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Unfair play at the end of arena season
Posted: 14 April 2026, 14:06
by chucrute_98
Some players simply do not play the last move knowing that the game is lost. So they simply let the game die and win because of less playing time. This problem is especially significant when the players live in different time zones.
Re: Unfair play at the end of arena season
Posted: 14 April 2026, 14:59
by chucrute_98
Were can i see my total thinking time in an active game?
Re: Unfair play at the end of arena season
Posted: 14 April 2026, 16:39
by FrankJones
It is impossible to start Arena games within 5 days of season end, but unfortunately, that does not solve this problem from occurring in games that were started before that cutoff.
So, whoever has used the most thinking time loses the arena points? And then the game itself gets converted to friendly mode, or something like that?
Which would mean the player who is losing but avoids finishing the game while still having used less overall thinking time - that player not only gets the arena "win" but also avoids the Elo loss for what would have been a lost game.
Re: Unfair play at the end of arena season
Posted: 14 April 2026, 17:25
by tarongot
chucrute_98 wrote: ↑14 April 2026, 14:06
Some players simply do not play the last move knowing that the game is lost. So they simply let the game die and win because of less playing time. This problem is especially significant when the players live in different time zones.
Just to correct: not WIN, NOT LOSE, that what is gained in situations like that.
I had 2 previous season (not on purpose) and I didn't get any points, I also didn't lose any so I'm guessing my opponents were count as they would lost that games (and that was right since 1 I would win in 100%, and other in 95%).
Re: Unfair play at the end of arena season
Posted: 14 April 2026, 17:35
by FrankJones
So, the player with less thinking time stalls, and the game is not completed by end of arena season. That player neither gains nor loses Arena points, but the opponent loses arena points?
I'm trying to figure out exactly what happens. I would be frustrated if this happened to me.
Re: Unfair play at the end of arena season
Posted: 14 April 2026, 17:45
by chucrute_98
You loose arena points and the other player gets arena points.
Worst situation is when you play 2 games with the same player in parallel and the player only finishes the game he wins and let the other game die even when you already played your last move. At the same time you can observe that the player is still activly playing other games.
Re: Unfair play at the end of arena season
Posted: 14 April 2026, 17:48
by chucrute_98
I would like to know, where one actually can see the individual playing time.
Re: Unfair play at the end of arena season
Posted: 14 April 2026, 18:22
by RazorOz
chucrute_98 wrote: ↑14 April 2026, 17:45
You loose arena points and the other player gets arena points.
Worst situation is when you play 2 games with the same player in parallel and the player only finishes the game he wins and let the other game die even when you already played your last move. At the same time you can observe that the player is still activly playing other games.
No they don't, the player who used the most thinking time loses Arena points, the game is turned to friendly mode and no-ones gains Arena points for the win.
Also not sure how a player could do what you describe, you have to take your Arena turns in order, they cannot be tanking in a game they've lost while playing games they're winning.
Re: Unfair play at the end of arena season
Posted: 14 April 2026, 18:29
by FrankJones
RazorOz wrote: ↑14 April 2026, 18:22
chucrute_98 wrote: ↑14 April 2026, 17:45
You loose arena points and the other player gets arena points.
Worst situation is when you play 2 games with the same player in parallel and the player only finishes the game he wins and let the other game die even when you already played your last move. At the same time you can observe that the player is still activly playing other games.
No they don't, the player who used the most thinking behaviour losing Arena points, the game is turned to friendly and no-ones gains Arena points for the win.
Also not sure how a player could do what you describe, you have to take your Arena turns in order, they cannot be tanking in a game they've lost while playing games they're winning.
True - perhaps the situation is not entirely one that a player can intentionally setup and do, but might be able to do in some circumstances.
Re: Unfair play at the end of arena season
Posted: 14 April 2026, 18:31
by Meeplelowda
From the FAQ:
What happens to ongoing turn-based games when the season ends?
If an Arena table cannot be completed before the end of the season, the player who consumed the most thinking time during the game will lose League Points as if the game ended with that player being considered the absolute loser. All other players will neither lose or win any points, regardless of the current state of the game.
The game will then continue in Friendly ∞ Mode, allowing the participants to continue playing or quit, without incurring penalties.
This rule is in place to prevent dishonest players from stalling a game to avoid losing League Points just before the season concludes, particularly when they anticipate a loss.
To further prevent such scenarios, it is not possible to start new Turn-Based Arena games within 5 days of the season's end.