My phone is silent, out of pocket and face down. I use that phone ring as a fidget spinner (mine is very loose and spins around easily). I thought of bringing a mandarin orange like Johnny Chan (WSOP) but it got eaten by the 2nd round.

2 hours ago, nigeltastic said:

Very interesting reactions here. My suspicion is that most of the "no phones allowed grrrr" posters are either older or less tech savvy. Not 100% sure but that would be my gut feeling.

I'll pull my phone out and check forums/Facebook group chats/whatever depending on what's happening in the game. If it's an opponent I'm not engaged with socially particularly well or they're just thinking hard and there is a large lull where I'm doing nothing, why not? I have the capability to be attentive to their body language and keep an eye on their activity while also doing 'phone stuff'.

Another point is is your argument about phones (regardless of xwing) ever includes something about "blahblahblah Facebook likes blah blah narcissism" you're just silly. I talk to all my friends on Facebook messenger, why would it be bad for me to be social with people I like to be social with? Just because I'm not talking out loud to another person doesn't mean I'm not being social.

I'm young, and I don't like my opponents on their phone unless they've finished setting dials and I haven't.

Facebook is cool and all, but if you're prioritising talking to your friends over it rather than the person engaging with you two meters away, they're going to be insulted.

2 hours ago, nigeltastic said:

Very interesting reactions here. My suspicion is that most of the "no phones allowed grrrr" posters are either older or less tech savvy. Not 100% sure but that would be my gut feeling.

I actually doubt that very much but it may depend on what you consider "no phones allowed."

I highly doubt most of would care if someone has his phone on/available if there something less than a 25% chance it ever gets used once. Having a phone and USING a phone are two very different things. Now if you think that using your phone 25% of the time or more during the game is acceptable this is where you will be rubbing many people the wrong way. Although the stereotype has it as younger people if you can't put the **** phone down to play a face-to-face game then PLEASE don't both showing up to play as clearly your priorities are elsewhere.

3 hours ago, nigeltastic said:

Very interesting reactions here. My suspicion is that most of the "no phones allowed grrrr" posters are either older or less tech savvy. Not 100% sure but that would be my gut feeling.

I'll pull my phone out and check forums/Facebook group chats/whatever depending on what's happening in the game. If it's an opponent I'm not engaged with socially particularly well or they're just thinking hard and there is a large lull where I'm doing nothing, why not? I have the capability to be attentive to their body language and keep an eye on their activity while also doing 'phone stuff'.

Another point is is your argument about phones (regardless of xwing) ever includes something about "blahblahblah Facebook likes blah blah narcissism" you're just silly. I talk to all my friends on Facebook messenger, why would it be bad for me to be social with people I like to be social with? Just because I'm not talking out loud to another person doesn't mean I'm not being social.

I'm on my phone all of the time and I don't like it when players are on their phones during games. I've never spoken up about it.

One time I had an opponent that was playing a game on his phone while he was playing X-Wing.

I'm a big video gamer, but I enjoy this game in part because of how it's all real, physical objects and it requires human opponents. I'm playing this game to get away from screens, so I don't understand why someone would want to constantly be on their phone during a game.

Sure, if it's an emergency or something. But otherwise get off your damned phone.

If someone is going to be on their phone during a game constantly, I may as well just stay home and play X-Wing on Tabletop Simulator. Either way there is a screen dividing me from opponent, may as well not have to put on pants.

This whole thread reads like a political argument: basically people talking past each other and assuming that anyone not in direct agreement with their position is automatically supporting the most extreme opposite position

seems to me that phone use during a game would really just come down to whether or not it interferes with your play. As long as you are just using your downtime and still paying enough attention to play properly/efficiently I don't see why it would be an issue. Personally though I have never played a game where I had enough time or need to fiddle on my phone very often beyond maybe replying to occasional texts/messages as time allowed. I also usually play with friends so I guess there might be less banter between players when playing someone you don't know

46 minutes ago, Effenhoog said:

This whole thread reads like a political argument: basically people talking past each other and assuming that anyone not in direct agreement with their position is automatically supporting the most extreme opposite position

seems to me that phone use during a game would really just come down to whether or not it interferes with your play. As long as you are just using your downtime and still paying enough attention to play properly/efficiently I don't see why it would be an issue. Personally though I have never played a game where I had enough time or need to fiddle on my phone very often beyond maybe replying to occasional texts/messages as time allowed. I also usually play with friends so I guess there might be less banter between players when playing someone you don't know

Isn't that how it is with everything these days? I'm not sure if anyone has argued that phone should be completely banned from the play area although I probably would say there have been some that come pretty close to "I'll be on my phone the entire time and you'd better be good with that." The real question is where is that middle area between "the phone is a distraction" and "the phone is needed." In this post the question is what is considered "still paying enough attention" although I'd also add that being on your phone could be considered an attempt to distract your opponent to mess with his game.

Some have wanted X-Wing to play more like Chess; so how does Chess handle cell phones? I can't say I've ever seen a real chess tournament but suspect that distractions are highly discouraged.

5 hours ago, nigeltastic said:

Very interesting reactions here. My suspicion is that most of the "no phones allowed grrrr" posters are either older or less tech savvy. Not 100% sure but that would be my gut feeling.

Nay, I'm 20-something and addicted to screens.

I like to pull out my phone a take a picture just before the decisive combat is about to start...

..and then once more, once the outcome is known, and the match is effectively won or lost (unless ofcourse your dice fails you utterly for the rest of the game).

I only play casual and tend to use my phone whilst waiting for the other person to finish setting their dials or deciding on their actions but once that is done I put my phone down, even if I am half way through writing a text. I try not to let it interfere with the game.

Like I said in the original thread:

If they're actually significantly holding up the game, then fine, that's a problem. But you don't have the right to dictate to them how they spend their downtime during a game. If they want to look at something else while you make your moves, that's their prerogative. They're under no obligation to watch you take your turn like it's some kind of performance.

The "acceptable circumstances" for when its okay for me to be doing something else is "any time I'm not currently doing something in the game".

Me personally? I listen to podcasts through headphones when it's not my turn to be doing something.

It's no different then when I'm using a flight path in WoW or sitting on the toilet. Downtime is downtime. It's not like they're trying to have a conversation with me while their making their moves. They're focusing on what they're doing. While *I'm* not doing anything. I can sit there doing nothing, or I can listen to some nerd tell me about what he did in Zelda that week.

On 7/12/2017 at 8:04 AM, Tom1132 said:

I'm not down for prompting you to take your turn

You know you kinda have to do that anyway right?

Your opponent is not supposed to try and guess when you've finished and just start acting on their own, potentially going before you've actually set all your dials/performed all your actions/made all your shots/etc. You're SUPPOSED to inform then when you have finished and it's their turn to go.

On 14/07/2017 at 0:25 PM, DarthEnderX said:

Like I said in the original thread:

If they're actually significantly holding up the game, then fine, that's a problem. But you don't have the right to dictate to them how they spend their downtime during a game. If they want to look at something else while you make your moves, that's their prerogative. They're under no obligation to watch you take your turn like it's some kind of performance.

The "acceptable circumstances" for when its okay for me to be doing something else is "any time I'm not currently doing something in the game".

Me personally? I listen to podcasts through headphones when it's not my turn to be doing something.

It's no different then when I'm using a flight path in WoW or sitting on the toilet. Downtime is downtime. It's not like they're trying to have a conversation with me while their making their moves. They're focusing on what they're doing. While *I'm* not doing anything. I can sit there doing nothing, or I can listen to some nerd tell me about what he did in Zelda that week.

You know you kinda have to do that anyway right?

Your opponent is not supposed to try and guess when you've finished and just start acting on their own, potentially going before you've actually set all your dials/performed all your actions/made all your shots/etc. You're SUPPOSED to inform then when you have finished and it's their turn to go.

@nigeltastic @wfain @Stevey86

I'm talking casually (though it makes little difference) and I've already said "I'm done" or "that's me" (something to that effect).

Yet, their head is still on their phone. If I have to make steps *beyond* that, then you're not paying enough attention. I've had to physically wave in front of people before.

That's what I meant by prompting. Going above and beyond the expected (that is, notifying your opponent that you are done).

@Tom1132

that's a horse of a different color but I still suggest you voice your expectations if it is enough to ruin the game for you. All this nonsense could be avoided if people stopped assuming everyone shared the same expectations and/or felt personally disrespected everytime someone didn't meet those assumed expectations.

On 14/7/2017 at 9:21 AM, Sciencius said:

I like to pull out my phone a take a picture just before the decisive combat is about to start...

..and then once more, once the outcome is known, and the match is effectively won or lost (unless ofcourse your dice fails you utterly for the rest of the game).

I should do the same.

This hobby is full of barely functioning sociopaths. Let them have their phone time.

On 15/07/2017 at 10:44 PM, wfain said:

@Tom1132

that's a horse of a different color but I still suggest you voice your expectations if it is enough to ruin the game for you. All this nonsense could be avoided if people stopped assuming everyone shared the same expectations and/or felt personally disrespected everytime someone didn't meet those assumed expectations.

I could easily argue it could all be avoided by keeping your phone in your pocket for all of an hour (bar emergencies).

But it seems that is too difficult for many

the occasional text is fine, but i hate it when people answer a call thats not vital during a game. Voice message is a thing, let them use it.
Fortunately it doesnt happen much but every once in awhile i'll get an opponent that wastes like 10m on a call basically going "Yeah i know. Yeah. Yeah i cant talk right now im playing xwing. Yeah, no duh. Look i seriously cant talk right now..." etc etc.

Unless im not doing anything i dont even touch my phone when it rings. They can leave a message if im busy/its important.

I always have my phone out during tournament games. It helps with stalling to win on time. It also usually visibly annoys and bothers my opponents, but like most gamers they are too non-confrontational to ever say anything. This can help throw them off their mental game. Occasionally, you can also use it with an augmented reality app to estimate distances, and if you've memorized how far in inches/cm the range bands and movement tools are this can be very helpful. If you have a buddy standing behind your opponent, you can also get texts about what maneuver(s) they just selected.


NOTE: Sarcasm, but these are exactly the sorts of reasons why you should not have phones out during game play.

I'm cool w/ quick photos of the action, and of course if it's a highly important call, you do what you gotta do. I had a guy tell me before we started once that his wife was 8 1/2 months pregnant, so if she called he would have to answer. I get that 100%, no question.

But there's a line where you're being disrespectful to the person across from you, if you're unable to go 5 minutes without texting somebody. And if I saw somebody playing a game on their phone while we were playing X-Wing, I would pick up my stuff and leave, even mid-turn. I refuse to be disrespected in that way. It's saying that I'm only worth a portion of that person's time and energy, and a relatively small one at that. "Rude" doesn't even cover it in that case.

3 hours ago, Tom1132 said:

On 7/15/2017 at 4:44 PM, wfain said:

...
that's a horse of a different color but I still suggest you voice your expectations if it is enough to ruin the game for you. All this nonsense could be avoided if people stopped assuming everyone shared the same expectations and/or felt personally disrespected everytime someone didn't meet those assumed expectations.

I could easily argue it could all be avoided by keeping your phone in your pocket for all of an hour (bar emergencies).

But it seems that is too difficult for many

If we're looking for expectation I'd say the universal expectation is that phones will not be used at all during the game. If you're there to play X-Wing then there is no reason for the phone to be there. Maybe it seems so harsh to those of you who apparently couldn't live without your phones for a little more than an hour but it is a far better to work with than starting from the other end and thinking the game is just the distraction from your phone.

1 hour ago, AllWingsStandyingBy said:

I always have my phone out during tournament games. It helps with stalling to win on time. It also usually visibly annoys and bothers my opponents, but like most gamers they are too non-confrontational to ever say anything. This can help throw them off their mental game. Occasionally, you can also use it with an augmented reality app to estimate distances, and if you've memorized how far in inches/cm the range bands and movement tools are this can be very helpful. If you have a buddy standing behind your opponent, you can also get texts about what maneuver(s) they just selected.


NOTE: Sarcasm, but these are exactly the sorts of reasons why you should not have phones out during game play.

It may be sarcasm but it hits oh so many points. You may have missed that you could also be using your phone to get instruction from some Master who is monitoring the game and can tell you what all of your best moves and targets will be each round and he may even know what your opponent is doing.

4 minutes ago, StevenO said:

If we're looking for expectation I'd say the universal expectation is that phones will not be used at all during the game.

Exactly, you'd say. Clearly not everyone agrees. If you have an expectation and you don't tell the person you're playing with how on earth is it reasonable to hold them to unsaid expectation? This conversation is mind-numbing. You all cry and complain about respect- but you don't give your playing partner the respect of voicing your expectations! People of all backgrounds and upbringings exist- there are no such thing as universal expectations. If you don't voice them and get so offended they aren't being met that you would leave mid-turn? You are the person showing real disrespect. Just take the 12 seconds to TELL THE PERSON YOU ARE PLAYING WITH that you have a certain expectation about phones or whatever else. Seriously fellas, this is so easy.

2 minutes ago, wfain said:

Exactly, you'd say. Clearly not everyone agrees. If you have an expectation and you don't tell the person you're playing with how on earth is it reasonable to hold them to unsaid expectation? This conversation is mind-numbing. You all cry and complain about respect- but you don't give your playing partner the respect of voicing your expectations! People of all backgrounds and upbringings exist- there are no such thing as universal expectations. If you don't voice them and get so offended they aren't being met that you would leave mid-turn? You are the person showing real disrespect. Just take the 12 seconds to TELL THE PERSON YOU ARE PLAYING WITH that you have a certain expectation about phones or whatever else. Seriously fellas, this is so easy.

Clearly not but what do you believe is a better BASELINE expectation? No phones is VERY reasonable when you've come to play X-Wing and it ELIMINATES any possible phone controversy. If someone does bring out a phone you have your place to start from and is going to be far easier to say "that's ok" then it is to say "put that away" without disrupting the game.

You have NO PHONES as your baseline it's pretty easy to allow some use past that without it becoming an issue and I HOPE that most people don't make constant use of their phones during games. If it helps you the "No Phones" baseline is your speed limit. In a good many place you can usually get by with going a little over that; I believe many places don't even start enforcing them until you're at least 10% over the limit. Of course you can sometime drive MUCH faster than the speed limit but if you want to avoid problems there had generally better be a good reason for it as you're really putting the safety of anyone on the road in danger. Your heavy mobile use during the game is the reckless driver who is going too fast on the road although in this case what you are wrecking is the game experience for others.

@wfain is talking about the way things actually are and @StevenO is talking about the way they would like things to be.

I will say StevenO, there can never be a universal baseline. There is no universal community for this game, if you want to set standards and expectations for your local group then sure, ok. But you can't reach everyone that plays this game short of FFG writing new rules or regulations. And I personally would never accept a game company trying to regulate my or anyone else's phone use when playing a game.

7 minutes ago, codegnave said:

@wfain is talking about the way things actually are and @StevenO is talking about the way they would like things to be.

I will say StevenO, there can never be a universal baseline. There is no universal community for this game, if you want to set standards and expectations for your local group then sure, ok. But you can't reach everyone that plays this game short of FFG writing new rules or regulations. And I personally would never accept a game company trying to regulate my or anyone else's phone use when playing a game.

So there are no expectations when playing the game? I'll also point out that I am NOT the one who brought up the idea that there should be expectation and while you could waste time discussing what those could be between every game you play it's a lot easier to just to have them.

FFG writing new rules? Seems to me they do that quite a bit these days. You know what, putting a little piece in the tournament rule and FAQ about expecting phone use and other action the opponent could consider distracting to a minimum probably SHOULD be in the rules. You know, it some ways it already is in the rules under Unsporting Conduct as many could see you spending all that time of your phone as being disrespectful; it may be a somewhat grey area in the rules but if your opponent considers your phone a distraction then it is in there. "But my OPPONENT is disrespecting me by not letting me use my phone!!!!" If anyone ever tried using that the TO should agree and say that the phone use is more important and give the player a game loss since clearly the phone use is more important than the game.

I've never been against a player having access to his or her phone during a game but you can quickly get to a point where that phone is a detriment to the game. Use can then go far beyond being detrimental to a point where the game isn't even being played anymore. If you want to set expectation how would you draw a line somewhere "in the middle" because even I'd agree that you really don't want either extreme to be absolute; the thing is that backing off from one end of the absolute is far easier than cutting down on the other other end.

You'd NEVER accept someone trying to regulate your use of your phone when playing a game? I feel so sorry for you and all of the wonderful things you must miss out on. I guess team sports like football, soccer, baseball, and basketball are things you should never consider participating in outside of fantasy. I'm not sure how well Chess would do if/when people could continually consult their phones during matches. Poker would be a GREAT game to play when you can use your phone to help you with the odds and to get updates from your spies that have been sitting behind your opponents. I supposed you also need to have your phone on hand all the time when engaging in intimate relationships. You probably can't survive an hour without oxygen but you certainly should be able to survive an hour or so without your phone; people did it for thousands of years so it shouldn't kill you either.

The guy I am playing right now seems to be against it. Is it you?

JUST SET THE DIAL!!

I don't have a Facebook or any of that other stuff, but I spend a lot of time on my phone, with this forum, albeit not during games, so I'm not gonna judge!

If people take too long to play the game because they're on their phone, no biggie. I just get up and go talk to someone else while I'm waiting for them to set their dials. I figure that's a fair deal - they're talking to someone else, so why shouldn't I? Interestingly, this seems to have a subconscious effect of making people put their phone away!