> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://devdocs.xbox.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# XAG 109: Objective clarity

> Always let the player know what they're supposed to be working toward — with task lists, progress trackers, waypoints, and narrative recaps.

## Goal

Ensure players always know what goals or objectives they're supposed to be working toward at any point during gameplay.

## Overview

Remembering current objectives is hard for many reasons — memory or attention conditions, distractibility, or just not having played the game in a while. Every player benefits from being able to look up:

* What they should do next
* How far they've come
* What the story so far is

## Scoping questions

* Does progress require completing tasks (visit locations, talk to NPCs, take specific actions)?
* Does progress require collection (`4/4 keys`, crafting prerequisites)?
* How many things must the player remember at once, and for how long?
* Is a long ongoing narrative critical?
* Are the environments large and complex?

## Implementation guidelines

### Reviewable tasks and objectives

* Players can review current tasks and objectives at any time. Descriptions are clear and prescriptive (`Unblock the obstructed laser`, not `Fix the thing`).
* Include a **log-style list** of everything completed to date, ideally separated by main vs side quests.

### Directional guidance

* Offer optional **waypoint or path markers**, hints, and directional cues when the player has made no progress after a period of time.
* Guidance features may be included as part of difficulty presets.

### Progress descriptions

* Give clear numeric progress toward prerequisites (`15/20 skulls collected`, `3 of 5 hidden switches found`) plus overall area-completion percentages.

### Interruption control

* Notifications and side-quest prompts not related to the current objective can be **postponed or suppressed** by the player.

### Narrative recap

* Provide a way to **revisit the game's narrative** — replay cutscenes, view a written summary, or auto-show a "story so far" on launch.

### Descriptive saves

* Save files include a **screenshot, timestamp, location, and brief summary** of progress and objectives.

### Tutorials

* Provide gameplay tutorials that explain or demonstrate core mechanics.
  * Tutorials are **interactive** (playing through mechanics in a real or simulated context) or provided as **video** demonstrations.
  * Static control-scheme screens are **not** tutorials.
  * Tutorials are available on-demand at any point in the game, even after completion.
  * Provide **subtitles** for tutorials with voiceover, narration, or dialogue.

## Potential player impact

| Player                                               | Impacted |
| ---------------------------------------------------- | :------: |
| Players with low vision                              |     ✔    |
| Players with cognitive or learning disabilities      |     ✔    |
| Players with limited reach and strength              |     ✔    |
| Players with limited manual dexterity                |     ✔    |
| Casual players, young players, players new to gaming |     ✔    |

## Resources

* [Indicate / allow reminder of current objectives during gameplay](http://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com/indicate-allow-reminder-of-current-objectives-during-gameplay)
* [If using a long overarching narrative, provide summaries of progress](http://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com/if-using-a-long-overarching-narrative-provide-summaries-of-progress)
* [Microsoft: Enable gaming accessibility goals for gamers](https://youtu.be/0HTvHj8ZCjA)


## Related topics

- [XBOX Accessibility Guidelines (XAG)](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines.md)
- [XAG 104: Subtitles and captions](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-104-subtitles-captions.md)
- [XAG 101: Text display](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-101-text-display.md)
- [XAG 103: Additional channels for visual and audio cues](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-103-additional-cues.md)
- [XAG 106: Screen narration](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-106-screen-narration.md)