   Visible damage
  I was just wondering how damage counters are programmed as in when you see the damage you are inflicting visibly on screen (numbers appearing above the creature you attack). (example: games such as Maplestory, Ragnarok and Castlevania) I'm not sure if this is in the right section but I have just always been curious and really wanted to know. If anyone could tell me i'd be very grateful. Is it a difficult thing to implement and how does it happen/work?   
  The numbers are computed by arbitrary formulas. It isn't difficult to program but can it can be hard to come up with a good formula, and balance the stats and factors for balance.   