A useful first step when looking at gaming goals is to differentiate between goals of the character and goals of the player.
In Diablo Lord of Destruction the character could have a goal such as eliminating the evil creatures currently infesting the system of tunnels called “Den of Evil.” When the character accomplishes this task a skill level is given to the character as a reward.
What would the player’s goal be during all of this? Depends upon the player, and depends upon where the player is in his (or her) ladder of gaming experience.
Goals that a very new player might have could be mastering the controls, learning to move from place to place, and learning the weapon system. A beginning player will have many associated goals related to learning the basics of how the game works — the various skills for the character are, and what they do, learning where things are on the map, learning what quests are available for the character — basically learn the game.
Later, after the basics are handled, the player can move on to the next level of game play with goals such as: learning how to communicate in game, learning the interaction of different character types, learning the strengths and weaknesses of various characters and monsters.
Then even later along the game experience ladder the player can tackle even more lofty goals involving more advanced aspects of the game.
But where in this ladder would the spiritual gaming goals be found? Answer: Spiritual gaming goals and experience is along an entirely different ladder — separate from the normal goals that a player might pursue. Not higher, not lower, separate.
The good news: one does not have to wait until one becomes an elite game player before turning one’s attention to aspects of spiritual gaming.
The bad news: advances in the traditional aspects of gaming guarantee nothing when it comes to the spiritual gaming aspects of the game.They are separate paths. I know players that are nothing special when it comes to gaming in the traditional sense that happen to excel as participants in spiritual gaming. And I know players that are top of the ladder super elite players that are basically total newbies when it comes to spiritual gaming.