A few weeks ago, in Part I [https://blog.kongregate.com/the-math-of-idle-games-part-i] of this three-part series, we looked at some of the standard math behind rapid-growth idle games, primarily at the relationships between exponential and polynomial growth and some methods of checking and adjusting the balance of the various generators over time. In Part II we’re going to explore a different option for growth outside of the Cookie Clicker model that the vast majority of idle games use these da

I’ve given a few talks in the past about the appeal and general mechanics of idle games, but what if you actually wanted to make one? Theory and patterns are nice, but there’s some complicated math running behind it. And how on earth do you balance a game that has insanely large numbers? This article is Part I of what will be a three-part series detailing topics covered in my most-recent talk [http://www.slideshare.net/AnthonyPecorella/quest-for-progress-gdc-europe-2016]. Part I discusses core