The connection between dice games and video games

According to the encyclopedia Britannica, dice are the oldest gaming implements known to man. Some believe they were invented by Palamedes during the siege of Troy, while others believe it was the Lydians during the reign of King Atys who were responsible. However, archaeologists have found dice from times even earlier.

The randomness and probability make them intriguing for many. Aspects of these basic cubic devices and how they work still influence many of today’s games – even modern video games. So, how are traditional dice mechanics used in video gaming? This article will examine the connection to show how something invented thousands of years ago is still relevant and used in games today.

Why dice games are popular

Dice games combine luck, skill and unpredictability. This makes them exciting. Whether you’re playing classic dice games like craps and Yahtzee, or tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), a lot of games need dice. And the use of dice makes the games what they are.

Even the basic, six-sided dice on its own is appealing. It’s a simple thing with straightforward rules – and it can teach us a lot about chance and probability. When you play games with a die or dice, the thrill of chance brings suspense. It’s why dice have continued to be used today when other articles from thousands of years ago haven’t.

Ultimately, dice games don’t have complex setups. While there is an obvious element of luck in these games, many of them also demand strategic thinking. With dice games, you have to decide when to roll, when to hold, and how to manage risks. This makes them more engaging than if they were just games of chance.

Dice games also work well as group activities. This makes them fun to play as a family at home or in environments like casinos. The social side of playing with dice is likely what has kept people playing with them thousands of years after they were first invented. It’s clear that these games have stood the test of time, and this is true across all different cultures and gaming formats.

Nowadays, we’ve even got digital dice. These are based on random number generators (RNGs), which work similarly. However, nothing can compete with physical dice and the noise they make! RNGs are special computer programs. They keep digital games honest and prevent cheating from taking place.

Dice mechanics in video games

Dice mechanics are a part of many video games. This is even true for games that aren’t themed around physical dice. These are dice-based probability systems. They’re used to determine the outcome of a game.

The mechanic mirrors the unpredictability and probability of traditional dice games. It means players experience the same thrills and excitement as if they were playing a physical game in person.

Many role-playing games (RPGs), like Baldur’s Gate or Divinity: Original Sin, were inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and use dice. The rolls determine aspects like damage, skills, and attack success. Virtual dice rolls imitate the real ones from the tabletop games. They’re just as random and make the actions feel uncertain and exciting.

Many other games use hidden dice roll mechanics to calculate elements of randomness. For example, in turn-based strategy games like XCOM, they determine hit rates, dodges and critical strikes. When players are considering their moves, they must factor in probability, just like they would in a dice game. And just like any dice game, the outcomes aren’t guaranteed.

There are actual games that directly incorporate virtual dice. These tend to be gambling games like Sic Bo and craps. You’ll find many of these on online casino platforms, much like those available on AskGamblers. They provide easy-to-use guides for people of all experience levels, and they’re even available before you sign up. This is a great way to learn how to play certain dice games if you don’t know already, or brush up on the rules. However, not all online casinos have these available, as dice games aren’t as popular as other types of casino table games.

Tabletop games and video games

We’ve already mentioned how Baldur’s Gate took its inspiration from D&D, but many other popular video games have also taken inspiration from dice-based tabletop games. For example, Catan and Gloomhaven, both tabletop games, now have digital versions. These use automated dice rolls for game management.

There is also an influence the other way around. Slay the Spire, for example, started out as a video game. Now, though, there is a physical adaptation in the form of a deck-building game. Some games are now hybrid, too. Mansions of Madness and XCOM: The Board Game both have mobile apps used within the physical game.

Conclusion: dice games and video games share similarities

To conclude, dice games and video games are connected. Probability and chance are present in both. Dice games have existed for millennia and are still popular today. Though more complex dice-based games now exist, such as Dungeons & Dragons (and their video game influences like Baldur’s Gate and other RPGs), the basics and the element of chance are still the same.

Even as technology advances and games become more complex, the fundamental element of chance, like that experienced thousands of years ago when the first dice were invented, will remain and influence the game results.