Board Game Arena

Say that I am trying to create a new game for others to join, and I select a "Turn-Based" game.
Then in the "Game Speed" selection area, I select "2 moves per day."
What exactly (and I mean exactly) does this mean, and exactly how does it (the timer/clock) work for each player to make their move?

My thoughts, but not sure ...

For example, if I select "2 moves per day," does that mean each player is required to make "2 moves" (at least) within a 24-hour period? (And if so, when exactly does this 24-hour period, start?)

Or if I select "2 moves per day," does this mean you must make one move every 12 hours (24 hours divided by "2" equals 12 hours) ?
And the timer starts exactly when the player-before-you, has completed their last move? Or when does the timer/clock start for the next player ?
(And following this same concept ... Does selecting "3 moves per day" mean you must make one move every 8 hours (24 divided by 3 = 8) ?

Detailed response(s) please. Include a 2, AND a 3 "moves per day" example, in your response please.
Any developers reading this ... please respond/answer.
Thank you everyone.

"Turn-based 2 moves per day" is a Fischer time control capped at 36 hours. Every time your turn starts you get 12 hours added to your clock, up to the cap.

"Turn-based 3 moves per day" is a Fischer time control capped at 24 hours. Every time your turn starts you get 8 hours added to your clock, up to the cap.

"Turn-based 4 moves per day" is a Fischer time control capped at 24 hours. Every time your turn starts you get 6 hours added to your clock, up to the cap.


When you get into "fast turn-based" things get different, because the clock only runs for 12 hours per day. The person who sets up the game chooses the window in which the clock will be active. You will see this window displayed in your local time.

"Fast turn-based 8 moves per day" is a Fischer time control capped at 12 hours. Every time your turn starts you get 90 minutes added to your clock, up to the cap.

OK. I have never really understood the Fischer time control, but now I get the general understanding.
Thank you for the response.

As far as the "capped" hours for each selection (like "36 hours" for "Turn-based 2 moves per day"), how is that determined ? (Did the developers just arbitrarily determine "36" to be a fair "capped number" for players ?)
And was this "capped number of hours" noted when making the game selections, because if so, I missed that.

Or like "turn-based 3 moves per day" being capped at 24 hours. And "Turn-based 4 moves per day" also capped at 24 hours.
How was the "capped" hours determined to be "24 hours" for those two selections ?

"2 moves per day" is just a mnemonic. The actual relevant setting appears (at least in the "old" lobby), below the button when you select it: "+12h00 per turn (maximum 36h00)"

That's the only "2 moves per day" setting, so you can't choose +12h00 per turn with a different maximum.

The time is per user, which then means:
1. You must be able to play at least 2 moves per day. Otherwise, you are at risk of running out of time if all other players play instantly.
2. There should be at least 2 moves per day at the table (not 2 moves per player, 2 moves in total). Otherwise, some player will be running out of time.

So, #1 gives you the fastest speed that's expected from you. You can still play faster, but you shouldn't play slower.
And #2 gives you the slowest speed you could expect for the game. It will probably be faster, but no guarantees.

Los28 wrote: ↑08 May 2025, 04:02 OK. I have never really understood the Fischer time control, but now I get the general understanding.
Thank you for the response.

Capped Fischer is a bucket of time. When you move you get some time poured into your bucket. The bucket is only so big though, so at some point it's full and you can't gain any more time. As long as it's never empty you can't time out.

Since you're interested in the details, I would strongly suggest you stop using the new game lobby interface.

Instead click on "Play Now" at the top. Make sure the 3 giant menus on that page are set to "Simple Game" - "Turn Based" - "Manual".

Then select a game from the bottom of that page. It will show all of the games you have in your favorites list, but you can also use the search tool at the bottom of that page.

From there if you create a game you will see much more detail about every setting that you choose.

Bray wrote: ↑08 May 2025, 16:14 Since you're interested in the details, I would strongly suggest you stop using the new game lobby interface.

Instead click on "Play Now" at the top. Make sure the 3 giant menus on that page are set to "Simple Game" - "Turn Based" - "Manual".

Then select a game from the bottom of that page. It will show all of the games you have in your favorites list, but you can also use the search tool at the bottom of that page.

From there if you create a game you will see much more detail about every setting that you choose.

This person knows what's up. See my signature.

Jellby wrote: ↑08 May 2025, 08:07 "2 moves per day" is just a mnemonic. The actual relevant setting appears (at least in the "old" lobby), below the button when you select it: "+12h00 per turn (maximum 36h00)"

I don't see the "actual relevant setting" information, appearing "below the button when you select it." The only line under the button that changes when you slide the button left or right (for a turn-based game) is a field that reads "Game Duration" and then an estimated amount of days the game will last.

I don't know enough about this site, and it's comparison to an "old lobby." Is the "old lobby" still functioning ... and can we somehow select to see and use it?

Los28 wrote: ↑09 May 2025, 05:45

Jellby wrote: ↑08 May 2025, 08:07 "2 moves per day" is just a mnemonic. The actual relevant setting appears (at least in the "old" lobby), below the button when you select it: "+12h00 per turn (maximum 36h00)"

I don't see the "actual relevant setting" information, appearing "below the button when you select it." The only line under the button that changes when you slide the button left or right (for a turn-based game) is a field that reads "Game Duration" and then an estimated amount of days the game will last.

I don't know enough about this site, and it's comparison to an "old lobby." Is the "old lobby" still functioning ... and can we somehow select to see and use it?

The person above my last post told you where to find it and it's literally in my signature.