Request Consideration for FSO Time Change

[Animl-AW]

This is not a complaint. It's just a request to consider FSO time format.
I know a lot of work and planning goes into this and we all thank you for your time and efforts. I also know adjusting times has limits too.

However, if it's possible to get just one tweak it could make a difference for some.

The current time format seems to be a problem for some, including myself.
Start time
11pm East Coast, 10pm Central, 9pm West Coast.

Personally, at 10pm CT, the last thing I want to do at is start a 2 hour journey. But that's just me. So far my chances of showing up has been 0 for 3 yrs, even tho I'm now retired, my eyes just close at 10-10:30.
It's even harder for East Coast players.

Not everyone is off work on Sat, some have family to tend to before bed time, and for some it's just too late to start something, also consider that nightly the MA starts emptying at 9pm CT. Remember some of us are as old as dirt.
I think it affects the numbers in FSO, and is unfortunate to those who would attend a earlier time.

I myself would love to make it. I fly with the LCA sqd.. if it affects me, you can bet it affects at least 10-20 others too.

I've talked to others and it was unanimous with those I talked with that earlier would be better.

If you guys could please consider a time adjustment on the next FSO to say 9pm CT (1 hr earlier) that could have a positive effect on players who want to join in, like myself. Even still, that places it at 10pm ET. But I think more could roll with that.

Side note;
>IMO< I think it could be a good thing that events could come up with a standard events time for all events. Example: everyone knows any event starts at say 9pm (or even earlier).  That's a different subject, I'm just seeking consideration for future FSOs.

Thanks from many in advance.
 

[Stampf]

Plus 1 from an old man on the east coast!

[Molsman]

We have tried this in the past but could never come up with a good plan to make it Happen... With the Age of Players now as Old or Older as the Game now we always had to Cater to the West Coast of the states,,, that's what I was always told back in the day,,,, So Maybe a new Poll to See what times zones play those most we already Know the Land down Under Players are her not matter what , but what about the Euro Player's thoughts. who knows if we could change the time Maybe just Maybe FSO would get higher numbers

Just my Dream
Mols

[Frodo]

Would love to see it moved an hour earlier. Going from mountain time to central to now eastern, I have a tough time making them when I have something to do on Sat. Especially now that it is 2 hours long. 

[RedBeard]

The current time format seems to be a problem for some, including myself.
Start time
11pm East Coast, 10pm Central, 9pm West Coast.

FYI. There are four time zones, not including Hawaii, so west coast is actually 8 pm and Mountain is 9 pm.

[Dadtallica]

Move it to Saturday?

[Softail]

I don't remember "this being tried in the past" and I've been here a couple of decades When was this?  How long was it "tried?"  Bottom line,  its just getting "not worth it" to stay up to 1AM on the East Coast to play the scenarios.  The "Oh my, we must cater to the west coast" BS has gotta stop."  This isn't the NFL, no revenue will be "lost" because its someones dinner time when FSO starts.  Our money has already been collected.   Who is going to say "I refuse to fly FSO before 8pm?!?!?   No survey needed, just move it back 2 hours so we all can get a full nights rest.

Softy.

[Shrike]

It's bedtime for old man east coasters and dinner time for old man west coasters.  Sound like a bunch of old man problems .  Would it be worth getting each squad to report location for those who participated in 2025 and determine highest location of participation rather than guessing?

[Shrike]

Moving back an hour might boost hour 2 participation as old guys from the east coast can keep their eyes open and old guys from the west coast are full of energy after eating dinner.

[Animl-AW]

The problem I hear from the anti-events tribe is, too early and they empty the MA. Why I didn’t mention too much overlap into MA Prime Time hrs.

8p-9p CT seems like a good window.
The other, probably less popular, option is early evening.

I agree it leans too far towards appeasing west coast.

Unless there are bribes, then I want a share

Edit: Not to mix Mountain time with West coast time

West Coast (Pacific) Time is always one hour behind Mountain time. Not to mention other countries.

It can get complicated

[Frodo]

Need to check with Dantoo and our Australian friends, to see how it would affect them. 

[Spikes]

I don't remember "this being tried in the past" and I've been here a couple of decades When was this?  How long was it "tried?"

I don't believe it was ever tried. It was certainly discussed internally multiple times and probably a couple surveys, but at the end of the day I don't believe there was an overwhelming sentiment to make the change.

This isn't the NFL, no revenue will be "lost" because its someones dinner time when FSO starts.  Our money has already been collected.

I personally don't care about revenue, but I do care about potential players. If we move it up an hour we could add 5 East Coast players but we lose 10 West Coast players. I'm no math wiz but I think that's a net negative. That is of course hypothetical. There's a chance it could be a net positive, too.

[Animl-AW]

I don’t think the subject can be compared to any other situation outside the game itself. It can’t be put on a comparison chart. Its very individual and specific to AH. We should stay focused on whats best for FSO and even scenarios, the prizes of AH.

That can be done by viewing the pros and cons and possibly find that honey spot.

IMO, adjust more than 1 hr can cause havoc. Baby steps. Some may get upset and “boycott” the event because they didn’t get their way. MA Dar is a good example.

I think dinner time is family time. Don’t give an ultimatum over family.

Lets look at typical dinner time, which I think is between 4p-6p.
Personally 7p CT is my chosen logon time.

Take note it’s not just too late for ET, but also CT.
9p CT is 7p in Pacific Time. This is a 1hr buffer after dinner. For PT families it is still in the acceptable range. I haven’t heard anything negative from PT players to a change, yet.

This puts start time at 10p East Coast. While it helps some in ET a little, it harms the PT players less.

Lets also consider some CMs may need to be in an hour early to set up the arena, we don’t want to discourage them either.

I don’t see an accurate way to hold a poll, since not all read the bbs.

I think it comes down to is there a willingness to give it one try and emphasize the change in announcement and see if there are any negative effects.

Moving it more than one hr requires more thought.

Obviously, my vote is to TRY 1 hr earlier. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I wouldn’t be upset if they pass on it. I just look for small tweaks that COULD produce results. Again, baby steps.

[Shrike]

Need to check with Dantoo and our Australian friends, to see how it would affect them. 

Yes, 9GIAP consistently shows up week after week.

[Frodo]

Yes, 9GIAP consistently shows up week after week.

Yes they are a big part of FSO and certainly wouldn't want to lose them.

We also have a guy who is even further East and it is midnight start for him. Not sure that we have many in that timezone though.