Make phases only resolve during specific times

[tttppp]

This came up in the forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/diplicity-talk/X4OMTWD1a1Y

It would be good to allow specifying a start time and the game will only start if there are the right number of players at that time of day.

This sounds relatively involved to implement - it needs changes to diplicity and the clients. It has potential confusion around timezones. It needs the server to run a job at a particular time of day (although this must already be happening with the end-of-phase handling code).

[zond]

It could also be implemented as a "only ever create new phases between hour a and b", which would allow players in the same tz to play fast games without having to stay awake. And starting the game of course involves creating a phase, so it would also limit the times a game can start.

[zond]

Staying awake at_night, of course.

[tttppp]

That's a really great suggestion. There would be some strange edge cases around daylight savings, but it would be much better than not having the option.

I suggest that the phase clock only ticks during the specified hours, but orders and communication can happen outside this time.

[zond]

Or the phase clock only rings during those hours at least.

[tttppp]

I think you want ticks, because otherwise potentially someone goes to bed as one phase ends and when they get up the next one immediately ends.

[zond]

You might be right. All conceptual problems arise when the phase length isn't significantly shorter than the "asleep hours".

[zond]

Or "awake hours", maybe both?