Meta vs. Progression in Games: What’s the Difference?

Meta vs. Progression in Games: What’s the Difference?

These two concepts often get mixed up, but they serve different purposes.

1. Meta
Meta refers to anything that motivates players outside of direct gameplay advantages.

↳ Think of cosmetic items, skins, storylines, or leaderboards.
↳ Meta keeps players engaged but doesn’t change how the game is played

2. Progression
Progression, on the other hand, directly affects gameplay.

↳ Leveling up, unlocking abilities, or gaining in-game power-ups, etc.
↳ These rewards help players advance and unlock new gameplay experiences.

3. There are also cases where Meta and Progression overlap.

↳ For example, unlocking a new character may offer cool visuals and a backstory (meta) while also giving new abilities (progression).

Both are crucial for player engagement but serve different roles.