überEllis.com

It's better to have blogged and lost, than never to have blogged at all.

(Before I forget it)

"In cyberspace, we all live next to each other"

...
Submitted by Lailoken on Fri, 2004/05/14 - 2:12pm.
, each in our own parallel universe.

Most games have a random element, it's an unfortunate reality. Reducing the random element improves the skill level required to win at that game, and here's my reasoning:

If a player in any game needs to roll a die six, more often than not, it's either the 1 or the 6 that holds the most power. To roll either of those on a die six is always 1 in 6.

Now compare that with one die 20, where the odds are 1 in 20.

A common way of reducing the random factor in dice rolls by many game designers is to add modifiers to the rolls essentially improving/decreasing the odds of said die roll - despite that, I think a modifier on a die twenty holds way more ground over modifiers on 1 in 6 odds.

The above examples, of course, only applies to games that use dice. I shall further elobarate by examples from my favourite games, by explaining their random factors, and how they are reduced.

Let's just kick off with Magic the Gathering: The random element here; The shuffled deck, of course. Because MtG gives the player a selection of literally thousands of options in the construction of a deck, the player has the power of choosing the 60 cards that best suit his underlying strategy and it is thus possible, in theory, to construct a deck where any card drawn at any given time during the game could be considered usefull. On top of that, there exists several cards that manipulate the library, vastly reducing the random factor. Clearly, the biggest part of winning a game of magic lies more in the construction of the very random element...the deck itself. Making it skill based.

Next, Magic's predecessor, Robo-Rally:
The random element, again, the cards dealt to a player. It is common for a young RR player to complain about this very factor, but any experienced player could tell you, that simply planning ahead a bit, improves your game exponentially. Use your hand to your advantage, and use board-elements to get rid of useless cards (like saving that move 2 card in your hand while rotating on a conveyer belt - it doesn't set you back as much you might think - play towards the long-term goal). By keeping cards in your hand that you will need the next turn, takes away most of the random factor.

What about Backgammon? I'm not an experienced player and can't even begin to tell you all the rules or any of the subtleties - but I can tell you why I think it's rated so high internationally. The dice roll's value has little to no relevance, except for the time it's played. Rolling a 6 or a 1 or even a 3 can be considered a good roll only when the player in question needs that particular number - I believe the same could be said for bridge, making the most of what your dealt with.

Last not but least, Settlers of Catan - a game that's rapidly making waves and already has variants and expansions popping up everywhere. The dice roll in Settlers, affects all players, not the rolling player - as simple as that.

It's a pity the game designers of the WarCraft board game did not recognize the value of that simple fact when they came up with the combat system.

The only reason I think 6 sided dice, to this day, plays such a major role in game design, is because it's cheaper to produce little cubes than to contemplate alternatives to the random factor.

Disclaimer: These are my opinions based on personal preference and my reasons behind these choices. You can love your inferior *koff* games for your own reasons ;)

All day today I've had this incredible energy, working like a beast and crossing off to-do's like a maniac. I feel great! (babies!)

The questioning side of my brain wonders what the cause might be and how I can feel this way everyday...is this what 3 meals a day has to offer?

Oh yeah...and what the hell is up with all this rain we're getting?

It's been a stressfull year so far, and no signs of that diminishing in the near future either...So instead of working at my problems this past weekend, I succumbed to some much needed sleep and caught up on some of the media I've accrued.

This near-decadent lifestyle would've spilled over into Sunday, was it not for my need to eat and an emptyness in my cupboards as only a bachelor could achieve.

I through caution into the wind when I drove to the biggest supermarket I could think of...

Here's what I've learnt:

1. Shopping on a Sunday is viable, without the massive crowds, but with less than adequate stock.
2. Buy yourself something that you wouldn't have if you gave yourself time to think about it on a regular basis.

An electric toothbrush has an odd, though not completely unpleasant sensation in your mouth - not completely what I had in mind, yet novel enough to have me brushing my teeth regular enough to make most dentists proud.

Yes All Evil fans...An electric toothbrush has given me a sliver of happinnes.