These recreational activities utilize multi-sided dice beyond the standard cube to introduce increased randomization and complexity. A common example is a tabletop role-playing game where the outcome of an action, such as attacking an opponent, is determined by rolling a 20-sided die and comparing the result to character statistics.
The significance of these gaming systems lies in their capacity to generate emergent narratives and strategic depth. By incorporating a wider range of possible outcomes, they allow for a greater degree of unpredictability and player agency, fostering creative problem-solving and collaborative storytelling. The origins of these games can be traced back to the mid-20th century, evolving from wargaming traditions and contributing to the development of modern game design.