Game Mechanics
How games work under the hood.
10 guides
Game Mechanics
29 Oct Why do levels get slower? XP curves and level pacing explained Why do levels get slower the higher you go? Because the game charges more XP for each level, and that price list is called an XP curve… Game Mechanics
23 Oct Why does armor stop helping? Flat, percentage and diminishing returns explained Why does armor stop helping? Flat, percentage and diminishing returns are three different rules for turning an armor number into less… Game Mechanics
21 Oct How does matchmaking pick your opponents? Skill ratings and Elo explained Matchmaking tries to give you a fair fight, and it does that with a skill number. Learn how the Elo idea turns two ratings into a win… Game Mechanics
19 Oct What is a hitbox? Why some shots miss even when they look good Every character in a game has an invisible shape that decides whether a shot lands, and it is much simpler than the model you see. This… 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
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…
29 Oct Why do levels get slower? XP curves and level pacing explained Why do levels get slower the higher you go? Because the game charges more XP for each level, and that price list is called an XP curve… Game Mechanics
23 Oct Why does armor stop helping? Flat, percentage and diminishing returns explained Why does armor stop helping? Flat, percentage and diminishing returns are three different rules for turning an armor number into less… Game Mechanics
21 Oct How does matchmaking pick your opponents? Skill ratings and Elo explained Matchmaking tries to give you a fair fight, and it does that with a skill number. Learn how the Elo idea turns two ratings into a win… Game Mechanics
19 Oct What is a hitbox? Why some shots miss even when they look good Every character in a game has an invisible shape that decides whether a shot lands, and it is much simpler than the model you see. This… 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
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…