Let's dive deeper into progression as one of the factors to consider when balancing a game - or as I like to call it, the "leveling up" of your game design skills. Progression, in the simplest terms, is how quickly players move through the game - like a marathon runner on steroids. And just like a marathon runner, if you go too slow, players will lose interest and fall asleep, but if you go too fast, they'll burn out and quit. So, it's important to find that sweet spot, the Goldilocks zone of progression.

There are different ways to adjust progression in a game, such as:

• Leveling up: This is the rate at which players gain levels, it can be adjusted to make the game more or less difficult. Think of it like a game of Jenga, the more levels you add, the more unstable the game becomes.
• Quest progression: This is the rate at which players complete quests and objectives, it can be adjusted to make the game more or less difficult. It's like a game of hide and seek, the more quests you add, the harder it is for players to find them.
• Unlockables: This is the rate at which players unlock new abilities, weapons, or items, it can be adjusted to make the game more or less difficult. It's like a game of Tetris, the more blocks you have, the harder it is to fit them together.
• Difficulty settings: This is the option to change the progression of the game, it allows players to choose a progression that suits their skill level. Just like a game of Pac-Man, the more ghosts you add, the harder it is to survive.

When designing progression, it's important to consider the target audience of the game and adjust the progression accordingly. A game that has a slow progression will not be engaging for experienced players, while a game that has a fast progression will be frustrating for casual players. It's also important to test the game with players and gather feedback to make sure that the game is well-balanced in terms of progression.

Progression is a key factor in game design and it's important to design it in a way that is balanced, engaging and it should enhance the player's sense of immersion. By providing players with a variety of progression options and adjusting the game accordingly, you can make the game experience more fun and challenging. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good challenge? It's like trying to fit all the groceries in one shopping bag, it's a game of Tetris all over again. So, let's make sure to keep the progression in check, and let the players enjoy the game without feeling like they're stuck in an endless cycle of Groundhog Day.