Horn Button

Can we get a horn button next to everybody's name so that if they go awol for like 2 minutes we can get their attention, or something along those lines? I'm asking for me really because I go awol a lot and I need shouting at.

Lots of things like audible warnings have been discussed and beside automated beeps or horns being a bit cheesy and annoying, manual ones can be abused.

There is already an audible click within the game which sounds every time any players turn starts and one that sounds a countdown when you only have 10 seconds of your turn remaining.

Yes I thought about that abuse side. Dunno if there could be a way around that. The end of turn timer is a good thing but sometimes its apparent that the player isn't at the screen (or is running down the timer on their 5 cards ) and it would be nice to find a way to be able to alert them quite loudly that their turn began already - maybe after a minute - which is why I'm thinking horns. I guess it would have to be programmed so that it would only be usable when the person is not at the screen. Maybe it could be programmed in so that maybe after a minute if you haven't sent a message that you are on the screen (by clicking the screen or moving the mouse on that tab) a new warning sound comes up a little bit louder than just the clicky sound? It helps gameplay in general because everybody is waiting for no reason if the person isn't aware that its their turn.

Instead we plan to implement the policy of missing a turn after 2 minutes has gone by without them clicking "begin turn" whether it be 3, 5 or 7 minute turns. I'll probably get that done by the end of May.

I really like that idea, Vexer. It would help speed things up for games with quitters or abusers of the time limit. I have no problem with people taking time to figure out what they want to do but at least starting the turn shows that they are actually there.

Yes very good idea. Good comments too Elysium

I like that idea

Wait a second. You mean that unless someone clicks "Begin Turn" in the first 2 mins of their time, they will miss that turn???

If this is, in fact, what you intend, can it be a game setting and NOT a mandatory default?

It will be mandatory. Why wouldn't it be?

There should be nothing wrong with this being mandatory, SpamFree. It does not shorten the turn in any way and only speeds things up in regards to quitters. You have the full allotted time to take your turn, you just need to start it in the first two minutes. If you are playing a game and actually paying attention, this should not be a problem. If you are doing a bunch of other things and not paying any attention to the game you joined then it might be a problem...for the people who have to wait for someone who joined a game while doing a bunch of other things and not really engaged in the game while making other players wait, that is

Thanks for the info.

Every time I come to the forums, it only makes me wish I hadn't

It seems ignorance is bliss, for a time, then something new and horrible happens anyway.

Don't post if you aren't going to explain yourself or argue a position. We can't think of a single reason why this wouldn't be mandatory. It seems you can and yet you don't share that reason with us. Don't just say I dissent but not say why. Quit wasting our time. If you are not going to properly contribute to the site, you should leave.

After some discussion with a player there are some point to be consider before making the changes.

I understand SpamFree concern if making this change mandatory, what if a premium player playing 2 games at once and didn't come back to one of it in 2 minutes?
Sometime you just need to be away and really need that 3 or 5 minutes to hold the game for you so that you can come back in time. I once lost internet connection and got back to 2 minutes left on the clock in a 5 minute turn after missed a turn earlier. So, if you are not a quitter and suffered connection problem that time is someone you hope for to keep you from turning grey in a game.

My point is that, there is a pattern we can see from those players that will quit the game in early stage, they all have ridiculously low attendance rate.

I have no problem to wait a whole 3 minute for a player that need to leave for a short time and come back later, given that said player let everyone knows about it in the chat.

But it really annoys me if someone makes me wait because they are going to leave the game for good without letting others know.

Why not make it as a form of punishment for those player with low attendance rate (like <80) so other players will not be affected from it as much? ( In case you really need to go and can't come back within the time. ) As your attendance drops you have less time to press start turn, else you will miss the turn. This will only target those that have a reputation for leaving the game, and they really deserved to receive some form of punishment.

Will this be a better idea? So you can punish those quitters without altering much of the current state of the game. Since all we want now is to spend less time waiting if someone decided leave the game without notice.

WE NEED A "YOUR TURN" ALERT THAT SOUNDS DIFFERENT FROM THE REGULAR "SOMEBODY'S TURN" ALERT.