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Time Zones and Time Outs
Posted: 17 February 2026, 21:55
by MagmaTygr
I've been playing BGA for over a year now, and I've only recently started Tournaments. I don't know what is different with those, but I've been busting my time frequently with those. I can only assume that it is because those I'm in a tournament with are around the world from me. (I typically game with a community, so I believe we are always in the same hemisphere). So, it appears my turn comes sometime after I go to sleep. That means it takes 8 hours for me to get to my turn.
I check BGA when I get up, multiple times during the day, and right before I go to bed. I am extremely active on BGA, I shouldn't be penalized because my time just happens to come up during a normal sleep cycle.
Potential Solutions:
- Either separate tournaments by hemisphere. Bleh, I don't like this solution
- Give a discount on time spent if the person ahead of you are in a different time zone. This sounds like a programming nightmare.
- Give a "sleep window" that you can set in your profile. Then perhaps your time during those hours do not count; or only count at half or quarter time.
I understand WHY we have time limits. These are necessary and a good thing. However, those that are being active should not be penalized because they sleep.
Re: Time Zones and Time Outs
Posted: 17 February 2026, 22:43
by Günther-Tralala
There is a setting to limit play hours to a specific time for tournaments as well as normal games. You can check them before registering to a tournament of if you can't find any, create a tournament with suitable play hours for your needs.
Re: Time Zones and Time Outs
Posted: 17 February 2026, 22:46
by SiRan90
MagmaTygr wrote: ↑17 February 2026, 21:55
I've been playing BGA for over a year now, and I've only recently started Tournaments. I don't know what is different with those, but I've been busting my time frequently with those. I can only assume that it is because those I'm in a tournament with are around the world from me. (I typically game with a community, so I believe we are always in the same hemisphere). So, it appears my turn comes sometime after I go to sleep. That means it takes 8 hours for me to get to my turn.
I check BGA when I get up, multiple times during the day, and right before I go to bed. I am extremely active on BGA, I shouldn't be penalized because my time just happens to come up during a normal sleep cycle.
Potential Solutions:
- Either separate tournaments by hemisphere. Bleh, I don't like this solution
- Give a discount on time spent if the person ahead of you are in a different time zone. This sounds like a programming nightmare.
- Give a "sleep window" that you can set in your profile. Then perhaps your time during those hours do not count; or only count at half or quarter time.
I understand WHY we have time limits. These are necessary and a good thing. However, those that are being active should not be penalized because they sleep.
Tournaments work differently in that you have a set amount of time and isn't replensihed each turn like normal mode.
As for your solutions, you can always just join torunaments that suit your availability to play. You may feel like its harsh for getting a punishment for sleeping, but you are still holding up the game for which other people have signed up to.
Re: Time Zones and Time Outs
Posted: 17 February 2026, 22:58
by Arjuna92
If you want to play tournaments, watch out the time set by the organiser is not too short. Not only for your own sake: If you play multiplayer tournaments, then if anybody else is kicked, the standings are determined by how old your BGA account is. So as a relative newbie you might be eliminated based on that. I played in a tournament once. I made it to the final due partly to having an old account. I found that ridiculous. Seriously put me off of playing tournaments on BGA.
Re: Time Zones and Time Outs
Posted: 17 February 2026, 23:45
by Meeplelowda
Arjuna92 wrote: ↑17 February 2026, 22:58
Seriously put me off of playing tournaments on BGA.
It's a reason not to play 3+ player tournaments. It happened to me once, I think I haven't played another since then. For 2-player games, it's not an issue.
Re: Time Zones and Time Outs
Posted: 18 February 2026, 00:11
by Arjuna92
Meeplelowda wrote: ↑17 February 2026, 23:45
Arjuna92 wrote: ↑17 February 2026, 22:58
Seriously put me off of playing tournaments on BGA.
It's a reason not to play 3+ player tournaments. It happened to me once, I think I haven't played another since then. For 2-player games, it's not an issue.
Yes, if I ever play one again it will be a 2p tourney with significantly longer time allowances. 30 hours per player just isn't enough for a (4p) Pax Pamir game. But the way that experience stressed me I just feel like I'm happier playing normal games.