In games it is easy to see that we are making progress we level up unlock new items and get more resources.
We feel like we are moving ahead because we can see that we are getting better this is what most people mean when they talk about progress there is something else that people do not think about as much progression.
The difference between progress and progression is really important progress is when we get better at something because our numbers are going up or progression is when we have experiences and things change.
At first progress and progression seem like the thing.
For example when we play Pixels we start by learning the basics like farming and managing resources.
As time goes on we get faster and better at these things.
Our routine becomes smoother we can do things more efficiently that is progress but we have to ask ourselves.
Is the game really are we just getting better at playing it the same way?
If the game is still the same then we are not really progressing we are just getting better at doing the things.
The Comfort of Doing the Same Thing.
One reason we like to do the things over and over is that it feels good.
When we do something times and get better at it our brain thinks we are improving we feel like we are in control we can do things easily.
Pixels is a game that makes it easy for us to do the things over and over.
It helps us get into a routine and feel like we are good at the game.
Feeling comfortable can be a problem.
If a game is too easy to play it can stop us from progressing we might feel like we are moving forward really we are just doing the same things over and over just faster and more efficiently.
Where Real Progression Starts
Real progression happens when something changes not when we get better at something but when we have new experiences.
It happens when we do things differently try things instead of doing the same old things.
Break our own habits.
In words progression requires us to try new things and change.
This is not always easy.
Because games are designed to be stable progression requires change Pixels is a game that's in the middle of this on one side it has a routine that rewards us for doing the things on the side it is part of a bigger world that is still changing and evolving.
This creates a situation where progression is not always easy we have to make it happen ourselves.
The Risk of Getting Confused
If we think that progress and progression are the thing we might feel stuck even if we are doing more things this is not a problem with the game it is a problem with how we play games.
We tend to get better at things before we try things.
If we want to keep playing a game for a long time we need to have new experiences and feel like we are discovering new things.
A Bigger View
This idea is not about Pixels it is about all digital games it shows us a pattern in games where games are designed to keep us playing but not always to change and evolve with us.
The new Web3 world has the potential to change this because it is not a world it is a world that is always changing and evolving.
It has things like ownership and economy and community-driven dynamics these things can create ways for us to progress if they are designed and used correctly.
Pixels might seem like a game but it makes us think about how we measure progress in digital games.
Are we really moving forward?
Are we just getting better at doing the same things?
Because in the end real growth is not about doing things it is about becoming a different person.