Objectives motivates players to engage in a gameplay to achieve the goal of the game. Objectives have to be attainable but still challenging.

Here are some examples of common objectives in games (from Game Design Workshop textbook):

• Capture. Players have to avoid getting captured or killed while destroying some opponent properties (commonly some form of terrain or units).
• Chase. Players have to elude or catch an opponent.
• Race. Players have to reach a goal before anyone else does.
• Alignment. Players have to align their pieces in a spatial or conceptual configuration.
• Rescue or Escape. Players have to get some defined units or items to safety without being compromised.
• Forbidden Act. Players have to get the opponents to break the rules or to abandon a strategy.
• Construction. Players have to construct, maintain, or manage game objects.
• Exploration. Players have to explore unknown game areas.
• Solution. Players have to solve a problem or puzzle (sometimes before the opponents solve it).
• Outwit. Players have to gain and use knowledge to outwit their opponents.