Optional tasks

Other (objects, etc.) concept

Player has optional tasks they may perform for one reason or another.

402
games
33
platforms

Alternate names: Side quests, Optional objectives, Secondary objectives

This is NOT for things the player can do if they choose to or not (e.g. use stealth or not) but rather someone else (e.g. NPC) asks them to do it (and the game somehow tracks this as separate deed).

Although often considered a defining trait of RPGs, there are plenty that do not have them (mainly older console RPGs), so tagging even RPGs is of some value.
See also: freelancing, task generator

Related:
* Experience: Deeds
* Character advancement: Deeds

Related: (sources for the tasks)
* Neutral NPCs
* Safe zone

The first Optional tasks video game was released on December 1982.

Deep Silver, Ubisoft and Bethesda Softworks published most of these games.

Parent group

Goals / objectives

Child groups

Task failure, Repeatable tasks, Secrets: Tasks

Platforms

Windows 168
Linux 83
X360 29
PS3 29
Mac OS X 23
PS4 8
MS-DOS 7
Mac OS Classic 5
PS 4
Android 4
Xbox 4
Xbox One 4
Switch 4
PS2 3
PS Vita 3
Pandora 3
GBC 2
BeOS 2
GBA 2
Internet Only 2
PS5 1
Nintendo DS 1
Xbox Series X 1
3DS 1
Atari 2600 1
OS/2 1
Wii U 1
GameCube 1
Dreamcast 1
BSD 1

By year

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