Fixed End-Time Deadlines (predictable daily deadline times)

[johnpooch]

Problem: Currently, deadlines are calculated relative to when a phase starts. If all players commit early and the phase resolves at 2PM, the next deadline is 2PM the following day. Over time, deadlines can drift to inconvenient times (3AM, etc.), making it hard to plan around work and life schedules.

Proposed feature: Instead of "24 hours from phase start," deadlines would target a fixed clock time (e.g., "always 9PM") with a minimum phase duration. This makes deadlines predictable and easier to manage.

Example:

• Game setting: Deadline at 21:00, minimum 12 hours per phase
• Phase resolves at 14:00 → Next deadline is 21:00 same day (7 hours, but minimum is 12, so deadline becomes 21:00 next day)
• Phase resolves at 08:00 → Next deadline is 21:00 same day (13 hours, meets minimum)

Questions to consider:

• How should time zones be handled? (Game creator's timezone? Each player sees their local time?)
• What's a reasonable minimum phase duration?
• Should this be an alternative mode, or replace the current system entirely?
• How does this interact with retreat/adjustment phases that might need shorter deadlines?

Inspired by this comment from @JorenC

[johnpooch]

Thanks for the feedback on fixed end-time deadlines! I've consolidated this proposal along with #150, #159, and #160 into a comprehensive implementation plan.

Please see #162 - Epic: Flexible Deadlines & Game Master Controls for the full breakdown. Fixed-time deadlines are covered in Phase 4 of the plan.

Your input on the proposed approach is welcome!

[JorenC]

This exists now and is fixed