Board Game Arena

Firstly, thank you for a fantastic site. I've only used it for a few days but it's the most addicting thing I've ever experienced. Well done!

I do have one small suggestion though. As it currently stands, running out of time let's the other player expel you which causes you to lose ranking and, I presume, get a time-out count. While this punishes the player who times-out it also punishes the other player who loses potential ranking, as the timed out player in my experience is often about to lose the game. To me it would seem a better solution to treat a time-out like a regular loss but with the added sanction of a time-out count. The same hold's true for quitting.

Do others agree with me? Or is there something I haven't thought of that would make this solution impractical?

All input is appreciated!

The only problem I see with this is that as soon as someone's time runs out the opponent can just end the game for a quick win, even if they themselves were about to lose. I believe there are legitimate reasons sometimes that time goes over (maybe you have a ridiculous amount of +action cards in Dominion, for example). That being said, I do see your point. Maybe there could be a second barrier of time that would let you actually win the game. Or maybe if the player is completely inactive for a certain amount of time. However, not sure if it is totally fair to be able to determine winner or loser as soon as that threshold is breached. my $0.02

Perhaps allow a certain amount grace time outs before it counts against you?

Thanks for your comments!

I can definitely see your point as well. One way to avoid that situation would perhaps be to simply choose a sufficient period of time at game start. When you wan't to play a long, intricate game or just want to be able to employ +card/+action strategies ad nauseum in Dominion you choose a longer allotted time and when you only have time to play an action round of Gosu filled with split-second decisions you can choose the shorter period, without having to expel the other player when he runs out of time because you have to be somewhere else.