Fateless Podcast Recap: EASY = BORING! Game Progression Balance is KEY!
Progression is one of the most critical elements in any successful game—how fast players move, when they hit walls, and what keeps them coming back. In this episode of the Fateless Podcast, Brad and Suzi sat down with Watcher of Realms content creator Kory to explore what Godforge can learn from other games when it comes to designing a satisfying progression system.
Podcast Summary
One major insight: pacing matters. Games like Watcher of Realms offer legendaries early, creating instant dopamine hits. But that can backfire, raising player expectations to unsustainable levels. Conversely, titles like Raid: Shadow Legends made players wait longer, giving value to early game rares and epics. Kory emphasized the importance of ensuring viability across all rarities—not just the top-tier heroes. “If every unit can do something meaningful, even minor crowd control, progression becomes more strategic and less pay-to-win.”
Another lesson is knowing when to challenge the player. Games that wait too long to introduce difficulty risk boring players, while those that introduce a wall too early risk losing them entirely. Resource management was another hot topic. Gold should neither be too abundant nor too scarce. A well-balanced economy allows players to feel a sense of growth without punishing experimentation.
Ultimately, the message is clear: balance early excitement with long-term engagement. Smart hero design, thoughtful pacing, and rewarding resource systems can make or break a player’s experience. For Godforge, learning from the progression systems of past games might be the key to building something truly compelling. Catch this great conversation by heading over to the podcast video and be sure to check out Kory’s YouTube Channel; hopefully we’ll see him cover Godforge in the future!
