Jungle Boys Thoughts : My Absence & The RNG Element

My Absence

Hey there everyone, I hope you all didn't miss me too much because I missed you all quite a bit. I have had a rough couple of months, starting in February, when I got into a car wreck that landed me in hospital, leading right into an appendicectomy operation. While recovering through the surgery I contracted Covid-19, and I guess my body had enough to cope with; it landed me in the intensive care unit and on a ventilator. I got back home a few days ago, and I'm doing well catching up with life in general. This piece is something I was writing before all of the above transpired. I am glad to be back in my hut in the jungle, where I belong. I hope I have better IRL RNG after writing this.

Source Riho Kroll on Unsplash

Introduction

As a gamer RNG is part and parcel of our experience, you could define it as little or more as you want. If you play TCG, CCG, FPS, RTS, MOBA, or Auto Chess, you will unknowingly be lighting a candle to RNGesus somehow. As a nature player, I know I'm praying to RNGesus every time I load into the arena. Let's understand how RNG and game developers work with it and the outlier of a game making a case for not adding RNG. Thus, I want to dive into the RNG Element of God's Unchained in this edition of Jungle Boy's thoughts.

What is RNG in Games?

Random Numbers in Gaming depends on RNG software, enabling players to achieve random variables and progress in the game. This term with this meaning is familiar to players of video games. The technology behind RNG works on the fundamental part of the game interface. For example, if you play nature, the "confused" aspect is a 50/50 chance of hitting the intended target. It is generated by the RNG software the God's Unchianed devs implemented in the game, which is not the same Hearthstone or Legends o Ruenterra.

Purpose of RNG

The main goal of most RNG-enabled video games is to capture new casual players and entice continuing players. A video game that is predominantly skill-based, such as chess, usually features a stale algorithm. However, if a game contains a random element like roulette, the inexperienced player may be more likely to experience success.

There are also benefits to the hardcore players, such as ensuring that there is no single predominant strategy. It can also add an exciting challenge that the player had not realistically planned. It will keep every game that you play from getting stale in the long run and is also beneficial to the long-term game success. Remember when we have patches and new sets come in it comes with a plethora of RNG but also new posiibilities. This is synonymous with all competitive esports in my opinion.

Source: Ryan Quintal on Unsplash

True RNG and Pseudo-RNG

You need a physical device called a hardware random number generator to generate random numbers with a computer. This uses exact physical processes such as electronic noise to generate random numbers. Gaming programs frequently employ pseudorandom number generation procedures to offer faster processing times and greater ease of use. That said God's Unchained uses the latter for processing times and faster game play.

Delta of randomness

The primary goal and probably most important aspect is that the variability in the game state from a random one just depends on this: The difference between the very best and worst case, from a random outcome. Those familiar with physics and math may recognize what a delta is, a state function that is independent from other states than the first and last positions. In the example we're using, we are analyzing the occurrences of a random event, which is independent from other systems.

A higher degree of randomized chance indicates a greater risk that the game will be determined and affected by chance. Examples of high delta of randomized chance would include a coin toss determining if a player wins or loses. A low delta of randomness creates an expected value to emerge more clearly.

For example with the core set refresh lightning strike got a lower delta of randomness. It went from "Deal eight damage to a random enemy and give six burns" to "Deal 6 damage to the strongest enemy creature". The spell went from randomized to standard, giving the player using the card more control of what happens on the board.

Source: Virgil Cayasa on Unsplash

Conclusion

RNG can have long-term effects on the usability of a game when integrated into an appropriate game system. If the game can allow for it, allowing the player to influence or customize it to their own ends can be an important part of successfully mastering the gameplay. RNG can derail the game, and the amount and randomness must be carefully calibrated, or it can irreversibly damage the speculative vision of the game. The Dev team of God's Unchained has done a good job of balancing the game, yet constant balances may need to be done according to power creep.

The crash that started it all...