The terms Real-time and Turn-based are misleading

[fruktansvärt]

I have always felt this, so I looked it up to check if it was warranted. The Wikipedia article Turns, rounds and time-keeping systems in games uses different definitions than BGA. Real-time is when game-time progresses whether you're paying attention or not, as in simulation or multiplayer video games. Turn-based is how all (?) games on BGA works, game flow is partitioned into defined parts (turns, moves, plays), and the game waits until players are finished.

So BGA Real-time is not really real-time, and Turn-based is actually how all games on BGA are played. Confusing.

I would suggest using the terms "Online play" and "Offline play" instead.

Thoughts? Comments?

[robinzig]

I'm not sure that article is particularly useful - note the flag at the top of the page listing multiple issues as flagged by Wikipedia users and/or admins (I'm not familiar enough with editing on Wikipedia to know exactly what this means, but clearly more than a few people think there are problems with this). It also seems to be mostly talking about video games, despite the weasel "and other" words in the intro.

In online boardgame sites, not just BGA, as far as I understand it the 2 terms are widely used and understood to mean what BGA means by them. It makes sense to me: games are "real time" because you can (and should!) play the game in a continuous session, at the same time as the other players. In other words you are devoting a block of "real time" to the game, just as you would with an in-person boardgaming session. As opposed to turn-based where (unless multiple players are online at the same time and decide to take several moves in a row) you generally take your turn and then come back to it at a different time, whether later that day, the next day, or days or weeks later.

[RobertBr]

I have always felt this, so I looked it up to check if it was warranted. ...
Thoughts? Comments?

Are you a native English speaker? I am and the terms seem to fall entirely within the normal usage of the words. Your alternative suggestions seems much more confusing.

[Romain672]

Outside of a few board games* real time in 'your' definition make no sense.

*I've got 7 in bga, those not in alpha being Spot it, Concept, Reflection, Solo and the crew deep sea but i only know less than half of them

[fruktansvärt]

okay then.

[Watno]

Outside of a few board games* real time in 'your' definition make no sense.

*I've got 7 in bga, those not in alpha being Spot it, Concept, Reflection, Solo and the crew deep sea but i only know less than half of them

Which is why BGA shouldn't use that word. OP is right that the terms used are confusing, however the suggested alternatievs are even worse imo.

[KongKing123]

I would suggest using the terms "Online play" and "Offline play" instead.

Thoughts? Comments?

I've never had this confusion, but I can somewhat understand the point.

However, the terms you suggest are much more unclear. Better terms would be "synchronous" and "asynchronous".

The odds of them being changed are virtually non-existent though, seeing how embedded they are in the site and player base.

[fruktansvärt]

Better terms would be "synchronous" and "asynchronous".

It's really the term "Turn-based" I have the most trouble with (as games are turn-based even when playing in Real-time).
Can we adopt half your suggestion and go for "Real-time" and "Asynchronous"?

The odds of them being changed are virtually non-existent though, seeing how embedded they are in the site and player base.

Mmm, possibly. But the first step is starting a discussion.

[fruktansvärt]

Additionally, I've noticed that BGA inconsistently uses all three spellings: Turn based, Turn-based, Turnbased.
Yet another reason to change the term!

[Jellby]

Yes, to add asynchronous, non-synchronous, offline, and off-line to the mix