I know it sucks, cause it means retiming all the existing runs, but I think timings would be easier to keep consistent if: Full runs (bardac%, etc...) Started either on pressing ok to accept difficulty (or the black screen following it) or on pressing a to select new game. Also; if IL timing began at the black screen before battle start as the battle start animation takes time. Where in the animation does timing start? You can also skip this animation by pressing a, making starting a timer inconsistent if it's after the black screen.