Game System Breakdown – Goals

The goal is the endpoint of the game, and achieving the goal is the driving force for players to engage in the game.

A game without a goal is more like a toy. For example, in Minecraft, the Creative mode differs from the Survival mode in that players are not under the pressure of survival, there are no gravity restrictions, no material demands, and they can freely generate objects, fly at will, and engage in unrestricted creativity. In this case, when players are playing in Creative mode, it feels more like using a modelling software or playing with LEGO, experiencing the joy of construction. At this point, the game becomes more like “software” or a “toy,” rather than a “game.”

For the same game, goals can differ on macro and micro levels. The more micro the goal, the easier it is to achieve, and the faster it provides feedback to the player. Therefore, micro goals allow players to quickly understand the strengths and weaknesses of their actions and strategies within the game. Macro goals, on the other hand, point players in the direction of progress within the game and provide long-term motivation for playing. A game lacking micro goals may leave players feeling lost, making the game’s objectives seem vague; while a game lacking macro goals may result in players losing their reason to return to the game, preventing them from becoming immersed in it for a long time. Macro and micro goals complement each other, and their combination motivates players to keep playing the game.

In addition to the distinction between macro and micro goals, goals can also be divided into explicit goals and implicit goals. Explicit goals are those clearly communicated to the player by the game system. Implicit goals are generated by the game system through the design of game mechanics. Game designers don’t explicitly tell players about these implicit goals; instead, they guide players to naturally establish them. Both explicit and implicit goals have their pros and cons. Explicit goals are like clear finish lines, which are more straightforward and easier for players to understand compared to implicit goals.

However, too many explicit goals can turn the game’s motivation into pressure. Implicit goals, on the other hand, resemble an ultimate state—they are not easily noticed by players but can subtly provide motivation, even shaping the players’ actions into habits over time. Therefore, using and combining both types of goals appropriately ensures that players remain immersed in the game.