So awhile ago this was a joke between me and a few of us about having time outs in the game. After this Sunday with all squads having an issue and appeals flying around, I think it is time for it. I propose of having a squad leader/captain being able to call a timeout when something happens that is out of the squads control like auto speccing or subs taking awhile. During ai VS wa, subs were screwed up and taking awhile. Programming wise I cannot pause the timer in the client but we can reset it to where the timeout was called at. I can also make a simple call for the refs to type timeout announcing it and showing the current clock. Once over just type resume game and the clock will reset to the timeout. Input?

How would this affect stats?

I don't think it would. It would give some players some time over the traditional ~30 minute timer. But I don't think any stats work on a per second or per minute basis atm.

Somewhere in the system kpg used to but I think everything is rounded to 1 game even if under 30 now

Gotcha.

I'd be in favor of this assuming we iron out the fine print.

An issue comes up, squads aren't in battle, captain asks for a *timeout, *timeout makes an arena message with the time stamp. Squad fixes their issue. Ref does an *arena game on, *timer back to time stamp from the *timeout.

Would there be restrictions for the *timeout? Only if a player disconnects? How many per game? How long can they last?

Theoretically it shouldn't be reserved for just losing a player if you're going to allow timeouts. Maybe someone has to answer the door for pizza mid playoff game? Time out would be perfect here!

I can see this being abused if it's allowed outside of losing a player though.

It’s all based on if you were in a game now. Play seconds no longer factor into kpg or anything like that. If you were in the game at any point it’s considered “1 game”.

Random AFKs or Headset/Keyboard issues would probably need to be included too imo. But then we get into potential abuse/troll territory like you said.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. When a timeout is called are all the players who are currently in the match expected to just not move? What if one of these unforeseen actions like an auto spec or something happens mid battle or just as they're about to engage in battle? There are just so many factors to take into account and some we just may not even see.

Ya, we'd have to have a very thoroughly written rule if we wanted to move forward with something like this to explain exactly when a timeout can be called and what not.

Could create some problems.

If it's not too much trouble to write the code for it Mizz, maybe go ahead and do it. We can test it this offseason? See how people feel?

Prize everyone amor so they can't move

Like infinite tried to do to me when I caught that law week 1

(also not a fan of this, trying to brainstorm if it's possible)

As much as I'd love to use this for pizza, seems like the best use would be for appeal requests only. Someone having discord or lag issues isn't grounds for an appeal. Shit happens.

Maybe if a squad announces their intention to appeal the match after an issue (autospec for instance), a 5 minute~ timeout is granted to address concerns and potentially reset the battle or something. Of course this will be abused, and we'd likely see appeals based on timeouts being granted.

I like the idea of time outs in matches, but I also see how this can be abused.

--------------------

Firstly, we need to think about the schedule for the day. Currently there is a 15 minute grace period between all matches. Depending on the decided length of the time outs, accommodations must be made in the grace period.
This means matches start sooner or end later.

--------------------

There must be a legitimate reason for the time out, but how do we know when it's not a troll?

--------------------

When can a time out be used? I would assume when there is no engagement or pursuit in process.

--------------------

How many time outs? I think two is good, three is excessive.

--------------------

Chris brought this one up, but what do the players in-game do during the time out?.

I feel this would require each match to have two refs so both squads can be watched during the time outs.

--------------------

There are a shit ton of factors with time outs, but I'd be interested in testing this during the off season.

It could maybe appease some appeals as they happen ideally preventing any appeals in the first place.

But I feel like these were the first two real appeals in a while? Maybe since I've been back in fact? So appeals and appealable situations don't seem to come up that often.

The pause would only be for big issues like bad server lag or ref issues. Player wise I don't think so. Also I can make it stop recording match stats but in game kills/deaths that affect your breakdown I can't without modifying the code which would affect all zones. Jordan's idea would be the best where it keeps the players in place.

We just had an appeal on how the spec out ruined momentum and now we want time outs?

Too easy to abuse imo
Are players left in game while time out? That’s easy spec info especially if the other squad cannot move positions in the time period it takes for the sub to regroup. They know exact positions.

Hey if you maybe have to afk during a match that’s on you to let your squad know and not compromise your team.

Appeals like last weeks don’t happen often, this is an overreaction.

Agreed. If we are going to use timeouts for subs taking too long then that sub that eventually gets in knows exactly where the other squad is.

That already happens. Everyone that gets subbed in will say where the other team is. Usually a leader moves when there is a sub happening and tries to rape.

Right but if you're on a "timeout" I'm assuming you can't move. Under normal circumstances when you see a sub announced by a captain in the captain's chat you can move freely.