Does Into The Breach Really Have Perfect Information? Why RNG Matters.

TL;DR

RNG and variance in games can create unique experiences, but must be carefully balanced to maintain fairness and player agency.

Transcript

rng or random number generation is a topic of contention among gamers for some it allows for epic comebacks and awesome surprises for others it cheapens games reducing the amount of agency you as a player have so how can such a simple idea be used to make or break a title and what does the heat death of the universe have to do with it to help me un... Read More

Key Insights

• 👻 "Into the Breach" prioritizes perfect information, allowing players to plan and optimize their moves.
• 👾 Simple mechanics in the game ensure players can easily understand and utilize all available options.
• 👾 Informational entropy and variance are important elements in game design as they create unpredictability and depth.
• 👾 Balancing variance in games is crucial to maintain fairness and player agency.
• 🥺 High levels of variance can lead to unsatisfying or arbitrary outcomes, while controlled variance allows players to strategize and manipulate chance.
• 👾 Games like "Fire Emblem" and "X-COM" manage high levels of variance while still providing rewarding tactical experiences.
• 👾 Some games, like "FTL" and "Hearthstone," may have too much variance, resulting in frustrating experiences.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does "Into the Breach" prioritize perfect information in its gameplay?

"Into the Breach" ensures that players have complete knowledge of enemy spawns, attacks, and resolution order, allowing for careful planning and optimization.

Q: Why does "Into the Breach" avoid complex mechanics?

The game limits the number of mechanics to maintain simplicity and avoid confusion, as conveying too much information would compromise gameplay optimization.

Q: What is the role of entropy and informational entropy in games?

Entropy refers to the progression towards chaos in a system, while informational entropy describes the increase in randomness and unpredictability. Games utilize these concepts to create depth and challenges for players.

Q: How does variance impact player experiences in games?

Variance, or chance, can add excitement and unpredictability to games but must be balanced. Too much variance can result in frustrating or arbitrary outcomes, while controlled variance allows players to use skill and knowledge to manipulate chance.

Key Insights:

• "Into the Breach" prioritizes perfect information, allowing players to plan and optimize their moves.
• Simple mechanics in the game ensure players can easily understand and utilize all available options.
• Informational entropy and variance are important elements in game design as they create unpredictability and depth.
• Balancing variance in games is crucial to maintain fairness and player agency.
• High levels of variance can lead to unsatisfying or arbitrary outcomes, while controlled variance allows players to strategize and manipulate chance.
• Games like "Fire Emblem" and "X-COM" manage high levels of variance while still providing rewarding tactical experiences.
• Some games, like "FTL" and "Hearthstone," may have too much variance, resulting in frustrating experiences.
• Finding a balance between perfect information, simplicity, and controlled variance is key to creating a successful and enjoyable game.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "Into the Breach" is a strategy game that focuses on perfect information, allowing players to have complete access to all game mechanics and outcomes.

• The game intentionally avoids complex mechanics to ensure players can easily understand and optimize their actions.

• Informational entropy and variance in games can create unpredictability and increase depth, but must be balanced to maintain fairness.