Video gaming remains one of the most popular hobbies and reaches all around the world. Key to its popularity is the ability it’s shown to evolve and meet ever-changing player demands. Online video gaming is a prime example of this and something gamers all across the world love to get involved with.
Safety is always a major factor when playing online, and this is also true for ensuring the fairness of digital titles. Developers achieve this by using systems within their games that keep things fair for people.
Fair play key across online gaming
Although systems that ensure fair play are crucial in online video gaming, they’re also vital in other digital gaming niches.
This is because they perform the same function of keeping players safe and making sure games are fair to load up. It also avoids game developers or game platforms using shady practices to tilt things in their favor!
One of the best examples of this is online casino play. Systems like random number generation are used in these digital titles to ensure fairness on each spin/hand. The best sites, as shown at https://www.casinomeister.com/, all use this kind of tech to offer players an honest gaming experience.
What systems are used to ensure fairness in online gaming?
When it comes to online video games, there are a few key systems that help keep things fair for players. But what are the most important to know about?
Balance systems in online video games
These systems ensure items and gameplay mechanics are fair to players. They ensure a balanced gameworld that is not unfairly tilted against gamers and is not seen as exploitative to them.
Good examples of these systems include
- Regular balance patches that adjust character stats/abilities to guard against dominant metas
- Data-driven balance systems that drive game adjustments through user performance analytics
- Systems that ensure fair monetization and prevent unfair pay-to-win gaming experiences
Game integrity systems
Another key system for fairer online gaming relates to game integrity. These systems are designed to stop unfair advantages for some players, which negatively others, and to maintain equal competition with the game environment.
This has the overall effect of upholding the integrity of the gameplay and making titles that use these systems fair to try.
Many online titles, for example, will use client-side anti-cheat software to stop unauthorized game modifications that favor certain players over others. Dynamic updates to game security systems help counter fresh cheat methods and keep the game fair for all.
Matchmaking systems
A core concept for fair games online via consoles like the PS5 is fairness of competition. This ensures gaming systems match players of similar skill levels/playing styles to give everyone an equal chance of winning.
The most widely used matchmaking systems developers use include
- Skill-based matchmaking systems, which create balanced matches through quantified skills levels
- Role-focused matchmaking systems, which deliver balanced team combinations in online multi-play
- Systems that detect experienced players using new accounts to play against less experienced players/levels
Moderation and enforcement systems
Most online video games now include systems that enforce fairness and moderate it. These are key to helping developers keep an eye on the fairness their titles offer and giving players a channel to report any concerns they have in this area.
In-game reporting tools, for example, allow players to quickly report cheating by others and flag up where they have experienced unfair gameplay experiences. This then gives developers the information needed to address this and make the game fairer to try again.
Community guidelines for specific games are key networks for maintaining fair play. These enable developers to clearly set out what is acceptable in terms of gameplay and spell out any penalties for unfair player behavior. This boosts fairness and discourages people from trying to play in an unfair way.
Systems for fair in-game purchases
A lot of online games now give players the chance to make in-game purchases, such as loot boxes, maps, exclusive items, or custom skins.
Systems that govern these in-game transactions are key to ensuring their fairness and safety. Probability disclosure systems, for example, tell players the drop rate for loot boxes before buying, so they can see how worthwhile the purchase is in advance.
Marketplace monitoring systems keep things fair by stopping in-game purchase scams and the duping of digital assets. Purchase confirmation systems are used to stop accidental buys and make the whole online experience safer for gamers.
What’s next for fair online gaming systems?
Gaming as a sector is full of rumors and gossip about what’s due to happen next. You only have to look at people saying the next God War could be a 2.5d Metroidvania set in Ancient Greece for proof of this!
But how are things looking for the future of fairer gaming systems?
The most obvious evolution to focus on is how AI and machine learning will be integrated into these systems. By making use of these kinds of next-gen tech, game developers can build systems that offer even greater scope for fairer gameplay.
Fairer play driven by online gaming systems
Online gaming is now a popular way to play and gives players access to some of the best video games around. It’s key to stay safe when playing digitally, though, and ensuring a fair gaming experience is crucial to this. The game industry recognizes this and uses a variety of systems to keep things above board for online players.
