RPGs are complex beasts, built around stacks of overlapping systems that work together to deliver immersive experiences to players looking to lose themselves in a world quite different from our own. Regardless of the setting or the story told, these games rely on a hefty dose of randomness as a core mechanic. In fact, many of the tricks they deploy behind the scenes are very similar to those used in casinos, where games of chance have long attracted crowds.
So, what exactly makes luck-based elements of RPGs so important, and how do they impact the gameplay from a player perspective? Here’s a brief explanation.
The Interplay of Risk and Reward
A compelling RPG requires players to make choices with meaningful consequences, much like the games in Impressario Casino are best enjoyed when real money is at risk. If there’s nothing to lose or gain by entering a high-level area or playing a hand of blackjack, there’s no impetus encouraging them to get involved. Whereas if there’s the promise of a legendary weapon drop, or a 3-to-2 payout when blackjack hits, the psychological incentive to take a risk is strong.
The Importance of Replayability
It’s perfectly possible to play and enjoy an RPG just once, but that’s not how franchises are built or copies sold in the long term. The easiest way to bring players back into the fold for another run is through randomness, which can take many forms.
Most conspicuously, RPGs that have procedurally generated levels offer endless replayability, and we’ve seen this in everything from Bloodborne to Dead Cells. Then there are those that have randomness assigned to loot drops, or even to the statistics of specific weapons or upgrade materials. That way, even if two players build identical characters, their experiences will diverge based on the luck of the draw, and they’ll want to return for more even after the final boss has fallen.
The Convenience of Cards
How chance is expressed and implemented in RPGs can be a behind-the-scenes affair, but the growing number of games that have card systems in place, or are entirely based around deckbuilding, makes the casino-style systems much more conspicuous. The success of Balatro cements this as a mainstream concern, with the combination of card-based play and RPG-esque elements for each run showing not only what’s possible when this is handled well, but how much player demand there is for it.
Aside from the convenience of expressing chance through cards, there’s also the advantage of injecting a degree of tactical control and skill into what might otherwise be a completely random experience. Unlike dice, where every roll is statistically independent, a deck of cards has memory. As cards are drawn, the remaining pool changes, allowing players to calculate shifting probabilities and shift the focus from pure luck to strategic adaptability.
Put simply, there’s an upside for players and developers alike when casino-style systems and tools are integrated with RPGs. It’s often why we keep playing, even if we’re not consciously aware of how the game is managing to pull us back in for one more run.