Randomness Redefined: How Tech Ensures Transparency in Online Games

Video games have become the most popular escape for people on the planet, giving us an unending number of ways to compete and get lost in fantastical worlds. But, at the heart of every good video game is a simple relationship: the code, your brain, and your skills.

Ultimately, a game is nothing more than a giant bet and, if we canā€™t trust the game to keep its randomness consistent, that bet is worth nothing. So what do we do? Weā€™re throwing technology at the problem. Keep on reading to find out how.

Why Does Randomness Matter in Online Games?

The randomness comes in the form of RNGs or ā€œRandom Number Generatorsā€ that help to provide a random outcome for certain games and give players the same chance to win in a slot game, for instance.

For example, if someone is playing in real money slots and they stake their money, the RNGs will determine the outcome and how the game will play out. Each type of game is slightly different but many of them include RNGs to determine what happens throughout the game once the player starts.

Itā€™s so important for developers to build trust with their players, and this is done in a number of different ways including RNGs and things like cryptocurrency deposits which have a transparent nature. Furthermore, randomness in slots puts players on an even footing from the start, and while some games involve skill, there are some casino games where the outcome depends on luck and all things random.

How Random Number Generators (RNGs) Work

But how does technology ensure randomness in your online games? The answer lies in the use of the Random Number Generator, also known as the RNG. Under the hood, the RNG is, after all, an algorithm generating random-seeming numbers, providing the ā€˜luck-drivenā€™ foundation for our online games. In case youā€™re wondering how it works. Youā€™ll find these in many online games, not just casino games.

RNGs require an initial number called the ā€˜seedā€™ to get going. The seed can come from anywhere, like the system time or user input; itā€™s virtually impossible to predict the output sequence from the seed. It then uses a complex algorithm to come up with the outcomes of each game, delivering an infinite sequence of random numbers.

RNGs are the unsung workhorses of fair play on the internet, but casinos, lottery sites, and similar services make the outcome unpredictable, a bit like drawing lottery numbers on a physical machine.

Encryption Protocols

Encryption protocols are key. All data transmission from players to the server is encrypted, such that nobody can alter game data or manipulate outcomes. Encryption is provided as a state-of-the-art shield that protects the integrity of the game and gives players a level of peace of mind. Encryption is also vitally important in payment methods which is one of the reasons why cryptocurrency has become even more of a key player in the world of online gaming, people want to know that they are protected by multiple layers, and the top crypto options give exactly this protection.

Security Audits and Certifications

Many other protocols undergo security audits and certify their compliance with standards to provide players with a guarantee of the integrity of the games and the randomness of the results. Whether youā€™re a PC gamer or a traditional console gamer, audits keep gameplay on an even keel.

Human Oversight and Monitoring

Finally, there is human oversight. Security personnel watch games for errant activity and work to keep the whole security infrastructure up to date. This technological/human hybrid preserves the integrity of online games.

Building Trust: Transparency is Key

So how do developers and platforms win online gamersā€™ trust? Hereā€™s how many casinos ensure a transparent relationship with players.

Publishing RNG Details

Some platforms will provide basic details about their RNGs ā€“ for example, the type of algorithm used. This helps players gain a better understanding of the technology behind the game and assures them that everything is truly random.

Communication Lines Open

It is a good idea to ensure that the communication lines are open, when people look to play at an online casino they often look for things like whether or not it has a support line if they come across any queries while playing.

The Future of Randomness

As newer algorithms are introduced and made increasingly robust through rigorous iteration, the experience of playing games using RNG will be ever more realistic. It is also possible that additional measures will be taken to create even more transparentā€™ scenarios in varying degrees.

The world of gaming online has a lot to look forward to in the future; thereā€™ll always be room for innovation to ensure that each player gets a fair experience and the same chance of winning, a bit like the way a lottery gives every ticket an equal chance.

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Lee

Our resident iPhone expert, Lee has been an iOS user since the iPhone 3GS was launched back in 2009. When he's not troubleshooting Apple devices, you can find Lee cooking up a storm in the kitchen (with the help of his favourite recipes apps, of course).

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