Game Mechanics
How games work under the hood.
9 guides
Game Mechanics
17 Oct What is rubber banding? Why racing game opponents always catch up Ever pulled far ahead in a racing game, only to find the computer cars right behind you a moment later? That is rubber banding: a hidden… Game Mechanics
15 Oct Is the loot drop rigged? RNG, drop rates and pity timers explained Ever gone ten drops in a row without the item you wanted? It feels rigged, but it is usually just random chance doing what it does. This… Game Mechanics
13 Oct What is aim assist? How games help controller players aim Aim assist is the small, hidden help that shooters give controller players: the crosshair slows down near an enemy, and the view quietly… Game Mechanics
11 Oct Delay or rollback? How online games hide lag: netcode explained Online games have to keep two computers in agreement while messages take time to travel. Delay-based netcode waits for both players'… Game Mechanics
9 Oct Why does 60 FPS still feel choppy? Frame time and stutter explained Your game says 60 FPS but still feels choppy? The counter shows an average. What your eyes notice is frame time, the gap between each… 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… 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… 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…
17 Oct What is rubber banding? Why racing game opponents always catch up Ever pulled far ahead in a racing game, only to find the computer cars right behind you a moment later? That is rubber banding: a hidden… Game Mechanics
15 Oct Is the loot drop rigged? RNG, drop rates and pity timers explained Ever gone ten drops in a row without the item you wanted? It feels rigged, but it is usually just random chance doing what it does. This… Game Mechanics
13 Oct What is aim assist? How games help controller players aim Aim assist is the small, hidden help that shooters give controller players: the crosshair slows down near an enemy, and the view quietly… Game Mechanics
11 Oct Delay or rollback? How online games hide lag: netcode explained Online games have to keep two computers in agreement while messages take time to travel. Delay-based netcode waits for both players'… Game Mechanics
9 Oct Why does 60 FPS still feel choppy? Frame time and stutter explained Your game says 60 FPS but still feels choppy? The counter shows an average. What your eyes notice is frame time, the gap between each… 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… 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… 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…