StartPlaying helps GMs and players coordinate across the globe by automatically managing time zones and Daylight Savings Time (DST). Here’s how it all works:
How does StartPlaying handle time zones when searching?
We use your browser’s time zone to show session times on the Find Games page. This means all game listings are shown in your local time automatically - no need to convert times!
How does StartPlaying handle time zones in emails?
Emails (like session reminders) use the Time Zone selected in your Player Profile under your Account Settings.
How does StartPlaying handle time zones for scheduling sessions?
When you create a session, we use the Time Zone selected in your Player Profile under your Account Settings.
How do I set my time zone on StartPlaying?
To set you Time Zone:
Go to your Account Settings page
Select your Time Zone on your Player Profile from the drop down
Click Save at the bottom of the page
📌 Note: If no time zone is selected, your emails will default to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).
How does Daylight Savings Time (DST) affect my time zone?
The time zones on StartPlaying are DST-aware, meaning:
The platform automatically adjusts for Daylight Savings Time when it begins or ends in your area.
You don’t need to manually adjust for DST when scheduling or searching for games.
What if my players or GM are in different time zones with different DST dates?
Different parts of the world observe Daylight Savings Time on different dates.
Game times and dates are based on the GM's time zone and schedule. Players will see the session adjusted to their local time.
If DST starts or ends in one region but not the other, game times may appear to shift by 1 hour for some participants.
📌 Example
A GM in California runs a game for 4 UK Players at 12:00 PM Pacific.
When UK players "fall back" for DST on October 29th, their local time changes.
Before DST ends in the UK: Game is at 8:00 PM UK time
After DST ends in the UK: Game now appears at 7:00 PM UK time
The GM’s time stays the same, but UK players experience a 1-hour shift.
✅ Best Practice: Check in with your fellow players or GM to confirm when their region observes DST.
Where can I find more information about Daylight Savings Time dates?
For a list of when different countries around the world experience Daylight Savings, you can check out this Wikipedia article.