Games
Discover facts about games. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Games
How slot machines across states feed one jackpot
A small percentage from thousands of machines across multiple states feeds the shared jackpot, so the prize grows far beyond what any one venue could offer.
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Why video poker must follow a payout schedule
The law requires video poker software to match the probabilities of drawing cards from an unrigged deck.
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Why Skyrim’s characters sound strangely familiar
Voice actors play multiple roles, so a familiar performance can return through a different shopkeeper, guard, or enemy. The repetition is especially…
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Why the PlayStation 2 had an Emotion Engine
Sony marketed its custom CPU in 1999 as the “Emotion Engine,” suggesting it could render lifelike characters and interactions. The name was promotional, not a…
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How Dota 2 fans fund its giant prize pools
Fans buy digital compendiums, and part of the sales goes toward Dota 2's prize pool, helping fund the multimillion-dollar rewards for winning teams.
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A major video game release can earn more than the biggest theatrical films
A single highly anticipated game release can outgross even the biggest theatrical releases in total revenue.
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Celebrities are frequently paid millions just to tweet
Stars may promote mobile games they don't actually play, yet their endorsements can still drive downloads.
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Pan European board ratings differ vastly from Americans
The same game’s depictions of violence or obscenity can lead to different age restrictions depending on cultural standards.
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Electronic Arts pays hundreds of millions for NFL rights
EA’s exclusive NFL license means fans looking for an officially licensed NFL simulation have no competing game from another publisher to choose from.
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Why Redbox abandoned its rental kiosks
As digital rentals made watching instantly possible, returning a physical disc became less appealing, and Redbox's kiosk business became financially…
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Sony acquired Bungie studios for three point six billion
Sony’s deal was part of its push into live-service games. Bungie had also created a major franchise for Sony’s rival, Microsoft.
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How Roblox creators make money from virtual items
Creators sell virtual items and minigames to players, while Roblox takes a share of the revenue.
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You can buy advertising space on a video-game track
Companies can buy advertising placements along virtual racetracks, turning the scenery players drive past into paid ad space.
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OnLive tried cloud gaming before the internet was ready
OnLive streamed games over broadband that was too slow to handle them reliably, and the service collapsed before internet connections could catch up.
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Why Lego video games sold by the hundreds of millions
Players smash virtual bricks to collect studs, with slapstick comedy built into the loop—a formula behind hundreds of millions of copies sold.
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Brand sponsorships heavily entirely carry professional gaming
Energy-drink advertising supplies much of the money behind competitive gaming, with brands paying to put their logos on team jerseys.
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Professional competitive teams heavily rely on venture capital
Investors pour money into unproven esports teams and organizations hoping their value will rise, making it a high-risk bet.
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Gran Turismo has launched real racing careers
Nissan and PlayStation's GT Academy selected Gran Turismo players through virtual racing, then put finalists through real driving challenges and training. The…
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GameFly still mails video games
GameFly still rents video games by mail, giving players a way to borrow physical copies instead of paying full price for digital releases.
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Physical collector editions heavily rely on cheap statues
Collector’s editions often boost their price with a mass-produced statue, even when the figure itself is cheaply made.
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How Fortnite concerts reach millions without a world tour
A performance captured in a motion-capture studio can reach millions of players at once, without the artists having to tour the world.
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How Tomb Raider turned Cambodia into a tourist draw
The film’s star power helped draw tourists to Cambodia, showing how a Hollywood production can influence travel.
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How internet forums sent GameStop’s stock soaring
Online users rallied around the struggling retailer to spite hedge funds, turning it into the center of a global market frenzy.
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League of Legends filled a World Cup stadium
Around 40,000 fans attended the 2014 world final in Seoul, while Riot reported 27 million viewers across the broadcast. The players were operating computers,…
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