Provide Players with a Range of Objectives
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When players begin playing your game, they should be able to follow clearly defined objectives that present a challenge. These objectives may be:
Assigned by the game itself.
If an objective is assigned by the game, players should be aware of it at all times. This information must be easily accessible, and at least one of the following methods should be implemented:
The current objectives are continuously displayed on the screen.
The current objectives appear upon pressing a designated key.
The current objectives are shown within a dedicated objectives menu.
For further information on how to display objectives effectively, refer to the Objectives section.
To maintain player engagement, objectives should be varied. Avoid objectives that are boring, repetitive, frustrating, or unclear, as such characteristics may quickly cause players to lose their sense of immersion and flow.
Below is a list of common objective types frequently encountered in games:
Acquire
The objective is to obtain something, either through gifting or purchase. Players may acquire:
Equipment or gear.
Territories.
Units (in strategy games).
Skills.
Experience levels.
Align
This objective requires players to bring multiple elements into alignment or a specific configuration.
Be the First
The goal is to be the first to accomplish something ahead of other players or opponents, such as:
Reaching a target score.
Finishing a race.
Constructing a building.
Destroying a specified object.
Annihilating an opponent.
Bring
The objective involves moving someone or something to a specific location or condition. This may include:
Delivering a unique item to the character who requested it.
Returning lost property to its rightful owner.
Escorting a non-player character to a safe location.
Additionally, it can involve achieving a particular state, such as:
Bringing an end to a conflict.
Restoring peace to a region.
Capture
The goal is to apprehend and secure a specific character or animal, or to take control of a location. This may include:
Capturing a high-value individual.
Securing a rare animal for exhibition.
Occupying enemy headquarters or strategic points.
Chase
This objective involves pursuing a target with the intent of catching them. Examples include:
Chasing a thief who has stolen something significant.
Pursuing a vehicle carrying important adversaries.
Collect or Gather
The objective is to obtain multiple items of a similar type. This can include:
Gathering resources for construction of items, vehicles, or buildings.
Collecting medals, badges, trophies, magazines, or similar collectibles.
Construct or Build
The goal is to assemble something using one or more materials. Players might construct:
A powerful army to defeat enemies.
A custom vehicle to win a race.
A wonder in a strategy game to gain a strategic advantage.
Defend
This objective focuses on protection against attack. Players may be required to defend:
Territories.
Settlements.
Non-player characters.
Destroy or Eliminate
The goal is to terminate an entity or demolish an object. Examples include:
Eliminating an enemy boss, traitor, or faction members.
Destroying infrastructure such as bridges or tunnels.
Disabling enemy vehicle columns.
Escape
The objective is to flee from a location or from pursuers. This can include:
Escaping from structures such as bridges, tunnels, or vehicles.
Evading pursuers such as law enforcement agents, predators, or assassins.
Explore
The goal is to discover or investigate a new area. Players might explore:
A district, area, or zone.
A building or complex.
Get to a Destination
The objective is to travel to a specific location to perform an action, such as:
Gathering intelligence from a contact.
Infiltrating a building to retrieve secret documents.
Placing mines at a crossroads to halt enemy tank advancement.
Rescue
This objective involves extracting someone or something from danger. This may include:
Rescuing allied units.
Saving endangered animals.
Freeing hostages.