Times for Major RPTs and timezones

[Iiyola]

I understand that not everyone can play when big RPT's are planned.

But in the case of the big RPT planned by staff next week (you know, the one in Luir's)... its taking place at 9 pm ST, which is exactly the time that only serves North American timezones.

Had it been planned either at 6 PM or 12 am, it wouldn't have inconvenienced a lot of North American players, AND players of other timezones would've been able to attend as well.

@staff can you please keep non American players in mind for such big events?

[Halaster]

We do try to include as many people as we can, but sometimes that might be the only time the staffer running the event has available.

[Iiyola]

It can't be done another day then? A bulk of players have to suffer because of unavailability of staff's other play times?

I get it when its a minor RPT, but this one in question involves about all of the Known, almost...

[Haldol]

This is largely because of logistics.  6 pm EST is 4 pm for me, so I'd still be at work. 12 am was too late for some of the east coast staffers. I wanted a weekend so if it ran late players could sleep late the next day. The chosen weekend was needed to meet staff/player schedules. It's hard to find a time/date that works well for everyone. I know that doesn't really help, but might explain the situation.

[Iiyola]

It's the usual explanation for this kind of thing: sorry, you're not American and don't fit in my schedule. Too bad.

But given the fact that this is a Zalanthas wide rpt, or rather, can attract all kinds of denizens, couldn't staff consider to push it maybe back a week, ensuring more staff availability? It's a BIG deal for a lot of people.

[Oleupata]

Believe it or not, this is primarily player-run, and the timing was chosen as that which the player(s) in charge could make as well as staff.

[Hestia]

It doesn't matter which day you schedule it. I can't play at 6am or midnight. If I'm needed to facilitate an event, or assist, or animate, then it needs to occur within the 12-hour period of time I'm available. That's pretty flexible. Most people aren't available 12 hours a day, every day, to schedule an event. I'm happy to work my off-line schedule to accommodate yours. As long as it's between 10am and 10pm. My time. And - technically - all but 2 of those 12 hours are off-peak. They might not be the off-peak you want, but they are absolutely off-peak.

[wizturbo]

It's the usual explanation for this kind of thing: sorry, you're not American and don't fit in my schedule. Too bad.

You're being kinda harsh here.  I understand that you're bummed at the schedule, and I think your post is totally a valid one to raise, but the wording here is a bit more pointed than it needs to be imo.   No offense intended!

[BadSkeelz]

It's the usual explanation for this kind of thing: sorry, you're not American and don't fit in my schedule. Too bad.

But given the fact that this is a Zalanthas wide rpt, or rather, can attract all kinds of denizens, couldn't staff consider to push it maybe back a week, ensuring more staff availability? It's a BIG deal for a lot of people.

Pushing it back a week drops it on Thanksgiving weekend for Americans, which is probably even more onerous for scheduling.

HRPTs are a mixed bag anyway, don't sweat if you miss them. There'll be plenty of fallout to deal with afterward.

[Bebop]

It's the usual explanation for this kind of thing: sorry, you're not American and don't fit in my schedule. Too bad.

But given the fact that this is a Zalanthas wide rpt, or rather, can attract all kinds of denizens, couldn't staff consider to push it maybe back a week, ensuring more staff availability? It's a BIG deal for a lot of people.

What time frame would allow for off peak and on peak to overlap?

[Inks]

Most of the time staff works out the time with Leader PCs, giving onpeak and offpeak times available. Want to change RPT time? Be the leader PC.

I'm Australian, so have missed a lot, but I've also made the time to be at a lot and seen plenty of offpeak ones. There will always be another RPT.

[Iiyola]

You're being kinda harsh here.  I understand that you're bummed at the schedule, and I think your post is totally a valid one to raise, but the wording here is a bit more pointed than it needs to be imo.   No offense intended!

If it came off as offensive, that was not intended. Now that I reread it, I can see how the "tone" of the words can come across as such. But there is obvious frustration.

As for pushing it back a week, with American Thanksgiving, the point stands. American's can't make it, which is understandable, so people take that in consideration. In the same vein I personally would like to see the same consideration for off-peakers.

RPT's always happen and you can never satisfy everyone, again I completely understand. But this one in question is quite large and it involves off-peak people that could play a big role in it (that doesn't include myself, even though I am off-peak).

As for the question when an RPT would be convenient for the majority of time zones? Do it in a weekend, either 6 PM ST or 12 AM ST. But 9 PM is smack dab in the middle of the night in Europe.

Or do an alternative one in addition to the initial one? I've seen it arranged before and it was certainly doable.

[Night Queen]

That's a good idea, worked well with the ocotillo festivals I think - both events that are early and late, because they suit different countries better - sure, if organisers+staff can only make one time, that's understandable, but having an "unofficial" earlier time added on that people who can't make the late night time can rally around, hurts no one and means you get 2 RPTs for the effort of 1!

I try avoid using terms like server time, peak, and offpeak, because they kinda tend to encourage people to think of that as the standard, to the point that sometimes people (adult people!!!) don't know how to convert timezones (and so understand where people are coming from a little better), because they've never had a reason to learn Putting the times in as EST (USA) as well as CEST (W Europe) etc I think is a quick and easy way to make it feel less unwelcoming to global players, as well as new or prospective browsing players who don't know what a "ST" is (or a "rpt" which is another thing taken for granted but is just weird random jargon, when not explained anywhere to new players)

Maybe a little post template could be something like this (picking mostly English speaking areas, but with a good range since people are mostly familiar with the rough differences of timezones closer to them):

This is sort of similar to how commercial games tend to try accommodate people from different timezones with their servers etc (and by popularity, they must be doing something right, it's obviously been agreed somewhere "this makes games more successful"):

[HEAVILY recommended playing time (plot event - Luir's Outpost)]
2022-11-19 02:00:00Z (UTC)

US West PST (UTC-8)/PDT(UTC-7)	6pm Friday
US East EST (UTC-5)/EDT (UTC-4)	9pm Friday
UK GMT (UTC±0)/BST (UTC+1)	2am Saturday (Friday night)
Europe West CET (UTC+1)/CEST (UTC+2)	3am Saturday (Friday night)
Australia East AEST (UTC+10)/AEDT (UTC+11)	12pm Saturday

Unofficial secondary time:
2022-11-18 18:00:00Z (UTC)

US West PST (UTC-8)/PDT(UTC-7)	10am Friday
US East EST (UTC-5)/EDT (UTC-4)	1pm Friday
UK GMT (UTC±0)/BST (UTC+1)	6pm Friday
Europe West CET (UTC+1)/CEST (UTC+2)	7pm Friday
Australia East AEST (UTC+10)/AEDT (UTC+11)	5am Saturday

[Brokkr]

A bulk of players have to suffer because of unavailability of staff's other play times?

A bulk of players appear to be American, based on the most populous time of day.  So having it in a timezone when Americans are available is making sure that a bulk of players do not suffer.

Outside of the Americas time zones, I couldn't say if we have more players in Europe or Asia.  You apparently want to orient to Europe.  Inks is apparently Australian.  It is impossible to not inconvenience at least one time zone with an American, European and Australian. As someone with calls with either Europe or Asia nearly every workday, I am well aware of this.

So, what you appear to be asking, perhaps without realizing, is for us to prioritize Europe over Asia.  While we don't actually prioritize that way, as whatever time we pick will typically be ok for at least 2/3.  So instead we prioritize by when those directly involved, needed PCs (not necessarily even leaders) and Staff are available.

[Iiyola]

A bulk of players have to suffer because of unavailability of staff's other play times?

A bulk of players appear to be American, based on the most populous time of day.  So having it in a timezone when Americans are available is making sure that a bulk of players do not suffer.

I'm not talking about the majority, but a bunch/bulk/load/certain amount of players outside of the Americas. I'm also talking about an adjustment of only 3 hours, which isn't groundbreaking, especially not when it takes place in the weekend.

Outside of the Americas time zones, I couldn't say if we have more players in Europe or Asia.  You apparently want to orient to Europe.

Mostly, because I am European. However. Lets say 6 pm ST (which is EST, is 12 am CET and 10 am Sydney time. Of course, not ideal, but it COULD potentially be a timeframe where multiple time zones can (partially) participate.

So, what you appear to be asking, perhaps without realizing, is for us to prioritize Europe over Asia.  While we don't actually prioritize that way, as whatever time we pick will typically be ok for at least 2/3.  So instead we prioritize by when those directly involved, needed PCs (not necessarily even leaders) and Staff are available.

I've already made a couple of suggestions that would apply to multiple time zones.

[Night Queen]

do my idea that I totally did not steal

[Tuannon]

If it's an Atrium lecture, just find out what the best time for the Atrium people who matter (the commoners).

Work on desired audience time.

[whengravityfails]

This doesn't affect me personally - although at one time it did when I lived overseas. It's frustrating to miss out on all the neat things simply because of time zones. I would think there'd be some way to accommodate those who can't make the more standard times. I understand wanting to get the most people in (or in the obvious case of the necessary people being there), but perhaps
there could also be a secondary event that doesn't require all of the same people or staff in order to make it more Euro friendly if the event in question can't be put in a time slot that would accommodate all of the necessary actors, so to speak.

[Nao]

It REALLY helps to put these on a weekend, like the current HRPT. If I don't have to work the next day, I can stay up late, while the 9PM monday RPTs that have been popular recently are impossible to attend at all.  This applies does not only apply to middle-of-the-night time zones,  but also to those where 9PM is during the day, where those players are literally working at 9PM server on weekdays.

I'm not sure if 9PM on a Monday works for anyone outside of the  Americas, really.

[LindseyBalboa]

I used to miss tons of plots because I worked weekend nights. It's not unfair to hospitality workers it's just when the majority of people and staff can manage to get together.

Besides, the main factor in a staff member running a plot they're involved in is going to have to always be, in the end, when that staff member can run the plot.

Hopefully there'll be stuff you can jump into more easily as a byproduct of your suggestion. I feel like it'd be potentially useful to know staff timezones or have generic public info like "this clan is currently more euro times and so is their staff" to help promote more off peak activity.

[Halaster]

I hope on the next staffing call we get some more non-US timezone folks apply!  We have a couple on staff, but not many.  That would certainly help.

[zealus]

If you want more off peak rpts. Organise them. Might sound harsh. But organising an rpt is like herding cats. You can not please everyone.

[Iiyola]

If you want more off peak rpts. Organise them. Might sound harsh. But organising an rpt is like herding cats. You can not please everyone.

The RPT in question isn't really one that can be organized at random by a volunteer.

Additionally, as much as I love to organize RPT's (and I have done so in the past), my current situation doesn't allow for much time to play, let alone take a leadership role and/or organizing RPT's. If I had the time, I'd even apply for staff, but being a responsible adult with a FT job and fam to take care of... it just won't happen

[Riev]

Moving to a new spot in the world isn't really someone else's responsibility to make sure you're included. It sucks, but not every RPT is designed for American East Coast Peak time. I've seen quite a few events run during my work day, and its had some staffers able to come and assist for those.

Its not about being harsh, its that there is some sort of implication here that one group is being given favortism for living in the timezone that is most common amongst players needed for the event.

Why would I set up an RPT to benefit people in Greenwich Mean Time if all the people I need to be there are on West Coast US?

[Iiyola]

We're going in circles here...

I already explained that we're talking about a change of 3 hours, which isn't terribly impactful on the North American side, especially not when its in the weekend.

[Barsook]

3 PM PST. People are still at work over at that time zone.

[Night Queen]

a good idea, worked well with the ocotillo festivals I think - both [TWO!] events that are early and late, because they suit different countries better - sure, if organisers+staff can only make one time, that's understandable, but having an "unofficial" earlier time added on that people who can't make the late night time can rally around, hurts no one and means you get 2 RPTs for the effort of 1!
..
Maybe a little post template could be something like this .. similar to how commercial games tend to try accommodate people from different timezones with their servers etc (and by popularity, they must be doing something right, it's obviously been agreed somewhere "this makes games more successful"):

[HEAVILY recommended playing time (plot event - Luir's Outpost)]
2022-11-19 02:00:00Z (UTC)

US West PST (UTC-8)/PDT(UTC-7)	6pm Friday
US East EST (UTC-5)/EDT (UTC-4)	9pm Friday
UK GMT (UTC±0)/BST (UTC+1)	2am Saturday (Friday night)
Europe West CET (UTC+1)/CEST (UTC+2)	3am Saturday (Friday night)
Australia East AEST (UTC+10)/AEDT (UTC+11)	12pm Saturday

Unofficial secondary time:
2022-11-18 18:00:00Z (UTC)

US West PST (UTC-8)/PDT(UTC-7)	10am Friday
US East EST (UTC-5)/EDT (UTC-4)	1pm Friday
UK GMT (UTC±0)/BST (UTC+1)	6pm Friday
Europe West CET (UTC+1)/CEST (UTC+2)	7pm Friday
Australia East AEST (UTC+10)/AEDT (UTC+11)	5am Saturday

[Night Queen]

I didn't even suggest changing the time, this is one of the most frustrating things that I feel with reports sometimes what you say is obviously skimmed over or half-read or ignored, because the replies that come back don't make sense

I just said a secondary time listed could help people who can't make the first time have an option to help them gather (to be done for both sides of the world

[Iiyola]

Yeah. You can lock this thread. I give up.

[Riev]

I didn't even suggest changing the time, this is one of the most frustrating things that I feel with reports sometimes what you say is obviously skimmed over or half-read or ignored, because the replies that come back don't make sense

I just said a secondary time listed could help people who can't make the first time have an option to help them gather (to be done for both sides of the world

The suggestion sounds like "Have two RPTs, at different times, so everyone can join". I don't think that is going to work out, because the point of an RPT is "This is a time where something important may happen."

You can't overthrow Luir's twice in one day!

[Night Queen]

• If there's an event happening, it's nearly always obvious, no matter what that, that a big chunk of people will miss out, whatever you do.

•  You can't have the same plot twice, but you can have an unofficial secondary time so the others who can't make it can still log on, so there's something to aim for (helpful if people can't idle for hours hoping to meet people randomly on the day). Then you have two peaks This is just basic stuff. Put people together, stuff happens. If something big is happening after/before, even more likely there'll be interesting stuff going on.

[Riev]

I WILL admit, of the RPTs I've gone to .... "Starts at 9pm" is a laugh, it doesn't even BEGIN until 10pm, and "the thing" doesn't happen until 10:30 or so.

The IDEAL is that "Show up at 9pm, and things will be underway by 9:15pm".

But it depends on the event. Players coming together for a festival? There's usually a couple times posted.
Staff sponsoring something like a major Luir's RPT where "something big" might happen? No. You don't get a secondary time.

[Tranquil]

But it depends on the event. Players coming together for a festival? There's usually a couple times posted.
Staff sponsoring something like a major Luir's RPT where "something big" might happen? No. You don't get a secondary time.

^

[Night Queen]

People that are not around for the whatever time zone already log on around them for RP, it'd just give something for them to aim at instead of
person logs on, looks around clan area
walks around a bit
logs out
2nd person logs on
walks around a bit, finds no one is there
Even if miss "the big plot point", there's plenty of other stuff that can happen when players are gathered around the time when something is going to happen, before or after.

They will already be on to try get involved in leadup stuff anyway, giving an unofficial secondary RP time just makes sense so that people don't have to wait around hours to meet the people that keep logging on and off. This is just really basic stuff to make something busier - it's to not leave those people wandering around hoping to see someone, and instead give them an opportunity.

[creeper386]

My guess would be like:

Halaster's Big HRPT, 6PM ST.

Corpse Clean up, 10PM ST.

So there is something maybe related to the RPT, but maybe there isn't a lot of necessary involvement from organizers or staff. BUUT also, maybe that can be organized by players already.

Friday, 9PM ST, some big event.

Saturday 12PM ST, you have a player suggested time, that we get together and see what the fallout is from that event. You go to Luir's, talk about what happened. Stab any corpses still crawling around. Loot the bodies. Whatever.

[Riev]

People that are not around for the whatever time zone already log on around them for RP, it'd just give something for them to aim at instead of
person logs on, looks around clan area
walks around a bit
logs out
2nd person logs on
walks around a bit, finds no one is there
Even if miss "the big plot point", there's plenty of other stuff that can happen when players are gathered around the time when something is going to happen, before or after.

They will already be on to try get involved in leadup stuff anyway, giving an unofficial secondary RP time just makes sense so that people don't have to wait around hours to meet the people that keep logging on and off. This is just really basic stuff to make something busier - it's to not leave those people wandering around hoping to see someone, and instead give them an opportunity.

I feel like there are two significant things here.

• One is... people log in, look around and don't see immediate action, and leave. This is not my problem, having extra RPT times doesn't make people stay logged in.
  
• The other is ... You want there to be something happening OFFICIALLY either before, or after, an announced RPT. Any after-party is going to be based on what happens AT the RPT, and anything happening beforehand is probably already planned out or has been worked on.

I just really don't understand the ask here. Is it "have more stuff going on" or is it "find a way to keep people engaged until the RPT occurs"? I'm just trying to understand, can you come up with some like... pretend situation where an RPT is announced and you have people 'waiting around hours trying to meet people who are logging on and off'?

[Bebop]

So you wanna live in Europe, have a great quality of life, free healthcare AND get to do HRPTs?  What's it feel like to be gods favorite?

In all seriousness, from what I've seen IG it seems like the players most heavily involved in this area on at these times.  It's not ideal for everyone.  I'm a hair stylist and my busiest day is Saturday.  If I want to go I'll probably be up late on a work night.  So it's not great for me either and to make it I'll have to RUSH home.

Also a tip the HRPT part is only a small portion not this RPT and if you go around these days and times I'm sure there'll still be plenty to see and do.

TLDR the schedule was done out of necessity not an intent to exclude from what I can see.

[Kestria]

So you wanna live in Europe, have a great quality of life, free healthcare AND get to do HRPTs?  What's it feel like to be gods favorite?

I would love to know what planet THAT Europe is on.. because it's not on this one.




On a more related note, I think /some/ staff animated HRPT's should be balanced around a time that both peak AND offpeak can join together.  I have always tried to do events Saturday/Sunday and as late as I can make it myself as a European player without having to log off half way through, or, stay up ridiculously late.

[Bebop]

So you wanna live in Europe, have a great quality of life, free healthcare AND get to do HRPTs?  What's it feel like to be gods favorite?

I would love to know what planet THAT Europe is on.. because it's not on this one.

Idk Netherlands is pretty high up there for quality of life. 🙃

Also just wanted to note I have missed probably like the last five HRPTs.  I'm not sure I ever was really heavily involved in any over the last fifteen years.  Usually I find them to be a sensory overload experience and avoid them TBH.  But I still enjoy the game and have never felt like I couldn't comprehend what was going on or RP off of what had occured even if I wasn't there.

[Riev]

On a more related note, I think /some/ staff animated HRPT's should be balanced around a time that both peak AND offpeak can join together.  I have always tried to do events Saturday/Sunday and as late as I can make it myself as a European player without having to log off half way through, or, stay up ridiculously late.

I'm sure you don't MEAN this, but this sounds like "Staff aren't planning HRPTs on a balanced schedule".

I want to be salty towards staff. Thats who I am. Its what I do. But even I'M appalled at what is sounding like "But I couldn't go to the last 2 RPTs so staff should run RPTs that involve every time zone".

[Hestia]

On a more related note, I think /some/ staff animated HRPT's should be balanced around a time that both peak AND offpeak can join together.  I have always tried to do events Saturday/Sunday and as late as I can make it myself as a European player without having to log off half way through, or, stay up ridiculously late.

I'm sure you don't MEAN this, but this sounds like "Staff aren't planning HRPTs on a balanced schedule".

I want to be salty towards staff. Thats who I am. Its what I do. But even I'M appalled at what is sounding like "But I couldn't go to the last 2 RPTs so staff should run RPTs that involve every time zone".

I won't put words in Kestria's keyboard but I /think/ she intended this to be theoretic. As in - if all things worked out optimally given the availabilities of players and staff, big HRPTs should (theoretically) be balanced (etc).  Not that they should as in "must" or "required" or "as demanded."

We do have RPTs at all hours, including the Ocotillo Festival which started early afternoon server time and well into the late peak hours server time, over the course of three days, and involved countless hours of RPed planning, meetings, communications between characters and even involving animated NPCs for months prior to the actual event - most of which happened at some time OTHER than peak server.

[Halaster]

Also just wanted to note I have missed probably like the last five HRPTs.  I'm not sure I ever was really heavily involved in any over the last fifteen years.  Usually I find them to be a sensory overload experience and avoid them TBH.  But I still enjoy the game and have never felt like I couldn't comprehend what was going on or RP off of what had occured even if I wasn't there.

I noticed that about myself when I came back to the game.  I can't deal with the input coming at me as fast as I used to be able to.  Guess it's one of the drawbacks of getting older.

[Kestria]

On a more related note, I think /some/ staff animated HRPT's should be balanced around a time that both peak AND offpeak can join together.  I have always tried to do events Saturday/Sunday and as late as I can make it myself as a European player without having to log off half way through, or, stay up ridiculously late.

I'm sure you don't MEAN this, but this sounds like "Staff aren't planning HRPTs on a balanced schedule".

I want to be salty towards staff. Thats who I am. Its what I do. But even I'M appalled at what is sounding like "But I couldn't go to the last 2 RPTs so staff should run RPTs that involve every time zone".

I won't put words in Kestria's keyboard but I /think/ she intended this to be theoretic. As in - if all things worked out optimally given the availabilities of players and staff, big HRPTs should (theoretically) be balanced (etc).  Not that they should as in "must" or "required" or "as demanded."

We do have RPTs at all hours, including the Ocotillo Festival which started early afternoon server time and well into the late peak hours server time, over the course of three days, and involved countless hours of RPed planning, meetings, communications between characters and even involving animated NPCs for months prior to the actual event - most of which happened at some time OTHER than peak server.

Entirely theoretical, not demanding in the slightest. But as it has been spoken about so often recently, we cannot help how people percieve our written words to be when they read them. I was merely voicing an opinion as a european player that has been playing 12 years, and is USE to not catching a lot of HRPTs. No I am nowhere near 'salty',  I still play despite knowing I miss most of them?  Nothing 'appauling' about it 
I am sorry that it might be taken in such a fashion to peoples eyes and minds.

[Iiyola]

How dare you form an opinion and suggestions, Kestria. Sometimes though, people just read parts of posts and don't get the whole picture, and then devolve in the endless vicious circle of repeating the same "solutions" which already have been discussed and countered.

[Armaddict]

I think we just need to make our next staffing rolecall specifically for off-peak.

We don't need to shift around existing RPT times, we need to add more.

We do need to find a way to shuffle peak and off-peak RPTs so that they are aligned in story but taking different parts in it, sometimes with the 'action' happening off peak, and sometimes with the buildup, aftermath, or preparation being on the other timeline.

While off-peak might not be particularly exciting to staff over right now, it's also an area of the playerbase we can see marked improvement in numbers through a lot less actual gain (i.e. if peak players is average of 10 vs 20, picking up 4 for a new average of 14 is 'higher impact' than 20 becoming 24).

I don't think this problem requires a binary solution where fixing it requires sacrifice on the other end (or change).

[Patuk]

The past three role calls have included a line about peak times being preferred or even nigh-mandatory, and it has me think of this thread. 'Go play the leader' is terrible advice if you're disqualified just for living somewhere.

[Pariah]

The past three role calls have included a line about peak times being preferred or even nigh-mandatory, and it has me think of this thread. 'Go play the leader' is terrible advice if you're disqualified just for living somewhere.

It's unfortunate, but if most people are on from 7p-12am EST.

In the current framework of how the game works it's hard to expect a leader to do much of anything when it's 4am or 5am and most people are asleep.

I've always thought this game could benefit from messengers or a mail system similar to old school SOI

That way if an off peak player is boss of x clan, they can correspond with their minions even without being logged in at the same time to a limited degree.

Todo lists
Assassination Targets
So on.

For established clans with boards you can "sorta" do this,  but making an ooc thing an ic thing is sorta weird.

I've long wished for courier NPCs or something that could deliver messages and small items but it never came to be.

Hell, I'd be the player doing that, running all over the world delivering messages and items to people.  That would probably be fun till you found out something you shouldn't and were killed.

[dunecrawler]

The past three role calls have included a line about peak times being preferred or even nigh-mandatory, and it has me think of this thread. 'Go play the leader' is terrible advice if you're disqualified just for living somewhere.

It's unfortunate, but if most people are on from 7p-12am EST.

In the current framework of how the game works it's hard to expect a leader to do much of anything when it's 4am or 5am and most people are asleep.

There are about 19 hours between 7-11 PM server time and 4-5 AM. I'm not sure why players need to jump to extremes every time this is brought up.
I frequently see between 20 and 30 players online in the hours before 7 PM, and I'm pretty sure you would see better numbers if there were some leaders available during that time, instead of restricting all the movers and shakers to peak only. This is a recently resurfaced trend. It was not that common for role calls in recent years, it was not necessary in the past and I don't know why there is this sudden need to return to that.

[Pariah]

The past three role calls have included a line about peak times being preferred or even nigh-mandatory, and it has me think of this thread. 'Go play the leader' is terrible advice if you're disqualified just for living somewhere.

It's unfortunate, but if most people are on from 7p-12am EST.

In the current framework of how the game works it's hard to expect a leader to do much of anything when it's 4am or 5am and most people are asleep.

There are about 19 hours between 7-11 PM server time and 4-5 AM. I'm not sure why players need to jump to extremes every time this is brought up.
I frequently see between 20 and 30 players online in the hours before 7 PM, and I'm pretty sure you would see better numbers if there were some leaders available during that time, instead of restricting all the movers and shakers to peak only. This is a recently resurfaced trend. It was not that common for role calls in recent years, it was not necessary in the past and I don't know why there is this sudden need to return to that.

If I had to guess it's just make sure there isn't more chiefs than Indians.  I doubt there is anything nefarious in their minds like, "we don't like Europeans"

The leaders really are only required to recruit people and do sales of certain things.

I once was a Salarr hunter and something happened to all the merchants and it was pretty much a gmh of me for a while and they gave me the coded power to sell shit and all that so they do make adjustments when it needs done.