Pre-agree real-time ↔ turn-based switching for more flexibility when life happens

[Thomas Yverdon]

Suggested feature: an optional matchmaking setting where players pre-agree that real-time games can be switched to turn-based if needed

Please vote here: https://boardgamearena.com/bug?id=217731

Hi,
I’d like to suggest an improvement regarding switching between real-time and turn-based games.

Currently, it is already possible to switch from real-time to turn-based if both players agree. This is very useful when an interruption happens. However, in competitive games (Arena, ranked, tournaments, etc.), a refusal can force a player to resign or lose on time, even for unexpected real-life situations.

My suggestion would be to add a matchmaking option such as:
“Automatically accept switching from real-time to turn-based.”
Players who enable this option could be matched together, especially in competitive modes. This would help users who may face sudden interruptions: family needs, children waking up, urgent matters, connection issues, or simply not having enough uninterrupted time to finish a game.

It could also allow the reverse feature: once both players are online again, either player could request to switch back to real-time. Since both players had already agreed in advance to the real-time / turn-based flexibility, there would be no risk of one player being trapped because the opponent refuses to switch back later.

This would allow games to move smoothly between formats depending on players’ availability, making the platform more flexible and practical without harming competition.

Thanks for considering the idea.

[Thomas Yverdon]

A quick clarification in advance, since some people may say “if interruptions are possible, just play turn-based.”

Turn-based does not always solve the issue. Many players prefer real-time because they know exactly when they are playing and when they are not. You sit down, play one game, finish it, and move on.

With turn-based games, especially when time is limited, the alternative is often to run multiple games at once in order to actually get enough playtime. But that can create constant notifications, repeated interruptions, and fragmented attention throughout the day — which is not always ideal for family life, work, or simply peace of mind.

So this suggestion is not about asking for extra comfort or special treatment. It is about offering a more practical and flexible way to play, allowing people to enjoy real-time games when possible, while still having a safety net when real life unexpectedly gets in the way.

[Thomas Yverdon]

Some may say “just play Friendly mode,” but that does not fully solve it either. It is often harder to find players there, and many people also want to enjoy competitive games, ratings, or Arena events.

This suggestion is for players who want both competition and a practical solution when real life interrupts a real-time game.

[Ceaseless]

A real time game that can be switched to turn-based with the declaration of one player is just a turn-based game pretending it's real time. There is no obligation, or even expectation, of finishing in one sitting, as you or any other player can just say "nah" and change it at will. If a player wants to drag out the game just to annoy their opponent or to stall hoping to get a cancel or quit, they can switch the mode to turn-based at any point.

Suggested feature: an optional matchmaking setting where players pre-agree that real-time games can be switched to turn-based if needed

Please vote here: https://boardgamearena.com/bug?id=217731
It could also allow the reverse feature: once both players are online again, either player could request to switch back to real-time. Since both players had already agreed in advance to the real-time / turn-based flexibility, there would be no risk of one player being trapped because the opponent refuses to switch back later.

They don't need to refuse to switch back to real-time when they can just suggest switching from real time to turn-based again.

[Thomas Yverdon]

The key point is that this would be opt-in only, between willing players.

A feature should not be rejected simply because a minority might abuse it. For many good-faith players, this would be a genuinely useful quality-of-life option.