Do you ever think about the processes that make everyday life possible? If you’re like most people, then the answer will be no, I do not. And that’s understandable, since, well, we all have responsibilities and interests that take up mental space. We choose not to think about the behind-the-scenes mechanisms of life because, if we didn’t, we’d simply get nothing done.
Still, there are some elements that are worth paying attention to, purely because they’re so interesting. In that category, you’ll find ‘Random Number Generators,’ or RNGs to give them their abbreviated form. This handy software is responsible for more than you might think, especially if you’re a gamer. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know.
How RNGs Work
So, what are Random Number Generators? Well, the clue is in the name. It’s software (also hardware, but in this digital age, mostly software) that can produce numbers — and thus outcomes — that follow no pattern. There are plenty of scenarios that require random numbers, as we’ll see below. It’s RNGs that make them possible.
It’s a virtual simulation of a random experience, essentially. However, it’s worth noting that while the outcome is random in many cases, there are instances when there are parameters in place that prevent a random result. That occurs when a repeat result (say, the same song being played back to back on shuffle play) is not desirable.
Where Are RNGs Used?
OK, so that’s the basics of random number generators. Now to the next question: where are they used? This might have been the first time you’ve ever heard of RNGs, but we’re reasonably sure it won’t be the first time you’ve interacted with them before. After all, random number generators have a wide range of applications, such as the ones below.
The iGaming Industry
RNGs are commonly used within the iGaming industry to ensure a fair playing experience. The earliest slot machines, for instance, utilized mechanical mechanisms to produce random spin results, but that infrastructure wouldn’t work in the internet era. With more and more people looking to play online slots, the iGaming sector had to find a way to ensure the outcome of each game was genuinely random — and RNGs were the perfect solution. With this technology, players can have confidence that the outcome of the games they play is based on chance, ensuring a fair playing experience.
In Video Games
You and your friend could play the same opening moves in your favorite video game and get different results. And RNGs would be the reason. Let’s think of an example. Let’s say you’re playing a game where, in the opening few minutes, you come across loot. It’s RNGs that determine what will be in that loot. As such, these RNGs are helping to dictate the outcome of the game, making it easier or more challenging (and in some cases, impossible) to complete.
You can also thank RNGs if you love to play video games over and over again. It’s thanks to them that video games can remain interesting since you can have a different experience every single time.
Security Applications
RNGs also help to make the digital world more secure. Humans are notoriously bad at picking passwords. We tend to use the same patterns over and over again, making them easy to crack. RNGs don’t understand patterns — all they know is randomness. If you want to make a strong password, then use an RNG. With high-quality RNG software, you can easily create a password that would take a hacker a thousand years to crack.
And there we have it. Random number generators, we salute you!
