diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/EZGame.as b/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/EZGame.as
index 1afa3f80..461a79e6 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/EZGame.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/EZGame.as
@@ -89,6 +89,19 @@ public interface EZGame
     function sendMessage (
         messageName :String, value :Object, playerIndex :int = -1) :void;
 
+    /**
+     * Start the ticker with the specified name. It will deliver
+     * messages to the game object at the specified delay,
+     * the value of each message being a single integer, starting with 0
+     * and increasing by one with each messsage.
+     */
+    function startTicker (tickerName :String, msOfDelay :int) :void;
+
+    /**
+     * Stop the specified ticker.
+     */
+    function stopTicker (tickerName :String) :void;
+
     /**
      * Send a message that will be heard by everyone in the game room,
      * even observers.
diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/client/EZGameService.as b/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/client/EZGameService.as
index 29c47715..da588df8 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/client/EZGameService.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/client/EZGameService.as
@@ -74,5 +74,16 @@ public interface EZGameService extends InvocationService
         client :Client, collName :String, consume :Boolean, count :int,
         msgOrPropName :String, playerIndex :int,
         listener :InvocationService_ConfirmListener) :void;
+
+    /**
+     * Start a ticker that will send out timestamp information at
+     * the interval specified.
+     *
+     * @param msOfDelay must be at least 50, or 0 may be set to halt
+     * and clear a previously started ticker.
+     */
+    function setTicker (
+        client :Client, tickerName :String, msOfDelay :int,
+        listener :InvocationService_InvocationListener) :void;
 }
 }
diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/client/GameObjectImpl.as b/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/client/GameObjectImpl.as
index a2ef7fcd..2c163c60 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/client/GameObjectImpl.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/client/GameObjectImpl.as
@@ -184,6 +184,20 @@ public class GameObjectImpl extends EventDispatcher
             createLoggingListener("sendMessage"));
     }
 
+    // from EZGame
+    public function startTicker (tickerName :String, msOfDelay :int) :void
+    {
+        validateName(tickerName);
+        _ezObj.ezGameService.setTicker(_ctx.getClient(),
+            tickerName, msOfDelay, createLoggingListener("setTicker"));
+    }
+
+    // from EZGame
+    public function stopTicker (tickerName :String) :void
+    {
+        startTicker(tickerName, 0);
+    }
+
     // from EZGame
     public function sendChat (msg :String) :void
     {
diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameMarshaller.as b/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameMarshaller.as
index 9c3ec2de..2b049535 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameMarshaller.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameMarshaller.as
@@ -121,5 +121,18 @@ public class EZGameMarshaller extends InvocationMarshaller
         ]);
     }
 
+    /** The method id used to dispatch {@link #setTicker} requests. */
+    public static const SET_TICKER :int = 8;
+
+    // documentation inherited from interface
+    public function setTicker (arg1 :Client, arg2 :String, arg3 :int, arg4 :InvocationService_InvocationListener) :void
+    {
+        var listener4 :InvocationMarshaller_ListenerMarshaller = new InvocationMarshaller_ListenerMarshaller();
+        listener4.listener = arg4;
+        sendRequest(arg1, SET_TICKER, [
+            arg2, Integer.valueOf(arg3), listener4
+        ]);
+    }
+
 }
 }
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/EZGame.java b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/EZGame.java
index a55fa784..9a0a3985 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/EZGame.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/EZGame.java
@@ -110,6 +110,19 @@ public interface EZGame
     public void sendMessage (
         String messageName, Object value, int playerIndex);
 
+    /**
+     * Start the ticker with the specified name. It will deliver
+     * messages to the game object at the specified delay,
+     * the value of each message being a single integer, starting with 0
+     * and increasing by one with each messsage.
+     */
+    public void startTicker (String tickerName, int msOfDelay);
+
+    /**
+     * Stop the specified ticker.
+     */
+    public void stopTicker (String tickerName);
+
     /**
      * Send a message that will be heard by everyone in the game room,
      * even observers.
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/client/EZGameService.java b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/client/EZGameService.java
index e23e861f..d85a4e62 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/client/EZGameService.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/client/EZGameService.java
@@ -72,4 +72,15 @@ public interface EZGameService extends InvocationService
     public void getFromCollection (
         Client client, String collName, boolean consume, int count,
         String msgOrPropName, int playerIndex, ConfirmListener listener);
+
+    /**
+     * Start a ticker that will send out timestamp information at
+     * the interval specified.
+     *
+     * @param msOfDelay must be at least 50, or 0 may be set to halt
+     * and clear a previously started ticker.
+     */
+    public void setTicker (
+        Client client, String tickerName, int msOfDelay,
+        InvocationListener listener);
 }
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/client/GameObjectImpl.java b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/client/GameObjectImpl.java
index ac923073..2aa146fb 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/client/GameObjectImpl.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/client/GameObjectImpl.java
@@ -168,6 +168,20 @@ public class GameObjectImpl
             createLoggingListener("sendMessage"));
     }
 
+    // from EZGame
+    public void startTicker (String tickerName, int msOfDelay)
+    {
+        validateName(tickerName);
+        _ezObj.ezGameService.setTicker(_ctx.getClient(),
+            tickerName, msOfDelay, createLoggingListener("setTicker"));
+    }
+
+    // from EZGame
+    public void stopTicker (String tickerName)
+    {
+        startTicker(tickerName, 0);
+    }
+
     // from EZGame
     public void sendChat (String msg)
     {
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameMarshaller.java b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameMarshaller.java
index 4419aae9..5f6b6b1a 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameMarshaller.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/data/EZGameMarshaller.java
@@ -1,5 +1,23 @@
 //
 // $Id$
+//
+// Vilya library - tools for developing networked games
+// Copyright (C) 2002-2006 Three Rings Design, Inc., All Rights Reserved
+// http://www.threerings.net/code/vilya/
+//
+// This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+// under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
+// by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+// Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+// License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 
 package com.threerings.ezgame.data;
 
@@ -110,4 +128,17 @@ public class EZGameMarshaller extends InvocationMarshaller
         });
     }
 
+    /** The method id used to dispatch {@link #setTicker} requests. */
+    public static final int SET_TICKER = 8;
+
+    // documentation inherited from interface
+    public void setTicker (Client arg1, String arg2, int arg3, InvocationService.InvocationListener arg4)
+    {
+        ListenerMarshaller listener4 = new ListenerMarshaller();
+        listener4.listener = arg4;
+        sendRequest(arg1, SET_TICKER, new Object[] {
+            arg2, Integer.valueOf(arg3), listener4
+        });
+    }
+
 }
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameDispatcher.java b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameDispatcher.java
index c5c4e029..63406994 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameDispatcher.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameDispatcher.java
@@ -1,5 +1,23 @@
 //
 // $Id$
+//
+// Vilya library - tools for developing networked games
+// Copyright (C) 2002-2006 Three Rings Design, Inc., All Rights Reserved
+// http://www.threerings.net/code/vilya/
+//
+// This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+// under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
+// by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+// Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+// License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 
 package com.threerings.ezgame.server;
 
@@ -26,13 +44,13 @@ public class EZGameDispatcher extends InvocationDispatcher
         this.provider = provider;
     }
 
-    // documentation inherited
+    // from InvocationDispatcher
     public InvocationMarshaller createMarshaller ()
     {
         return new EZGameMarshaller();
     }
 
-    // documentation inherited
+    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked") // from InvocationDispatcher
     public void dispatchRequest (
         ClientObject source, int methodId, Object[] args)
         throws InvocationException
@@ -87,6 +105,13 @@ public class EZGameDispatcher extends InvocationDispatcher
             );
             return;
 
+        case EZGameMarshaller.SET_TICKER:
+            ((EZGameProvider)provider).setTicker(
+                source,
+                (String)args[0], ((Integer)args[1]).intValue(), (InvocationService.InvocationListener)args[2]
+            );
+            return;
+
         default:
             super.dispatchRequest(source, methodId, args);
             return;
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameManager.java
index 1d5a21d8..081a4833 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameManager.java
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import java.util.HashMap;
 
 import com.samskivert.util.ArrayUtil;
 import com.samskivert.util.CollectionUtil;
+import com.samskivert.util.Interval;
 import com.samskivert.util.RandomUtil;
 
 import com.threerings.util.Name;
@@ -15,6 +16,8 @@ import com.threerings.util.Name;
 import com.threerings.presents.data.ClientObject;
 import com.threerings.presents.data.InvocationCodes;
 import com.threerings.presents.dobj.AccessController;
+import com.threerings.presents.dobj.DObjectManager;
+import com.threerings.presents.dobj.MessageEvent;
 import com.threerings.presents.client.InvocationService;
 import com.threerings.presents.server.InvocationException;
 
@@ -196,6 +199,45 @@ public class EZGameManager extends GameManager
         }
     }
 
+    // from EZGameProvider
+    public void setTicker (
+        ClientObject caller, String tickerName, int msOfDelay,
+        InvocationService.InvocationListener listener)
+        throws InvocationException
+    {
+        validateUser(caller);
+
+        Ticker t;
+        if (msOfDelay >= MIN_TICKER_DELAY) {
+            if (_tickers != null) {
+                t = _tickers.get(tickerName);
+
+            } else {
+                _tickers = new HashMap<String, Ticker>();
+                t = null;
+            }
+            if (t == null) {
+                if (_tickers.size() >= MAX_TICKERS) {
+                    throw new InvocationException(ACCESS_DENIED);
+                }
+                t = new Ticker(tickerName, _gameObj);
+                _tickers.put(tickerName, t);
+            }
+            t.start(msOfDelay);
+
+        } else if (msOfDelay <= 0) {
+            if (_tickers != null) {
+                t = _tickers.remove(tickerName);
+                if (t != null) {
+                    t.stop();
+                }
+            }
+
+        } else {
+            throw new InvocationException(ACCESS_DENIED);
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Helper method to send a private message to the specified player
      * index (must already be verified).
@@ -273,10 +315,19 @@ public class EZGameManager extends GameManager
     protected void didShutdown ()
     {
         CrowdServer.invmgr.clearDispatcher(_gameObj.ezGameService);
+        stopTickers();
 
         super.didShutdown();
     }
 
+    @Override
+    protected void gameDidEnd ()
+    {
+        stopTickers();
+
+        super.gameDidEnd();
+    }
+
     @Override
     protected void assignWinners (boolean[] winners)
     {
@@ -290,6 +341,70 @@ public class EZGameManager extends GameManager
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Stop and clear all tickers.
+     */
+    protected void stopTickers ()
+    {
+        if (_tickers != null) {
+            for (Ticker ticker : _tickers.values()) {
+                ticker.stop();
+            }
+            _tickers = null;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * A timer that fires message events to a game.
+     */
+    protected static class Ticker
+    {
+        /**
+         * Create a Ticker.
+         */
+        public Ticker (String name, EZGameObject gameObj)
+        {
+            _name = name;
+            // once we are constructed, we want to avoid calling
+            // methods on dobjs.
+            _oid = gameObj.getOid();
+            _omgr = gameObj.getManager();
+        }
+
+        public void start (int msOfDelay)
+        {
+            _value = 0;
+            _interval.schedule(0, msOfDelay);
+        }
+
+        public void stop ()
+        {
+            _interval.cancel();
+        }
+
+        /** The interval that does our work. Note well that this is
+         * not a 'safe' interval that operates using a RunQueue.
+         * This interval instead does something that we happen to know
+         * is safe for any thread: posting an event to the dobj manager.
+         * If we were using a RunQueue it would be the same event queue
+         * and we would be posted there, wait our turn, and then do the same
+         * thing: post this event. We just expedite the process.
+         */
+        protected Interval _interval = new Interval() {
+            public void expired ()
+            {
+                _omgr.postEvent(
+                    new MessageEvent(_oid, EZGameObject.USER_MESSAGE,
+                        new Object[] { _name, _value++ }));
+            }
+        };
+
+        protected int _oid;
+        protected DObjectManager _omgr;
+        protected String _name;
+        protected int _value;
+    } // End: static class Ticker
+
     /** A nice casted reference to the game object. */
     protected EZGameObject _gameObj;
 
@@ -301,4 +416,13 @@ public class EZGameManager extends GameManager
 
     /** The map of collections, lazy-initialized. */
     protected HashMap<String, ArrayList<byte[]>> _collections;
+
+    /** The map of tickers, lazy-initialized. */
+    protected HashMap<String, Ticker> _tickers;
+
+    /** The minimum delay a ticker can have. */
+    protected static final int MIN_TICKER_DELAY = 50;
+
+    /** The maximum number of tickers allowed at one time. */
+    protected static final int MAX_TICKERS = 3;
 }
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameProvider.java b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameProvider.java
index efab18c3..da2e932b 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameProvider.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/ezgame/server/EZGameProvider.java
@@ -1,5 +1,23 @@
 //
 // $Id$
+//
+// Vilya library - tools for developing networked games
+// Copyright (C) 2002-2006 Three Rings Design, Inc., All Rights Reserved
+// http://www.threerings.net/code/vilya/
+//
+// This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+// under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published
+// by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+// Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+// License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+// Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 
 package com.threerings.ezgame.server;
 
@@ -56,4 +74,10 @@ public interface EZGameProvider extends InvocationProvider
      */
     public void setProperty (ClientObject caller, String arg1, Object arg2, int arg3, InvocationService.InvocationListener arg4)
         throws InvocationException;
+
+    /**
+     * Handles a {@link EZGameService#setTicker} request.
+     */
+    public void setTicker (ClientObject caller, String arg1, int arg2, InvocationService.InvocationListener arg3)
+        throws InvocationException;
 }