Aether Drift GDD
Progression & Meta
Run-to-run persistence, the salvage market, and unlock pacing.
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Progression is split into intra-run power (temporary, lost on death) and meta progression (permanent, purchased with salvage). The intent is that a skilled player can clear early content with no meta unlocks, while meta progression widens the option space rather than raising raw numbers.
The Salvage Market
Between runs, the player converts recovered salvage into permanent suit modules. Pricing is tuned so the second and third unlocks feel attainable within the first session, then tapers into long-tail goals.
- Tier 1 modules: traversal quality-of-life (grapple cooldown, boost efficiency).
- Tier 2 modules: new verbs (magnetic tether, oxygen recycler).
- Tier 3 modules: build-defining options that change the loop shape.