Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-5105419-20131205130839/@comment-1200981-20190112011225

Progressive doesn't alter the course of events in the Aincrad arc that already taken place, nor is it a reboot. It's only meant to further elaborate on the adventures Asuna and Kirito went on as they ascend each floor of Aincrad. Progressive is even referenced several times in the main novels.