Ensure side quests enhance the main narrative by tying them to world-building, character development, or thematic depth, keeping their tone and stakes consistent with the core story, and designing them to reward exploration without overshadowing the main plot’s urgency or emotional arc.

Assuming that we're designing an RPG, I'd keep the side quest challenging to scale with the player's level, I'll make sure to reward players with something they're more likely to appreciate( Like a large amount of XP, cool items, new abilities, ability upgrades, etc.), and I'll make sure that the side quest is not too time-consuming so that the player can return to the main quest without spending too much time on a side quest. I'll also keep the number of side quests in control, to avoid repetitiveness and connect them to NPC from the main quest, to add depth to the game world. Adding a variety of activities( like engaging with various combinations of gameplay mechanics) is also a good thing to keep in mind when designing a side quest.

To ensure side quests enhance the main narrative without overshadowing it, I’d leverage narrative hierarchy and pacing. Side quests should complement the core story, providing depth and character development without diverging from primary themes. Using modular narrative design, I can create side quests that run parallel to the main story, offering lore, character backstory, and world-building, while remaining optional and secondary. Side quests should be triggered by dynamic narrative events, activating when appropriate. Their rewards should offer incremental progression, supporting the player’s journey. Branching dialogue and player choice keep side quests engaging while ensuring they don’t detract from the main storyline’s urgency.

Side quests should complement your main narrative by exploring different facets of your world and characters without overshadowing the core story. Keep their scope contained—if a side quest feels more compelling than your main quest, either trim it or strengthen your main narrative. Design these quests to reinforce your game's themes while providing contrasting emotional experiences. Make rewards meaningful but proportional, and ensure side characters occasionally reference main plot events to maintain connection. The best side quests feel like rewarding detours that add depth and context, making players more invested in your world when they return to the main storyline.

Missões secundárias devem expandir o mundo sem ofuscar a história principal. Para isso, é essencial conectá-las ao lore, oferecer recompensas significativas, criar NPCs cativantes, equilibrar o ritmo e garantir variedade. Assim, elas enriquecem a experiência sem quebrar a imersão.

Side quests should fall into 1of 2 categories: 1) Add extra context and character moments that enhance the main story 2) Low stakes and just a fun escape from the main game. Both work as a deviation from the main plot, and can work depending on the game and the core mechanics.

I ensure side quests enhance the main narrative by making them thematically relevant, reinforcing world-building, and providing meaningful character interactions. They should feel like natural extensions of the world rather than distractions, offering lore, character development, or unique gameplay challenges that deepen immersion. To avoid overshadowing the main story, I balance their complexity and rewards, ensuring they complement rather than outshine key plot moments. Well-crafted side quests enrich the experience by giving players agency, expanding the world’s depth, and offering varied pacing without diverting focus from the core narrative.