BUSYWORK

Actions which do not lead to meaningful, measurable and satisfying feedback for the player. Busywork is action that contributes nothing to the experience of a game other than further time spent inside its systems. Activities classified this way could usually be automated or removed with little to no effect on the game itself.

“Assassin’s Creed, with its penchant for pointless trinkets like flags and feathers, is often associated with video game busywork.”