side quest
Bonus storyline task
A side quest is an optional mission or task in a video game that exists alongside the main storyline.
Players can choose to pursue side quests for additional rewards, world-building, or simply more gameplay, but completing them isn't required to finish the game.
The term has spread beyond gaming to describe any secondary pursuit or tangential goal in real life: I was supposed to be grocery shopping but went on a side quest to find the perfect houseplant.
Purpose-driven task
- objectivePurpose or goal
- bonus levelOptional unlockable game section
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
- unlockableCapable of being opened
completionist · collectible · hidden area · secret · minigame · NPC · checkpoint · save point
Reward beyond expectation
- extraAdditional, beyond necessary
- nonessentialNot required or needed
- supplementaryServing to complete
- ancillaryProviding additional support
add-on · peripheral · incidental · voluntary · discretionary · secondary · elective · skippable
Subordinate narrative strand
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
- world-buildingCreating fictional universes
- character developmentProtagonist's psychological growth
branching · storyline · arc · NPC · dialogue · choice · consequence · origin story
Thing diverting one's attention
- tangentLine touching curve once
- detourAlternate path around obstruction
- digressionVeering off topic
- rabbit holeHare's underground dwelling
procrastination · sidetrack · wandering · meandering · deviation · offshoot · interlude · break
mission
Purpose-driven task
- objectivePurpose or goal
- bonus levelOptional unlockable game section
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
unlockable · completionist · collectible · hidden area · secret · minigame · NPC · checkpoint · save point · respawn
bonus
Reward beyond expectation
- extraAdditional, beyond necessary
- nonessentialNot required or needed
- supplementaryServing to complete
ancillary · add-on · peripheral · incidental · voluntary · discretionary · secondary · elective · skippable · missable
subplot
Subordinate narrative strand
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
- world-buildingCreating fictional universes
character development · branching · storyline · arc · NPC · dialogue · choice · consequence · origin story
distraction
Thing diverting one's attention
- tangentLine touching curve once
- detourAlternate path around obstruction
- digressionVeering off topic
rabbit hole · procrastination · sidetrack · wandering · meandering · deviation · offshoot · interlude · break · diversion
- gamingvideo games, buff, games, PlayStation 4, gameplay
- game mechanicslevels, rules, cooldown, points, health points
- gameplaypower-up, level cap, save point, game over, tutorial level
- questsseeking, searching, epic journey, pursuing, journeying
- gaming lingoNPC, HP, GG, AFK, PvP
- game narrativestory, narrative, plot, storyline, dialogue tree