History Main / RandomlyGeneratedLoot

* ''VideoGame/{{Angband}}'' and its variants have ego items and random artifacts. One starts with a basic item, like a Hard Studded Leather [7,+0]. With a numeric bonus, that might be a Hard Studded Leather [7,+3]. If it gets an ego, it might be an Elven Hard Studded Leather (increases stealth, detects orcs), a Hard Studded Leather of Resist Fire (reduces fire damage), or with two egos, an Elven Hard Studded Leather of Resist Fire! If it becomes a random artifact (or randart), it receives a unique name, like ''the'' Elven Hard Studded Leather of Felorith, and some random powers. Because this is ''Angband'', most ego items and randarts look like average junk until the player identifies or psuedo-identifies the items.

When this is done with levels, see RandomlyGeneratedLevels. Compare and contrast DesignItYourselfEquipment (when the player can control the stats themselves), SocketedEquipment (where the player can determine bonuses themselves) and the SwordOfPlotAdvancement (which is usually fixed). SuperTrope of RandomDrop.

* ''TricksterOnline'' uses this trope for [[RareRandomDrop Boss Unique drops]], [[RandomDrop Master Equipment from non upgraded bosses]], equipment from the towers (both from hunting and drilling) and the common variants in the maps...

When this is done with levels, see RandomlyGeneratedLevels. Compare and contrast DesignItYourselfEquipment (when the player can control the stats themselves), SocketedEquipment (where the player can determine bonuses themselves) and the SwordOfPlotAdvancement (which is usually fixed). SubTrope of RandomDrops.

** Subverted by most games in the series. Non-unique equipment typically follows the "<Material> <Weapon> of <Powerful> <Effect>" naming format, however it only RandomlyDrops and has its enchantment scaled to the player's level.
** ''Videogame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'' averts it with loot outside of containers, which is hand placed and never changes. Savvy veteran players can find extremely high level loot well before it will start being randomly generated in containers. Containers are instead filled from "leveled lists" of items, giving players a better chance of finding good loot at higher levels, with the Luck attribute also playing a role in what appears.

** Subverted by most games in the series. Non-unique equipment typically follows the "X weapon of Y" naming format [[note]][crafting material] weapon of [adjective corresponding to a power level]ous [enchantment effect]]ing, to be exact.[[/note]], however it only RandomlyDrops and has its enchantment scaled to the player's level.

* Subverted by ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series. Equipment appears to follow the "X weapon of Y" naming format [[note]][craftsmanship] weapon of [adjective corresponding to a power level]ous [enchantment effect]]ing, to be exact.[[/note]], however it only RandomlyDrops and has its enchantment scaled to the player's level.
** ''Videogame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'' averts it with loot outside of containers, which is hand placed and never changes. Savvy veteran players can find extremely high level loot well before it will start being randomly generated in containers.

* ''SuperSmashBros for 3DS\[=WiiU=]'' has equipment, which a fighter can equip three of, each of which increases one stat, and decreases another, and sometimes giving another advantage or penalty. Anyone can equip badges, but there are other types that only a few fighters (or just one) can use.

* In ''VideoGame/StarTrekOnline'' items of rarity higher than "common" have a list of modifiers that can be added (uncommon gets one, rare gets two, very rare gets three). Some can be bought in particular configurations from vendors, but RandomDrops are procedurally generated.

The downside, of course, is that randomness is the enemy of skill development. To get good at something--a FightingGame, a Roguelike, TabletopGame/{{chess}}--you need to do it over and over, learning as you do about patterns and behaviors. Eventually, you reach a point where you can guess what's going to happen next, and what to do under those circumstances. RandomlyGeneratedLoot can slow down this process because one of the things you need to know about are your own character's capabilities--and when those are constantly changing because you're constantly swapping out new equipment, you can't establish a baseline and will have trouble learning to play or fight to the best of your abilities. (This is a big reason why games like ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' have random elements, like CriticalHits, turned off during high-level TournamentPlay.)

This trope has the odd side effect of invoking VideoGameCaringPotential: the loot that emerges from the RandomNumberGod can have a lot of personality, and it's not unusual for players to get attached to their various pieces of gear. Of course, no matter how great your [[ShockAndAwe Sparking]] [[VideoGame/DeadSpace3 Shootbanger]] of [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe +5 Fortitude]] is, there's always something greater awaiting you in the next dungeon, so it can be advisable to keep your emotional distance.

When this is done with levels, see RandomlyGeneratedLevels. Compare and contrast DesignItYourselfEquipment (when the player can control the stats themselves), SocketedEquipment (where the player can determine bonuses themselves and the SwordOfPlotAdvancement (which is usually fixed). SubTrope of RandomDrops.

This trope covers equipment which is [[ProceduralGeneration generated using random numbers by the game engine]] rather than being hard-coded into the game. Obviously the algorithms used for this vary, but usually involve some combination of;

* ''Videogame/RogueLegacy'': Randomised item appearences can furnish you with powerful new equipment or rooms full of fiendish monsters, depending on how the RNG is feeling. Fortunately your next character may be more lucky in their new castle.

* Ranges for calculating the stats (this might entail a maximum and/or minimum number[[note]]e.g. No matter what number the RNG produces, attack will be rounded up to X or capped at Y if it falls outside that range.[[/note]] or using a specific modifier[[note]]e.g. After the RNG returns a base value, the attack modifier for this weapon is +X[[/note]]).

* ''PerfectWorld'': When a player [[ItemCrafting crafts an item]] it uses a template with randomly generated stats.

* Some sort of system for generating a name for each unique variant (e.g. a Plothook might be called the Plothook of Troping if it has a bonus to Troping, a Plothook of Flaming if it deals fire damage, or a Swift Plothook if the "attack speed" stat rolls higher than average).

** ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'': All the items you get have different stats, Even if they're the same items. (Example: One [[InfinityPlusOneSword Yoshitsuna]] has 3 more INT ponies then another Yoshitsuna, but 5 less STR points) You can make the items stronger with specialists and LevelGrinding in the Item World.

* In ''VideoGame/StarTrekOnline'' most items of rarity higher than "common" has a list of modifiers that can be added (uncommon gets one, rare gets two, very rare gets three). Some can be bought in particular configurations from vendors, but RandomDrops are procedurally generated.

!Examples:

* The ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' franchise uses a system where its equipment (guns, class mods, shields, grenade mods and, in the sequel, artifacts) is built up from randomly chosen parts which have different traits (although the player can only see this in the stats and the [[GunPorn unique model]] this produces). It also has several manufacturers, who all have their own unique gun parts and special effects (even more so in the sequel).

[[AC: First Person Shooter]]

[[AC: MMORPG]]

[[AC: Role Playing Game]]

[[AC:Roguelike]]

[[AC: Strategy]]