Random chance
Video game concept
Most effects of basic actions are based on random chance rather than what you actually see happening. Or random chance otherwise is central gameplay element.
124
games
21platforms
WIN 2007-10-09
WIN 2016-01-19
WIN 1999-05-05
WIN 2012-04-11
WIN 2012-04-11
WIN 2012-05
PS1 ? *
WIN 2013-11-15
SPC 1992
DOS 1995-10
WIN 2002-06-18
WWW 2013-09-13
An obvious example is where you punch someone and it clearly hits them, but actually hitting the target is based on random chance (modified by possible skills, attributes, or other things) which produces the final did damage, did not do damage or missed graphic/sound effects etc.
For games with sufficient abstraction in visuals, this can be obvious since you don't actually ever see them successfully hitting someone, only swinging/flailing generally. For example, most grid-based games with primitive graphics belong to this. All activity is limited to the character's own grid point and does not extend beyond them, thus they do not appear to hit anyone even if they actually do.
Instances where this is only used for minor things, like critical hit chance instead of actually hitting the target, should not be included.
This is NOT for random efficiency of things (e.g. how much damage was dealt or how much dirt was shoveled).
For games with sufficient abstraction in visuals, this can be obvious since you don't actually ever see them successfully hitting someone, only swinging/flailing generally. For example, most grid-based games with primitive graphics belong to this. All activity is limited to the character's own grid point and does not extend beyond them, thus they do not appear to hit anyone even if they actually do.
Instances where this is only used for minor things, like critical hit chance instead of actually hitting the target, should not be included.
This is NOT for random efficiency of things (e.g. how much damage was dealt or how much dirt was shoveled).
Popular tags
actionrpg avernum baldursgate bhaalspawn cardbattle cards collectiblecardgame dungeoncrawler ectsaward elderscrolls grimrock-series lifesimulation nwn raisersim roguelike roguelite sots-series tactical traditional xcom-2012reboot xcom-seriesParent groups
Game-like elements, Loss of player agency, Random results
Child groups
Critical chance, Dice mechanics, Hit chance, Dodge&block chance, Spell chance, Botching
Games by year
The first Random chance video game was released in 1989.
Atari, Beamdog and Defiant Development published most of these games.