Updating a MySQL table every X minutes

[Kaz]

I am currently toying around with a little rpg sort of game.

I am wanting to update a users energy every X minutes.
I know this is possible with a cron, however i am wanting this to work in real time.

Basically I am wanting a little timer under the energy stat point counting down, as it reaches 0 the energy is updated via 1, and the timer goes back to X minutes and counts down again.

Any ideas what the best way to accomplish this is?
Can the user spoof the timer in anyway by changing the time on their device?

Thanks

 

[RastaLulz]

Simply store a record in the database of when the next possible update can occur, and update it every time the energy changes. That way the client can't spoof the timer, and if they do, you'll have a check in place on the server side.

 

[Danbo]

I can help you with this, just pm me

 

[CosmoPeak]

Is it your game? You shouldn't really go through the db to do this sort of thing. Just implement a timer in the game/server.