Understanding RNG and Fair Play in Digital Games

Ever wondered why outcomes in digital games feel random? That’s RNG at play. While randomness adds thrill, fairness depends on how well it’s balanced. RNGs essentially generate random numbers to influence game outcomes.

In FPS shooter games, for example, they influence the kind of damage you can do to an enemy. On the other hand, they influence the cards that you’re dealt in online card games like Rummy. These RNGs ensure fairness by randomizing the outcomes for each player.

Random Number Generators (RNGs) influence many digital experiences. These range from loot drops in RPG games, to damage inflicted in FPS shooter games, and random card deck generators in MOBA games.

You can also find RNGs being used for shuffling and dealing cards in online Rummy multiplayer games. They add an element of unpredictability, transparency and fairness to digital games.

That’s because most players otherwise have a tendency to mistake poor outcomes as game bias.  But what exactly is RNG?  Let’s explore this along with more aspects in the sections below.

What Is RNG in Gaming?

In simple terms, RNGs refer to Random Number Generators. In gaming, these algorithms essentially generate numbers to influence the outcome of several actions. For instance, they influence the kind of ‘loot’ you get from the bodies of your enemies in RPG games.

They also influence the kind of ‘damage’ you’re able to inflict on an enemy in FPS games. You can also find RNGs in Rummy multiplayer games. They generate player IDs and help deal cards at the beginning of these games.

Since they are algorithms, they cannot be influenced by players to generate outcomes based on their personal preferences. This ensures fairness and transparency.

Why Do Games Use RNG?

Most digital games use RNGs as ways to decrease monotony, enhance spontaneity, and improve the element of unpredictability. This ensures that players can keep the competitive or engaging element of the game alive without falling into a rote memorization pattern.

For example, consider an open-world game like The Witcher III. While exploring the forest on your horse, you may suddenly come across wolves, bandits or other monsters. The game map might not show it, but these elements suddenly pop up.

You’re then confronted with a decision to either fight or let go.

In online Rummy multiplayer or poker games, RNGs help shuffle card decks, deal cards at the beginning of a round, and generate player IDs. So, in other words, your opponent cannot claim the stronger or better cards to secure an advantage.

Let’s take a brief recap of where RNG is used in the table below:

Table: RNG use cases

What’s the Difference between Good and Bad RNG?

As with everything else, RNGs have positives and negatives, too. So, how do you distinguish between a good and a bad RNG? Let’s understand that below.

A good RNG refers to a Random Number Generator that generates outcomes as per the norm. For example, say you’re playing an open-world adventure game. If your character entered the forest, then expecting a wild animal or perhaps bandits that you could fight off is normal.

In a Rummy multiplayer card game, this would translate to being dealt mid-to-strong value cards in the 3rd or 4th rounds and so on.

However, a bad RNG refers to a Random Number Generator that appears to generate outcomes in favor of the opponents; in other words, it’s biased. For example, if you’re playing a Battle Royale game, then you could find that other players are getting weapons far superior to your own.

In a Rummy game, you might find yourself being paired with stronger opponents, which can be demotivating, especially if you don’t know how to play Rummy game.

This is why you should check whether the platform you’re playing on carries out frequent RNG audits or not. These audits ensure that practices like rigging are weeded out.

Types of RNGs and Where They’re Used

Let’s now quickly take a look at the kind of RNGs you can commonly come across in the table below:

Table: Types of RNGs

How Do Developers Ensure Fairness?

Game developers ensure that the RNGs used in digital games are fair in the following ways:

Regular RNG Audits

They hire game Testing and certification service organizations like eCOGRA, GLI or iTech Labs to carry out regular audits or tests. These audits help them determine instances of unfair play, bugs, or suspicious activity.

One example of suspicious activity could be players repeatedly losing the same hand Rummy multiplayer games despite using different strategies. These audits also ensure that people are able to trust the gaming platforms.

Statistical Data-based Analysis Tests

Game developers test RNGs to determine whether or not the outcomes being generated are truly random or not. They test these RNGs over several rounds to ensure consistency.

Update Security Patches

By cross-referencing the history and logs that store the RNG analysis data, game developers can weed out harmful bugs and update the security patches. This ensures that the game is free from firewall break-ins or hacker-based exploitation.

What Should You Do Next?

Take a look at our checklist below to understand what you should do next:
 ✅ Check platform for certification logos (e.g., RNG Verified)
 ✅ Try RNG games like Rummy to test both sides
 ✅ Compare RNGs across 2–3 platforms
 ✅ Analyze your findings and proceed with your game of choice accordingly

Wrapping Up

To cut a long story short, RNGs aren’t bad, but games that use outdated RNGs in games are.  That’s because RNGs help games maintain their freshness, competitiveness, and unpredictability.