Digital games may be the only form of entertainment that connects people from different backgrounds and beliefs. Many people use digital games as a hobby, while some play them professionally. And the third group that unfortunately uses them to escape from reality.
Digital media and video game companies constantly look to stay ahead of the competition by providing high-quality experiences. Whether it’s all about graphics, storyline, or both. What players feel and how they interact with the game depends on outcome variability because that is what keeps you hooked and makes you want to come back for more.
What is Outcome Variability?
The ability of a game to provide the user with multiple gaming experiences (that is, not to be constant) is known as variability. Variability increases replayability by expanding the number of possible game outcomes. How can we make our game more variable?
Outcome variability means the level of unpredictability in the results of actions taken in a single game. Precisely, it’s how much the outcome of any event, decision, or action in a game can change every time it happens. The level of unpredictability is most important in creating fast and exciting gaming experiences.
For instance, when you play a sports game, like FIFA or Football Club, as it’s now called, there is a mode in Ultimate Team where you open Packs. You never know what items you are going to get, but what most gamers hunt for are legendary cards of the world-famous players. These packs contain not just player cards, but also club items or special event cards. At one point, this was extremely popular among famous YouTubers watched by millions of people, as well as regular players who spent real money buying game coins. The game used flashlights, sound effects, and great animation, which built tension while waiting for the big reveal of who you got.
A random element like this keeps players intrigued and invested. In contrast, imagine a game where every action has the same predictable outcome. That may result in a more stable but probably way less exciting experience.
How Variability Affects Player Experience
Logically, different outcomes can impact your feelings towards the game. There is just one conceivable gameplay experience in a game without internal diversity, meaning that the same player inputs result in the same outputs.
For example, people prefer playing multiplayer games, whether online or with their friends at home. It’s because it’s competitive, and you can’t guess what’s going to happen or who’s going to win. Not knowing what is going to happen gives you a rush of adrenaline.
Some people prefer slower, more predictable games that require more thinking and strategy. We’ve all heard of those:
- chess
- puzzles
- checker
They are also very popular, emphasizing skills, but when it comes to digital technology and video games, they still come in second.
Examples in Digital Games
The most popular games, like Grand Theft Auto or Red Dead Redemption, are story-driven and offer lower variability. Yet, they are perfect for players who tend to enjoy narrative depth, a good story, and consistency with small changes.
But when it comes to shaping a player’s experience, that’s where high-variability games step in:
- Dead Cells
- Hades
- Slay the Spire
- FTL: Faster Than Light
- Monster Train
- Cult of the Lamb
Their signature is enemies, rewards, and layout changing each time you embark on a new run. When speaking of variability and games, it’s impossible to leave out slot games that have been around for more than a hundred years.
Besides variability, there is another term that is unavoidable in this topic: volatility. If you ever wondered what volatility means in slots, it indicates the average payoff size you may anticipate, as well as the frequency with which it will hit a winning combination. Machine volatility is a gauge of the level of risk involved in playing a specific slot machine game. This risk element influences the frequency and size of a slot machine’s payouts.
While low-volatility machines typically offer lower rewards more frequently, high-volatility machines typically offer greater payouts less regularly.
The Tech Behind It
The level of variation in digital games is managed behind the scenes by algorithms and team decisions that often utilize random number generators (RNGs) to add a note of tension and randomness.
To achieve the ideal balance between fairness and randomness, designers conscientiously adjust these mechanisms, as a low level of unpredictability may result in boredom, while too much can leave players feeling helpless or frustrated. Successful games usually strike the ideal balance between enhancing excitement through unpredictability and maintaining player autonomy.
Conclusion
Outcome variability is one of the primary factors in any form of entertainment. It makes you feel engaged, excited, and emotional.
While it may not be for everybody, what kind of games you will play depends on you and what you like more. Unpredictability and dynamic or steady and strategic games: the choice is yours as long as you have fun!
