RNG is rng. Just don't lose it and become superstitious

[Sphara]

I've played millions and millions of turns different roguelikes.
Sometimes, fate challenges my faith in numbers. (I assume) Nothing is easier for a programmer than make a things work between 0% and 100%.

The other day I was, once again tested. I ragequitted a DCSS game when a teleportation scroll landed me on a same square I was supposed to be left off. I did not even know that could happen. Later in the evening I played some Angband and got six-time-in-a-row, 25% failure casting a spell. Neither of these odds are nowhere near astronomical.

I've had games in Angband, where I went "this cannot be true". I returned from a save like 15 minutes ago and all I've seen is "Failed to concentrate hard enough!" message.

Dying does not enrage me half as much as having multiple 4% casting fails in a critical situation does.

But still... I believe in RNG.

[Nick]

You might think the RNG is just code, but it's actually a tiny sentient being which is embedded in the game. No-one fully understands how it works, but it definitely has a personal relationship with every player.

[Sky]

.. grrrrr

[licker]

Yes, we all bow to RNGesus and curse him (or her, or it, I wouldn't want to offend...).

What's great about games like this is that much of the RNG is just hidden (or at least obfuscated) from the player. But it's a mindset one has to adopt so as not to drive oneself crazy.

Contrast to a game like Blood Bowl... Well the RNG rage one encounters there is just hilarious. And that's based off a d6 system, so auto failure and auto success are already at 17%!

[whartung]

Dying does not enrage me half as much as having multiple 4% casting fails in a critical situation does.

These are those dramatic critical moments where getting the stuffing beat out of you and your Zippo won't light, so you keep flicking it.

[misanthropope]

don't anthropomorphize the RNG, you'll piss it off.

[DavidMedley]

don't anthropomorphize the RNG, you'll piss it off.

Haha I actually laughed out loud at this one