Add comprehensive level progression and difficulty scaling documentation
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knowledge-base/game-design/level-progression.md
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354
knowledge-base/game-design/level-progression.md
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# Level Progression Design
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## Difficulty Scaling Framework
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### Core Progression Principles
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1. **Gradual Complexity Introduction**: Each level adds manageable new challenge
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2. **Pattern Recognition Development**: Allow players to learn through repetition
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3. **Flow State Maintenance**: Balance challenge and skill to prevent frustration
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4. **Confidence Building**: Occasional easier levels to maintain player motivation
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5. **Skill Transfer**: Later levels build on patterns learned earlier
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### Level Structure by Stage
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#### Beginner Levels (1-5)
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**Purpose**: Teach core mechanics and build confidence
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```javascript
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const beginnerLevels = {
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nodeCount: 3-4,
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connectionCount: 2-3,
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timeLimit: 60,
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patterns: [
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'simple_chain', // A→B→C
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'triangle', // A↔B↔C↔A
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'star_simple', // A→B,C,D
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'parallel_lines' // A→B, C→D
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],
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objectives: [
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'Learn click and drag mechanics',
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'Understand dotted line targets',
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'Develop basic pattern recognition',
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'Build confidence with success'
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]
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};
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```
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#### Intermediate Levels (6-15)
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**Purpose**: Develop pattern recognition and spatial reasoning
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```javascript
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const intermediateLevels = {
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nodeCount: 4-7,
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connectionCount: 3-6,
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timeLimit: 50-55,
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patterns: [
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'hub_networks', // Central node connects to others
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'chain_branches', // Main chain with side branches
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'symmetric_patterns', // Mirror patterns
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'grid_subsets' // Partial grid connections
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],
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objectives: [
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'Recognize hub and spoke patterns',
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'Handle multiple connection points',
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'Develop systematic approach',
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'Improve time management'
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]
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};
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```
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#### Advanced Levels (16-25)
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**Purpose**: Challenge spatial reasoning and strategy
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```javascript
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const advancedLevels = {
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nodeCount: 7-10,
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connectionCount: 6-12,
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timeLimit: 40-50,
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patterns: [
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'complex_webs', // Highly interconnected
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'layered_networks', // Multiple connection layers
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'asymmetric_designs', // Non-obvious patterns
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'efficiency_puzzles' // Optimal path challenges
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],
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objectives: [
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'Handle complex interconnections',
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'Develop strategic thinking',
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'Master time pressure',
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'Recognize advanced patterns'
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]
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};
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```
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#### Expert Levels (26+)
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**Purpose**: Master-level challenges for dedicated players
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```javascript
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const expertLevels = {
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nodeCount: 10-12,
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connectionCount: 8-16,
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timeLimit: 30-45,
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patterns: [
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'maximum_complexity', // Dense interconnections
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'puzzle_variants', // Special rules or constraints
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'artistic_patterns', // Beautiful but complex designs
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'speed_challenges' // Time-focused difficulties
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],
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objectives: [
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'Perfect pattern recognition',
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'Master advanced strategies',
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'Handle maximum complexity',
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'Achieve expert-level flow'
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]
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};
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```
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## Pattern Type Definitions
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### Basic Patterns (Levels 1-5)
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```javascript
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const basicPatterns = {
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linear_chain: {
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description: 'Simple A→B→C→D sequence',
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difficulty: 1,
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nodeRange: [3, 4],
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connectionFormula: 'nodes - 1'
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},
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simple_triangle: {
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description: 'Three nodes all connected',
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difficulty: 2,
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nodeRange: [3, 3],
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connectionFormula: '3'
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},
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basic_star: {
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description: 'One central hub with spokes',
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difficulty: 2,
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nodeRange: [4, 5],
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connectionFormula: 'nodes - 1'
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}
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};
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```
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### Intermediate Patterns (Levels 6-15)
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```javascript
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const intermediatePatterns = {
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branched_tree: {
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description: 'Tree structure with multiple branches',
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difficulty: 3,
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nodeRange: [5, 7],
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connectionFormula: 'nodes - 1 + Math.floor(nodes/3)'
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},
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partial_mesh: {
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description: 'Partially connected mesh network',
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difficulty: 4,
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nodeRange: [6, 8],
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connectionFormula: 'Math.floor(nodes * 1.5)'
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},
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symmetric_design: {
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description: 'Symmetrical connection patterns',
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difficulty: 4,
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nodeRange: [6, 8],
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connectionFormula: 'varies by symmetry type'
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}
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};
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```
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### Advanced Patterns (Levels 16+)
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```javascript
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const advancedPatterns = {
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dense_network: {
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description: 'Highly interconnected nodes',
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difficulty: 5,
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nodeRange: [8, 12],
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connectionFormula: 'Math.floor(nodes * 2)'
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},
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layered_structure: {
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description: 'Multiple connection layers',
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difficulty: 5,
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nodeRange: [9, 12],
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connectionFormula: 'complex algorithm'
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},
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efficiency_puzzle: {
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description: 'Optimal path challenges',
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difficulty: 6,
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nodeRange: [10, 12],
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connectionFormula: 'maximum complexity'
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}
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};
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```
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## Difficulty Adjustment Algorithm
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### Dynamic Difficulty
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```javascript
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function calculateLevelDifficulty(level) {
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const baseNodeCount = 3;
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const nodeGrowthRate = 0.3;
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const maxNodes = 12;
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// Gradually increase node count
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const nodeCount = Math.min(
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Math.floor(baseNodeCount + level * nodeGrowthRate),
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maxNodes
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);
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// Connection count scales with nodes and level
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const connectionMultiplier = 1 + (level * 0.05);
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const baseConnections = nodeCount - 1;
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const connectionCount = Math.floor(baseConnections * connectionMultiplier);
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// Time limit decreases gradually
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const baseTime = 60;
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const timeReduction = Math.floor(level / 3) * 2;
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const timeLimit = Math.max(30, baseTime - timeReduction);
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return {
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nodeCount,
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connectionCount: Math.min(connectionCount, nodeCount * 2),
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timeLimit,
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complexityScore: calculateComplexity(nodeCount, connectionCount)
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};
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}
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```
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### Complexity Scoring
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```javascript
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function calculateComplexity(nodeCount, connectionCount) {
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const nodeFactor = nodeCount * 0.3;
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const connectionFactor = connectionCount * 0.5;
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const densityFactor = (connectionCount / nodeCount) * 0.2;
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return Math.floor(nodeFactor + connectionFactor + densityFactor);
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}
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```
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## Player Progression Metrics
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### Success Indicators
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- **Completion Rate**: >80% for current difficulty tier
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- **Time Efficiency**: Consistent improvement in completion times
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- **Pattern Recognition**: Faster start times (less hesitation)
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- **Error Rate**: Fewer invalid connection attempts
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### Progression Gates
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```javascript
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const progressionGates = {
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beginnerToIntermediate: {
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criteria: [
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'Complete levels 1-5 with >80% success rate',
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'Average completion time <45 seconds',
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'Less than 2 invalid attempts per level'
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]
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},
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intermediateToAdvanced: {
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criteria: [
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'Complete levels 6-15 with >70% success rate',
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'Handle 6+ node networks confidently',
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'Demonstrate pattern recognition speed'
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]
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},
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advancedToExpert: {
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criteria: [
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'Complete levels 16-25 with >60% success rate',
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'Master complex interconnected patterns',
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'Maintain performance under time pressure'
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]
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}
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};
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```
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## Balancing and Tuning
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### Playtesting Feedback Loops
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1. **Immediate Feedback**: Success/failure rates per level
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2. **Completion Analytics**: Time distributions and attempt counts
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3. **Frustration Points**: Levels with high abandonment rates
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4. **Flow Breaks**: Sudden difficulty spikes or boring plateaus
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### Adjustment Parameters
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```javascript
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const tuningParameters = {
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tooEasy: {
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indicators: ['>95% completion rate', 'Average time <20 seconds'],
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adjustments: ['Add 1-2 connections', 'Reduce time limit by 5s', 'Increase pattern complexity']
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},
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tooHard: {
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indicators: ['<50% completion rate', 'High abandonment rate'],
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adjustments: ['Remove 1-2 connections', 'Add 10s to time limit', 'Simplify pattern type']
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},
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justRight: {
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indicators: ['70-85% completion rate', 'Engaged retry behavior'],
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actions: ['Maintain current parameters', 'Use as template for similar levels']
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}
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};
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```
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### A/B Testing Framework
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```javascript
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const abTestingLevels = {
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testVariants: [
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{
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name: 'standard_progression',
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description: 'Current difficulty curve'
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},
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{
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name: 'gentler_slope',
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description: 'Slower difficulty increase'
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},
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{
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name: 'steeper_challenge',
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description: 'Faster ramp to complexity'
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}
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],
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metrics: [
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'level_completion_rate',
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'session_length',
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'player_return_rate',
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'user_satisfaction_score'
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]
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};
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```
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## Recovery and Flow Management
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### Difficulty Relief Valves
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- **Confidence Boosters**: Easier levels every 5-7 levels
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- **Pattern Variety**: Mix familiar and new pattern types
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- **Time Flexibility**: Slightly longer time limits after difficulty spikes
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- **Visual Clarity**: Ensure complex levels have clear visual hierarchy
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### Player Journey Optimization
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```javascript
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const playerJourney = {
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onboarding: {
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levels: '1-3',
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focus: 'Mechanics mastery',
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successRate: '>90%'
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},
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engagement: {
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levels: '4-15',
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focus: 'Skill development',
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successRate: '70-85%'
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},
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mastery: {
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levels: '16+',
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focus: 'Expert challenges',
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successRate: '60-75%'
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}
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};
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```
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This progression system should be continuously refined based on player data and feedback to maintain optimal challenge and engagement throughout the player's journey.
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