Should servers be able to choose the time of day?

[soapmak3r 677]

My biggest pet hate in this game is that I can only play in the evenings, which means trying to find a server in the US that won't kick me for having too high a ping.

What ends up happening is that basically everyone in the UK and Europe is trying to play on US servers as soon as it becomes night, and probably vice versa for the people in the US.

There are so many empty servers with low ping and I can basically only play on the ones with a higher ping if I want daylight.

[Dancing.Russian.Man 1631]

But servers -do- choose time of day.

For example; There are German servers that are GMT-8.

[KnT47r 51]

Cool story bro! Have you tried searching for a reverse timezone server?

Edited July 16, 2012 by KnT47r

[Hendrix27 54]

No, then chances are the vast majority of servers are going to select day and certain pieces of gear are going to become useless (NVG, flares, flash lights, etc.) and its going to take away from realism.

[soapmak3r 677]

But servers -do- choose time of day.

For example; There are German servers that are GMT-8.

Yeah, I've noticed that...Like one or two. I wasn't sure what the deal is with that though.

No, then chances are the vast majority of servers are going to select day and certain pieces of gear are going to become useless (NVG, flares, flash lights, etc.) and its going to take away from realism.

How would it? People would be free to host and play on night servers if they wanted to. The only drawback would be that people playing in the evening/night would have better pings...So no drawback at all.

If I was going to rent a server, it would be a US server...because I only play in the evenings...That's backward assed thinking.

Edited July 16, 2012 by soapmak3r

[thorgold 91]

If I was going to rent a server, it would be a US server...because I only play in the evenings...That's backward assed thinking.

You're missing the point. A server's day/night cycle is based on the time it sets for itself, not the actual location. Yes, most servers use local time, but you can see in the tags if they have modified times (such as US###[1.7.2.3][GMT+7][Veteran]).

There are reverse time servers in Europe, just look. Try filtering for "GMT" in the game browser. Alternatively, Dayz Commander can track the time on most servers and only display servers that are currently in certain time periods.

So basically, this suggestion is moot and born of lack of knowledge of how the servers work (and that's not meant insultingly, mind you). Servers do have the option to set what time they run - it's just that servers aren't allowed to change that time in order to stay "permaday," as it messes with the Hive's authentication systems (Rocket commented on it to that effect).

Edited July 16, 2012 by thorgold

[L0G!N (DayZ) 149]

I think if you get DayZcommander you can actually specify what time you want on the server, so it should be a great way to find the game you like!

[Zera_Grey 28]

just learn to play at night there are people who actually like playing at night. I know it is hard to believe but its true I don't want to have to use a server in another country because all the server owners are scared of the dark in my country.

[soapmak3r 677]

just learn to play at night there are people who actually like playing at night. I know it is hard to believe but its true I don't want to have to use a server in another country because all the server owners are scared of the dark in my country.

Yeah, I guess people are just cueing up for all those empty low latency night servers...

[Zera_Grey 28]

not my fault the majority of players are unable to adapt to using those servers. at this point the devs might as well get rid of night entirely and write the code to have perma day because by your logic every single player is playing only day time servers.

I never said it was a great majority of people but their still are people playing. smart people actually, because then they don't have to worry about being shot in the face by a sniper for no reason after spawning on most occasions. they don't have to fight for loot against bandits as much. really playing at night would be better for newbs to get started or for people who want to play with out being killed for no reason over and over.

just solved the problem for those who want to avoid being pked as much, take to the night servers you can actually live longer then 30 minutes. with less death because most players just are to scared to play in the dark.

Edited July 16, 2012 by Zera_Grey

[KnT47r 51]

...playing at night would be better for ... playing with out being killed for no reason.

NVG sniper says hi

Edited July 16, 2012 by KnT47r

[Zera_Grey 28]

NVG sniper says hi

yea but at least you have the balls to play during the night, rather be killed by you then being killed in a day server by a bunch of cowards who can't stand the dark.

Edited July 16, 2012 by Zera_Grey

[soapmak3r 677]

So basically, this suggestion is moot and born of lack of knowledge of how the servers work (and that's not meant insultingly, mind you). Servers do have the option to set what time they run - it's just that servers aren't allowed to change that time in order to stay "permaday," as it messes with the Hive's authentication systems (Rocket commented on it to that effect).

If server owners can choose the time of day, then server owners/admins need to sort their sh*t out, because the vast majority of the servers based in the UK/Europe are set to be night time and are empty when they could, and should be full.

Server admins in general need to sort their sh*t out. There are so many servers running so many different versions of the game and different ArmA2 beta patches that it is making finding a working server with a decent ping an absolute clusterf**k.

yea but at least you have the balls to play during the night, rather be killed by you then being killed in a day server by a bunch of cowards who can't stand the dark.

It's got f**k all to do with being a coward, it has everything to do with zero visibility unless you have NVG. If you have them, then I'm sure night servers are a lot of fun and as they are empty, I am sure looting is pretty much risk free and easy.

You could reasonably argue that the people with NVG, playing on empty night servers are the cowards because they don't want the competition of other players. ;)

Edited July 16, 2012 by soapmak3r

[KnT47r 51]

lol, rent your own server and run it how you want then

[soapmak3r 677]

My point is that it is a waste of perfectly good, low latency servers. There are plenty of servers, most are just going to waste in the evenings though.

Edited July 16, 2012 by soapmak3r

[zipper 69]

Not sure why you think the server owners need to sort out anything. You need to take the time to find the server or servers you want to play on. They aren't adjusting their server for you, they are ddoing it for the whole community.

Most of the servers in your area are going to be low pop at night time. And during the day, they will be full. That's just the way it works. There are still servers that switch their timezones to cater more to people like you. You just have to take the time to find them.

[Kingyo 2]

You're missing the point. A server's day/night cycle is based on the time it sets for itself, not the actual location. Yes, most servers use local time, but you can see in the tags if they have modified times (such as US###[1.7.2.3][GMT+7][Veteran]).

There are reverse time servers in Europe, just look. Try filtering for "GMT" in the game browser. Alternatively, Dayz Commander can track the time on most servers and only display servers that are currently in certain time periods.

So basically, this suggestion is moot and born of lack of knowledge of how the servers work (and that's not meant insultingly, mind you). Servers do have the option to set what time they run - it's just that servers aren't allowed to change that time in order to stay "permaday," as it messes with the Hive's authentication systems (Rocket commented on it to that effect).

Thanks, and knowing is half the battle!

[thatcommiekid 57]

No, then chances are the vast majority of servers are going to select day and certain pieces of gear are going to become useless (NVG, flares, flash lights, etc.) and its going to take away from realism.

Exactally!