Korvessa | 27 Jan 2014 4:59 p.m. PST |
Recently played (via) email "On to Moscow" (Great Northern War). For the first time ever, I used a computer generated die roll program for about 95% of the rolls (except when I didn't feel like walking from game room to the computer) ended up having about 100 die rolls. The funny thing, during the game it "felt" like the Swedes were getting better die rolls. For example, one time they rolled 3 out of 4 "ones" – but on this occasion ones were good. But in the end, the average die roll was 3.5 for the Russians and 3.6 for the Swedes |
darthfozzywig | 27 Jan 2014 5:09 p.m. PST |
I'll use Dicenomicon upon occasion (usually when I'm somewhere without dice), which is great for some games/situations with lots of dice and/or re-rolls. I still prefer rolling physical dice (clatter! Clatter!), but it's nice to have options. |
darthfozzywig | 27 Jan 2014 5:17 p.m. PST |
Of course, Dicenomicon has very nice dice-rolling SFX. |
Mako11 | 27 Jan 2014 5:32 p.m. PST |
Perhaps the application/software had a Swedish programmer. |
Streitax | 27 Jan 2014 5:37 p.m. PST |
Getting random numbers from a computer that are truly random is not easy. I think you found that out. I don't know anything specific about the programs that are available to a gamer, however. |
TNE2300 | 27 Jan 2014 5:48 p.m. PST |
that's the thing about randomness you can never be sure link |
ArmymenRGreat | 27 Jan 2014 5:50 p.m. PST |
Getting truly random numbers from a computer is actually *impossible*. Software random number generators are usually seeded with a number (like the timer), in order to pick the start location for the pseudo-random numbers. That said, they are certainly random enough for gaming purposes, as shown above. 3.5 is dead on and 3.6 is pretty darn close. |
vagamer63 | 27 Jan 2014 6:02 p.m. PST |
The program for generating die roll results no matter how many sides of the die, or number of die involved only takes about five lines of computer code. It's a basic algebraic expression. Now you can add in a few logarithms to increase the probability of random numbers, but it will never be as truly random as just rolling the real thing! |
Dynaman8789 | 27 Jan 2014 6:48 p.m. PST |
Compter dice "rolls" can be more random then real dice if based on the millisec that a person presses a button |
Brian Smaller | 27 Jan 2014 8:36 p.m. PST |
I use Microsoft Excel as my random dice generator. |
Weddier | 27 Jan 2014 9:09 p.m. PST |
Anyone know of a smartphone app for this? |
Temporary like Achilles | 27 Jan 2014 9:22 p.m. PST |
I don't like computer generated dice. Whenever I get a string of results such as the same number in a row three or four times I start to get suspicious. I may be wrong to, but number strings seems to occur a lot more frequently, in VASSAL at least, than they do when I roll real dice. It might just be my perception of course, so it's hard to be sure! Cheers, Aaron |
Sergeant Paper | 27 Jan 2014 11:14 p.m. PST |
Thanks, darthfozzywig, for mentioning the Dicenomicon. I've just added it to my iphone. It should work great for two hour wargames and SOBH rolls. |
darthfozzywig | 27 Jan 2014 11:16 p.m. PST |
Weddier, Dicenomicon is the tops for games. Not only is it set with all the expected dice, etc, you can easily create scripts for game-specific sets, add images and whatnot for custom dice, etc. Great stuff. |
darthfozzywig | 27 Jan 2014 11:18 p.m. PST |
And as has new noted above, computers use a seed number from which to generate "random" numbers and are thus not truly random. Having said that, they are still more random than the typical gamer-quality dice we roll with unevenly-worn edges on uneven surfaces. :) |
Recovered 1AO | 28 Jan 2014 3:33 a.m. PST |
As an ex- programmer/Database Analyst I appreciate these: "Getting truly random numbers from a computer is actually *impossible*. Software random number generators are usually seeded with a number (like the timer), in order to pick the start location for the pseudo-random numbers." "I don't like computer generated dice. Whenever I get a string of results such as the same number in a row three or four times I start to get suspicious." Back when I wrote COBOL programs we would debate whether it was the code or the seed number that cause the string. Though I have heard a friend tell of 10 D6 rolled for (1's needed) for legions crossing the river in a campaign and 4 making it across first turn, so it can happen. LOL, "Having said that, they are still more random than the typical gamer-quality dice we roll with unevenly-worn edges on uneven surfaces. :)" Dice box/roller and I check the dice I supply/allow for a game before hand. |
ashill2 | 28 Jan 2014 4:13 a.m. PST |
I note what people have said about true randomness but I can recall rolling a string of 1s with dice. I particularly recall a game of DBM where I had 8 elements in combat. I rolled six 1s a 2 and a 3, my opponent rolled only 5s and 6s. In the next game, using the same dice, I rolled a much more random set of scores. |
JezEger | 28 Jan 2014 4:41 a.m. PST |
Don't forget that dice have no memory. You are just as likely to roll a 1 after a one as any other number, predicting you will roll two 1's before you pick up the dice is another matter. Dice that constantly roll a certain number do need looking at however. Proper dice (ie casino dice) make sure that the weight of the paint used to fill the dots is equal to the lost weight of the holes in the dice and are accurate on all sides to .777 of an inch, the dice are also checked for chips and air bubbles. Anything other than that is not going to be truly random, and you are bound to have some with a biase. I would take the computer generated randomness every time. Source, 25 years checking dice with micrometers before opening the craps table at work. |
vtsaogames | 28 Jan 2014 8:53 a.m. PST |
Yeah, I've seen strings rolled with real dice. One friend rolled yahtzee with ones when he wanted sixes. My current house rules use a lot of D6's. Better units roll more, etc. The luck seems to come in runs – loads of crap dice then loads of killer dice, then a bunch of so-so dice. |
(Phil Dutre) | 28 Jan 2014 9:17 a.m. PST |
Whatever program or app you use, make sure it's one that visualizes the rolling dice – just to make sure the computer doesn't cheat. |
emckinney | 28 Jan 2014 7:48 p.m. PST |
"RANDOM.ORG offers true random numbers to anyone on the Internet. The randomness comes from atmospheric noise, which for many purposes is better than the pseudo-random number algorithms typically used in computer programs." random.org |
Korvessa | 06 Feb 2014 11:35 a.m. PST |
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