What are the best ways to balance RNG and variance in card games?

Balancing RNG (Random Number Generation) and variance in card games starts with clearly defining your RNG goals. Is it to ensure unpredictability, to challenge player strategy, or to level the playing field? This helps maintain a balance where skill and strategy are rewarded while still incorporating the excitement and variability that randomness brings. Properly defined RNG goals ensure that randomness contributes positively to the game's fun and fairness, enhancing player engagement and satisfaction.

Instead of considering RNG solely as a design choice, we can utilize it to involve the community in shaping the game's future.

When making any card game with a deck, you already have RNG within your design. Sometimes that is enough and plenty to use in order to spice up the gameplay and focus on other mechanics that can excite the player. Too much RNG can hinder the gameplay and it will become redundant quickly.

Choosing RNG sources comes down to where do you want the randomness element. It can be either the INPUT (e.g. available deck after draws) or the OUTPUT (e.g. modifiers for card effects). Each of these can be studied by breaking down the probability distribution curves and for all possible outcomes. Depending on the game genre, platforms, progression and even monetization the distribution of all the outcomes can have a higher or lower variance. For instance : Outcomes in a card game of luck can be quite different because of the genre expectations. Similarly, in turn-based strategy card games the outcomes of two attacks can't have the same difference in outcomes (as luck based games) since it can imbalance the gameplay.

Instead of relying solely on random numbers, consider incorporating thematic elements that relate to the game's story and setting. Give players the ability to influence random outcomes through specific actions or card choices. This could involve sacrificing resources to manipulate the cards available or activating special effects that introduce controlled randomness. This allows players to feel more in control and shape their own destiny within the game. Introduce dynamic environments that affect gameplay through procedurally generated elements.

Limit RNG impact on core mechanics! Ensure that RNG elements do not overly influence the outcome of critical gameplay decisions. Reserve randomness for non-essential aspects or supplementary effects to prevent frustration and maintain player agency. Design gameplay mechanics that allow players to mitigate the effects of RNG through strategic decision-making and skillful play. Provide opportunities for players to strategize, adapt, and outmaneuver opponents despite unpredictable outcomes.

Context-aware RNG involves adjusting RNG outcomes based on in-game factors, like bonus damage based on remaining cards in the deck. This adds strategy to decision-making, as players must consider the current game state. To enhance RNG outcomes, players could have the option to increase benefits by also increasing drawbacks.

Instead of relying solely on static visuals or text, consider incorporating dynamic visual and audio cues that reflect the emotional impact of RNG outcomes. For instance, a high-risk, high-reward result could trigger a visually stunning animation and an uplifting sound effect upon success, while a negative outcome could be accompanied by more subdued visuals and a subtle sound cue. Implement a system that adjusts the level of detailed information provided about RNG outcomes based on player experience.

Testing is incredibly important in RNG games. You can opt for two approaches: 1. Use simulations to test out the RNG. This can be incredibly powerful as it allows you to programmatically test thousands of combinations without the needs for players and you get hard data. 2. Do playtests with actual players to see how that RNG feels. This is more slow, but you will get real players feeback. One important thing to consider is that even if you test programatically and everything seems right, what matters in the end is the players feeling. To illustrate this, if in a computer game you have a 95% chance of hitting an attack and it misses, players will feel betrayed, RNG can be a complex topic to balance both statistically and emotionally.

Allow players to actively participate in RNG testing by creating and sharing custom decks with RNG mechanics or experimenting in sandbox environments to provide feedback. Use advanced AI algorithms to analyze player data and detect patterns in RNG outcomes, revealing imbalances like specific card combinations with higher win rates due to RNG. Implement dynamic RNG systems that adjust based on player feedback and data, modifying RNG outcomes to maintain balance as the player base grows and the game meta evolves.

Ensure that RNG outcomes are balanced in relation to their potential impact on gameplay. Higher-risk actions should offer correspondingly higher rewards to incentivize strategic risk-taking without leading to excessive swings in game outcomes. Offer multiple viable strategies for players to pursue, allowing them to adapt their approach based on the current RNG conditions. This enhances replayability and accommodates diverse playstyles.