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Getting Started
6 Oct What is a controller deadzone? Fix stick drift and sticky aim Your controller stick never rests at exactly zero, so games ignore a small circle around the centre. That circle is the deadzone. Too big… PC Building
6 Oct How much RAM do you need for gaming? 16, 32 or 64 GB explained RAM is where your PC keeps everything it is using right now. If the game, Windows and your browser all fit, extra RAM does nothing. If they… Making Games
5 Oct How does a game enemy decide what to do? State machines for beginners Ever wondered how a game guard knows when to chase you? Most enemies run on a state machine: they are always in exactly one state, like… Game Mechanics
5 Oct What is a hitbox? Why some shots miss when you swear you hit Games don't check your shot against the pretty model. They check it against simple invisible shapes called hitboxes, and only those decide… Game Mechanics
4 Oct How does matchmaking work? Elo ratings and fair matches explained Matchmaking in most games starts with one number: a rating that estimates how likely you are to beat someone else. Elo, MMR and similar… Subscriptions
3 Oct Do you need fast internet for cloud gaming? Bandwidth vs lag explained Cloud gaming runs the game on a remote computer and streams the video to you, so it needs no console or gaming PC. Whether it feels good… Game Mechanics
2 Oct How does matchmaking pick your opponents? Skill ratings explained Matchmaking works by giving every player a hidden skill rating and trying to put you against opponents who give you about a 50% chance to… Parents
2 Oct In-game purchases and loot boxes: how to set spending limits Many games are free to start and then ask for money in small amounts: gems, skins, loot boxes and season passes. Small purchases add up… Game Mechanics
2 Oct Why does a 1% drop chance not mean 1 in 100? How game randomness works A 1% drop chance means each try has a 1 in 100 chance. It does not mean you get one every 100 tries, and the game does not remember your… Making Games
2 Oct What should your first game be? Why small is smart Most first games never get finished, because the plan grows faster than the skills. The cure is to finish something tiny: Pong, a single… PC Building
2 Oct Where should your PC budget go: CPU or graphics card? Your CPU and GPU form a production line, and the slower one sets the pace. That is the bottleneck, and it explains why the same money can… Subscriptions
2 Oct Is a game subscription worth it? A break-even calculator A game subscription is like a library card: lots to play while you pay, nothing to keep when you stop. Whether that beats buying depends on…
6 Oct What is a controller deadzone? Fix stick drift and sticky aim Your controller stick never rests at exactly zero, so games ignore a small circle around the centre. That circle is the deadzone. Too big… PC Building
6 Oct How much RAM do you need for gaming? 16, 32 or 64 GB explained RAM is where your PC keeps everything it is using right now. If the game, Windows and your browser all fit, extra RAM does nothing. If they… Making Games
5 Oct How does a game enemy decide what to do? State machines for beginners Ever wondered how a game guard knows when to chase you? Most enemies run on a state machine: they are always in exactly one state, like… Game Mechanics
5 Oct What is a hitbox? Why some shots miss when you swear you hit Games don't check your shot against the pretty model. They check it against simple invisible shapes called hitboxes, and only those decide… Game Mechanics
4 Oct How does matchmaking work? Elo ratings and fair matches explained Matchmaking in most games starts with one number: a rating that estimates how likely you are to beat someone else. Elo, MMR and similar… Subscriptions
3 Oct Do you need fast internet for cloud gaming? Bandwidth vs lag explained Cloud gaming runs the game on a remote computer and streams the video to you, so it needs no console or gaming PC. Whether it feels good… Game Mechanics
2 Oct How does matchmaking pick your opponents? Skill ratings explained Matchmaking works by giving every player a hidden skill rating and trying to put you against opponents who give you about a 50% chance to… Parents
2 Oct In-game purchases and loot boxes: how to set spending limits Many games are free to start and then ask for money in small amounts: gems, skins, loot boxes and season passes. Small purchases add up… Game Mechanics
2 Oct Why does a 1% drop chance not mean 1 in 100? How game randomness works A 1% drop chance means each try has a 1 in 100 chance. It does not mean you get one every 100 tries, and the game does not remember your… Making Games
2 Oct What should your first game be? Why small is smart Most first games never get finished, because the plan grows faster than the skills. The cure is to finish something tiny: Pong, a single… PC Building
2 Oct Where should your PC budget go: CPU or graphics card? Your CPU and GPU form a production line, and the slower one sets the pace. That is the bottleneck, and it explains why the same money can… Subscriptions
2 Oct Is a game subscription worth it? A break-even calculator A game subscription is like a library card: lots to play while you pay, nothing to keep when you stop. Whether that beats buying depends on…