Post on 14-Jun-2015
description
Dealing with chance: Good luck
Game Connection Europe 2014marc.pestka@lifeisavidgame.com
Alea is part of the game
• Roger Caillois: Man, Play and Games• Uncertainty is not boring• Equality• Playing with luck is so human• From roulette to chess• Can you learn chance? Is it fun?• Enter the occurrence dimension: repetition
makes the fun and controls chance
Some maths are needed
• Permutations• Mean / Expected value• Standard deviation• Gaussian distribution• Random without replacement (deck structure)• Non-uniformly distributed numbers –
cheating?
Chance in casual games
• Some casual games use chance because the concept is accessible
• Random generation of elements means endless replayability and ‘gameplay’ stories
• Balance between skill and chance: every one can enter the game
Dealing with randomness
• Size of the board = field of possibilities• Amount of colors = one key component.
Readibility, amount of possible matches• On the LD side: build, play, repeat• If you’re lucky: use metrics, optimize through
data analytics• If you’re super lucky, use AI.
Chance in RPG
• Roll a dice = all actions have a chance element• Reducing uncertainty is part of the essence• Random generation = huge content• Loot: reward and diversity• Loot is a long-term motivation in itself, mixed
with collection appeal
Dealing with complex randomness
• Objective: Make the most out of a limited pool• Only picking one in an array is not enough• Organizing the possibilities• Diablo: Treasure Classes
QUESTIONS?
THANKS