RNGer

RNGer is a term used in online communities to describe a person who studies, uses, or investigates random number generators (RNGs). The word is applied across gaming forums, programming groups, and academic discussions to refer to practitioners who focus on the behavior, quality, or practical effects of RNGs in software and games.

Activities commonly associated with RNGers include evaluating RNG algorithms (such as linear congruential generators, Mersenne Twister, PCG, and xoroshiro), testing randomness with statistical test suites (for example Diehard, Dieharder, NIST, or TestU01), documenting seeding methods, and exploring how RNG outputs influence gameplay or simulations. In game contexts, RNGers may document mechanics, identify quirks, and sometimes attempt to predict outcomes, which raises ethical considerations about fair play and exploitation.

In research and development settings, RNGers contribute to software libraries, cryptography, and simulations by implementing or testing RNGs, analyzing entropy sources, and comparing performance metrics like period, distribution uniformity, and speed. They distinguish between non-cryptographic RNGs used for simulations and cryptographically secure RNGs used for security-sensitive applications.

Because RNGer is not a formal title, there is no single authority or canonical profile. The term is descriptive rather than nominative and may be applied to hobbyists, students, or professionals who work with randomness. Related topics include random number generation, RNG testing methodologies, and entropy sources.