Overview
In the most general sense, a quest is a "hunt for a specific outcome", in contrast to simply winning a game. Typical quests involve killing a set number of creatures or collecting a list of specific items. Some quests may take only a few minutes or hours to complete, while others may take several days or weeks. Often, the larger the reward, the longer the quest takes to finish, and it is common for a quest to require characters to have met a certain set of pre-conditions before they are allowed to begin. Questing is a tool used in role-playing games to avoid putting players in a position where they only perform a repetitive action, such as killing creatures. Players may be performing this activity in order to gain new skills and progress to new areas, or to gain in-game money in order to buy new items, such as armor and equipment. This process, commonly known as "Common quest types
Kill quests
A ''kill quest'' sends the character out to kill either a specific number of named creatures, or a specific NPC (non-player character). These types of quests often require the character to bring back proof of their work, such as trophies, or body parts (boar tusks, wolf pelts, etc.).Combo quests
The ''combo quest'' requires a player to attack certain enemies or structures with a combination of attacks until the required number ofDelivery quests
Another type of quest is the ''delivery quest'', also known as a FedEx quest or fetch-carry quest. This involves the character being sent to deliver an item from one location to another. Sometimes, the character may need to collect the item first, instead of being handed the item to deliver when starting the quest. These quests are made challenging by asking the character to journey through unfamiliar or dangerous terrain, sometimes while facing a time limit.Gather quests
''Gather quests'', also known as collection quests or fetch quests, require a character to collect a number of items. These can either be gathered from a location or environment, or require the character to kill creatures in order to collect the required items. The quest may also require the character to collect a number of different items, for example to assemble a device.Escort quests
The ''Escort quest'' is a combination of killing enemies to maintain the well-being of a non-player character (NPC), while exploring an area alongside that NPC. A typical escort quest would involve protecting a character as he or she moves through an enemy-infested area. A majority of the time, the quest will demand the player to slay multiple enemies to ensure the safety of the NPC.Walker, Jill. "A Network of Quests in World of Warcraft." Second Person: Role-Playing and Story in Games and Playable Media. 2007 308. Escort quests can be beneficial, forcing the players to focus on a particular area in order to play out a scene or reveal a section of the plot. Escort quests can also be used to funnel a character from one location to another, leading the player along a route or path. However, problems with this type of quest can occur if theSyntax quests
A phenomenon unique to text-based games, syntax quests depend on guessing the correct syntax to use to carry out a (typically simple) operation.Hybrid quests
Elements from the above types can be combined to make more complex quests. For example, a quest could require that the player find the parts needed to assemble a specific weapon (Gather Quest), and then use these parts to kill a specific foe (Kill quest). Hybrid quests may also include puzzles and riddles.Quest chains
A ''quest chain'' is a group of quests that are completed in sequence. Quest chains are also known as ''quest lines''. Completion of each quest is a prerequisite to beginning the next quest in the chain. Quests usually increase in difficulty as a player progresses through the chain. The quests typically reveal a single plotline in stages, where events during the stages of the plotline explain the reason or reasons for the different quests. Quest chains can also start with opening or ''breadcrumb'' quests, in order to encourage characters to journey to a new area, where further elements of the quest chain are revealed. Through mechanisms like these, the setting of a particular location is explained to the player, with the plot or storyline being disclosed as the character progresses.Mission types
* Escort-based Mission: The player(s) have to escort another character to a set location protecting them from incoming enemies. * Combat-based Mission: The player(s) must eliminate a certain number of (or all) enemies. * Rescue-based Mission: The player(s) must rescue another character from waves of enemies and escape. * Collect-based Mission: The player(s) must obtain a certain number of (or all) items. *Delivery-based Mission: The player(s) must deliver a specific item from one location to another location. Sometimes, the player must collect the item first, instead of being handed the item to deliver. * Pursuit-based Mission: The player(s) have to pursue and assassinate (or capture) the enemy. Sometimes, the player(s) must escape from incoming enemies by remaining unseen. * Boss-based Mission: The player(s) must assassinate the main boss character. * Defence-based Mission: The player(s) have to protect a stationary object or character from incoming enemies. * Stealth-based Mission: The player(s) must sneak through an area infested with enemies without being spotted. Sometimes, the player(s) must follow a non-playable character to a set location. * Time-based Mission: The player(s) have a set amount of time to complete a mission. * Destroy-based Mission: The player(s) must destroy a certain number of (or all) objects. * Race-based Mission: The player must race a number of laps (circuit) or (sprints) against other players or AI racers. * Search-based Mission: The player(s) must locate a particular object or character, usually as a prelude to another mission. * QTE-based Mission: The player must press (or tap) a correct button in a short period of time, usually as a cinematic scene.See also
*References
{{Video game gameplay MUD terminology Role-playing game terminology Video game terminology