What Do You Mean By "Progression?"

Smitch_59

I keep seeing folks use the term "progression" here on the forum, often in phrases like "vertical progression," "horizontal progression," "linear progression." I'm not sure what all these terms mean. I have a general feeling that it refers to some sense of improvement in one's character as one plays the game (i.e., levelling up, unlocking and improving skills), but beyond that, I really have no idea what folks are talking about.

Can someone more learned than I explain these terms to me? Or do they mean different things to different people?

Danikat

You're right about the general meaning, and about the specifics differing between people.

Progression is literally what it sounds like - making progress through a game. In some games that's such an obvious and straight-forward process it doesn't need much discussion, for example in a traditional platformer progression is completing one level and moving on to the next one. In a non-linear RPG it's a lot more complicated, but generally means anything which makes your character better. And as I'm sure you can imagine better is often subjective.

Vertical progression is anything which gives a direct improvement, like levelling up, gaining CP (if you can spend them) or getting equipment with higher stats. (Linear progession is a form of this where there's no choice, like levelling up - you can't choose whether you want to go from level 2 to level 3 or skip straight to 4, or what benefits you get as a result of gaining a level, you just follow the single pre-determined course.)

Horizontal progression is...anything else, but generally refers to things which give more options rather than a clear increase or replacement for something you already have. For example a new skill line which isn't more powerful than the ones we already have is a form of horizontal progression. It can also apply to cosmetics or things like emotes and mementos, things which let you customise your character and make them a better representation of who you want them to be but don't have any gameplay benefits. This is where you'll get the most debate about what is and is not progression, especially when it comes to cosmetics, because one person's desperately needed options are another person's idea of useless fluff with no use at all.

ForzaRammer

Most time refered to complete more pve content.

Ratzkifal

Vertical progression: your numbers are bigger now than they used to, enemies that used to be an issue are not an issue anymore

Horizontal progression: your enemies get stronger along side you, your arsenal keeps growing larger as you unlock new methods of attack, old enemies can be approached in new ways that completely change your experience

non-linear progression: as you progress, you get to choose options to further customize and enhance abilities to suit your needs, sometimes changing in power and sometimes in style, branching out into complex specialization options.

AlienatedGoat

Yeah the term is usually used like how Danikat explained. The other meaning of "progression" is in something like trials or vet dungeon progression, where you're in a group or guild that is literally progressing through content together.

BejaProphet

Danikat gave a pretty spot on answer.

Vertical progression you are gaining objectively better stats, abilities, or gear.

Horizontal progression you are progressing by gaining options. Those options are debatable as to whether they are better than you are already using.

Using gear as an example: vertical progression would be next dlc coming out with CP 200 gear. Horizontal is coming out with further CP 160 sets that are intended to be balanced.

Starlock

For the storytellers and role-players, this is the kind that matters most:

Narrative progression. The exposition of the tale of your character over time, including their life's accomplishments and how it changes them as a person along the way. Also includes (in RPGs where this is possible) how the environment changes in response to your character's action.

max_only

It’s either that or Campbell’s.

Sylvermynx

max_only wrote: »

It’s either that or Campbell’s.

*giggles*

Mr_Walker

Danikat wrote: »

Horizontal progression is...

Unadulterated marketing BS.