I'm curious if anyone else has thought of doing this, and what people's reactions are.

During my last game, I created a simple spreadsheet to collect metadata of each user. I was curious if it would be beneficial towards the end of the game. Turns out I was right!

I created a chart with REAL-WORLD TIMES (My time) in blocks of 30mins. Every time an opponent logged in, I would make a note of the block it fell in.
I wasn't logged in all the time; I just took screenshots whenever I did to collect the data. After 2-3 days I had build up a fairly comprehensive pattern of each user's activity -- enemies and allies.


(Screenshot: User Activity Times. The NSA would be proud.)

Towards the end of the game this data proved invaluable. An ally betrayed me, as I was able to launch a pirate/nav/assassin combo right at the start of their "sleep" or "at work" inactivity period. This, plus some luck, gave me a headstart of hours before they could react.


(Screenshot: Red User Login times)

Obviously it's not a perfect system, as notifications may alert an enemy. And I must stress it was *not* my intention to cheat, but mere curiosity of what the data would look like and whether it would be beneficial.


Perhaps this is what Braxo did to psych RoadKhiel in their awesome exhibition match?

I know for a fact that Braxo keeps track of sleep times for his opponents. I don't think he used that against me, though. Just my natural paranoia and distrust of martyrs.

This is by no means cheating. Only a high involvement level! I don't think I could ever spend that much time logging data for a mobile game .
This is just using your resources to an advantage. What I do is I ask people what time zone they are in, and just use that the estimate scheduled orders. Then (when I get L2) I can put that in the private notes.

If someone asked me what time zone I was in, there's no way I'd give a truthful answer, haha.

Good idea. I know for myself that my on times are vey random. I am on at school as much as possible and am sometimes up late into the night/early morning yet sometimes I'm in bed by 10. Would be interesting to see how this could play out over a large number of games. If the Intel gained was worth the work.

keeping track of other players' sleep patterns always felt a little exploitive and strangely invasive to me, but i'd be lying if i said i havent learned to keep an eye on my enemy's activity patterns, and schedule attacks with that in mind... Obviously not to the extent that the op takes it though. I dont even keep player notes.

I have always kept an eye on people's online times, as you found out it can be very valuable information if trying to pull of a risky move or any other number of situations.

I haven't ever created a spreadsheet to log the data though, I just use the in game notes.

we need to compare notes. because I do the same but I also photoshop a map and have unit placements and etc, i thought I was insane glad to know im not alone

Wellll

I only play two games at once.

Usually check my phone at least once an hour.

And I wake up in the middle of the night for notifications. And check as soon as I wake up.

Also, at work.

yottawatts wrote:Wellll

I only play two games at once.

Usually check my phone at least once an hour.

And I wake up in the middle of the night for notifications. And check as soon as I wake up.

Also, at work.

Maybe you should talk to someone about your addiction.