Field notes on how game mechanics actually work.

Randomness, reels, features and the rules games publish about themselves, explained without hype.

CoreHow Random Numbers Work in GamesComputers cannot roll dice. They run a formula that produces numbers which look random, and nearly every game outcome you see is built on that.
ReelsPaylines, Ways and Clusters: Three Ways a Slot Decides You WonThe grid of symbols is only half the game. The other half is the rule that decides which arrangements count as a win, and there are three common ones.
CoreVolatility and Hit Frequency: Two Numbers Behind the Feel of a GameTwo games can return the same share of stakes over time and feel nothing alike. Volatility and hit frequency are the reason.
FeaturesFree Spins and Multipliers: Anatomy of a Bonus RoundIn most modern slots the bonus round holds a large share of the game's total return. Understanding how it triggers and builds explains most of the game.
FeaturesCascading Reels: How One Spin Becomes SeveralIn a cascading game, winning symbols disappear and new ones fall into the gaps. A single paid spin can therefore produce a chain of wins.
CoreDemo Mode Versus Real Play: What Carries OverFree-play versions are the best way to learn a game's rules. They are a poor way to judge what a real session will be like, for reasons that have little to do with the software.
ReelsReading a Paytable in Five MinutesEvery game publishes its own rules. Most players never open them. Five things are worth finding before the first spin.

Darkmoon Project. Notes on how games work, not advice on playing them. About | Sitemap