helps define the stakes of the game world, what’s at risk, and why the player should care. This investment makes challenges more meaningful.
Example:
In Mass Effect, the objective to stop the Reapers from exterminating galactic life gives context to every decision and mission.
Shape Gameplay Mechanics
Primary objectives often influence the design of game systems, such as combat, crafting, exploration, or puzzle-solving. These mechanics are typically introduced and escalated in difficulty through the progression of primary objectives.
Example:
In Portal, the objective to escape the test chambers leads players through a structured sequence of puzzles that gradually teach and challenge their understanding of the portal gun.
How Primary Objectives Can Hurt the Game
Overly Linear Progression
If primary objectives are too rigid or restrictive, they can limit player freedom and exploration. This can make the game feel like a series of checkpoints rather than a dynamic experience.
Example:
In some RPGs, the strong focus on linear story progression sometimes limits exploration.
Narrative Disconnection
When gameplay mechanics do not align with the story or the urgency of the primary objective, it creates a disconnect that can break immersion.
Example:
In some RPGs, the player’s urgent quest is at odds with the ability to freely spend countless hours doing something else, such as building settlements or engaging in unrelated side content.
Pressure and Burnout
If the main objective feels too intense or prolonged without meaningful variation, players can experience fatigue or anxiety about progress.
Example:
In some Survival Horror titles, an overwhelming primary objective with scarce resources can lead to frustration if not balanced with moments of relief or player agency.
Undermined by Poor Pacing
Bad pacing can make the primary objective feel either too rushed or unnecessarily dragged out. This can reduce emotional impact or lead to disinterest.
Example:
In some open-world games, the sheer length of the main story arc filled with filler missions can dilute the urgency and emotional payoff of the main goal.
Overemphasis on One Playstyle
Some primary objectives may require very specific skills or approaches, which can alienate players who prefer alternative playstyles (stealth vs. action, dialogue vs. combat, etc.).
Example:
In some RPGs, while multiple playstyles are supported, certain mission structures still favor stealth over direct action, potentially limiting how players approach objectives.
Secondary Objectives
Secondary objectives, often referred to as side quests, optional tasks, or bonus missions, are non-essential goals that players can complete alongside the main (primary) objectives of a game. These objectives typically provide additional context, rewards, or gameplay variety, and while they are not required to finish the game’s central narrative or core progression, they play a critical role in shaping player experience.
Secondary objectives, when designed thoughtfully, can enrich the gameplay experience by offering variety, depth, and flexibility. They are most effective when they support the main objectives both narratively and mechanically, without disrupting pacing or overwhelming the player. Balancing their quantity, quality, and integration into the game world is essential to maintaining a coherent and engaging experience.
Why Secondary Objectives Are Useful
Enhance Game Depth and Immersion
Secondary objectives expand the game world, allowing developers to flesh out lore, side characters, and environments. They often provide backstories or narrative branches that enrich the main plot.
Example:
In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, side quests frequently delve into the history of towns or NPCs, enhancing the emotional depth and complexity of the world.
Reward Exploration
They encourage players to explore off-the-beaten-path areas, rewarding them with loot, experience, or hidden storylines.
Example:
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, players can find shrines and hidden quests by thoroughly exploring the environment.
Provide Additional Challenges
Secondary objectives can test specific skills or mechanics in isolation from the main game path, offering variety and encouraging mastery.
Example:
In Assassin’s Creed games, optional stealth challenges or time trials provide targeted tests of stealth and agility skills.
Support Different Playstyles
These objectives allow players to tailor their experience. A combat-focused player might enjoy battle-heavy side missions, while a narrative-driven player might seek dialogue-heavy quests.
Example:
In Mass Effect, players can choose which side missions to pursue based on preferred gameplay or story outcomes.
Extend Gameplay Time and Replay Value
They significantly increase total playtime and encourage revisits to the game, especially when they offer alternative outcomes or branching stories.
Example:
In Red Dead Redemption 2, players can engage in optional hunting, bounty missions, and stranger encounters that make the world feel dynamic.
How Secondary Objectives Support Primary Objectives
Resource and Power Progression
Secondary objectives often provide items, skills, or upgrades that make it easier to complete primary objectives.
Example:
In Horizon Zero Dawn, completing side quests can earn better gear or crafting materials, making main story missions less difficult.
World-Building that Reinforces the Main Story
These objectives can offer alternate perspectives or additional context that clarify the motivations behind primary objectives.
Example:
In Cyberpunk 2077, side quests like Judy or Panam’s storylines deepen the understanding of faction dynamics and the broader stakes of the main narrative.
Emotional Investment
Engaging with secondary characters in side quests often increases players’ emotional investment in the world, heightening the impact of later primary events.
Example:
In Final Fantasy VII Remake, completing side content for residents of the slums enhances the emotional weight when tragedy strikes those areas in the main plot.
How Secondary Objectives Can Hurt the Game
Disruption of Narrative Pacing
Excessive or poorly timed secondary objectives can dilute narrative urgency, especially in stories with time-sensitive stakes.
Example:
In certain role-playing games, the central narrative often centers on an urgent or critical situation. However, players are frequently able to spend numerous hours engaging in activities such as constructing settlements or exploring the game world at their leisure. This freedom, while enriching in terms of gameplay, can significantly diminish the emotional urgency and narrative tension intended by the main storyline.
Overwhelming or Unclear Prioritization
If secondary objectives are not clearly differentiated from primary objectives, players may feel overwhelmed or unsure of what’s essential.
Example:
In some open-world RPGs, quest logs can become cluttered with dozens of tasks, making it difficult to stay focused.
Quality Inconsistency
If secondary content is poorly written or lacks engaging gameplay, it may feel like filler, diminishing the overall quality of the game.
Example:
In some open-world RPGs, side missions are criticized for being repetitive and unmemorable compared to the main story arcs.
Disproportionate Rewards
If side content offers better rewards than the main game path, players may feel forced to engage with optional tasks to progress effectively, which can lead to burnout.
Example:
In some MMORPGs, side grinding becomes almost mandatory for advancing the main story, making the “optional” label misleading.