A Random Comment

[Lexxuk]

A computer cannot do random (on it's own), that's why it has pseudorandom in the name, it makes you *think* it's random when really it isn't, it's possible to ensure that the results you get from a pseudorandom number generator are exactly the same every time (i.e. you start the generator, write down the first 1,000,000,000 numbers, restart it and the same 1,000,000,000 numbers come up), which is a bit like having the same lottery numbers this week, next week, the week after and the week after that.

If you wanted true randomness you could use the keyboard/mouse/controller movements of a user to generate a random value which is then applied, so, I've no idea where I'm going with this except that SE's random isn't actually.... random, it's a fixed system of numbers which can be generated again and again and again.

[Shadex]

<Insert properly generated random number>

Item Synthesis? -20
Materia Melding? -40
Atma Drop? -60

Sure, they are confirming that they use really high quality and true random number generators. They just don't tell us whether or not they do anything with that number once it is generated. It is a simple, single line of code that can be used to control the flow of assets into and out of the game world. Little effort, high return.

*puts hand on top of head*

Yup, no tinfoil hat.