How to roll a dice using GameplayKit and GKRandomDistribution

Paul Hudson    September 15th 2016    @twostraws

GameplayKit's random number generator includes help constructors that produces numbers in a specific range, simulating a six-sided die and a 20-sided die. To get started you should import the GameplayKit framework like this:

import GameplayKit

You can then create a virtual six-sided die and "roll" it like this:

let d6 = GKRandomDistribution.d6()
d6.nextInt()

For a 20-sided die, do this:

let d20 = GKRandomDistribution.d20()
d20.nextInt()

If you want to set your own range for the virtual die, there's a special constructor just for you:

let massiveDie = GKRandomDistribution(lowestValue: 1, highestValue: 556)
massiveDie.nextInt()

Available from iOS 9.0 – see Hacking with Swift tutorial 35

Did this solution work for you? Please pass it on!

Tweet

Other people are reading…

• How to write text using SKLabelNode
• How to add a fragment shader to an SKSpriteNode using SKShader
• How to generate a random number with GKRandomSource
• How to emit particles using SKEmitterNode
• How to make one sprite draw in front of another using zPosition

About the Swift Knowledge Base

This is part of the Swift Knowledge Base, a free, searchable collection of solutions for common iOS questions.