Game start timers in private games started from social tavern

First there's the phase where "Joining game..." shows at the top of the screen for 5-10 seconds.  Then there's the "Launching" dialog.  And finally, at the start of the game, there's "Waiting for more players" for 15 seconds.  Now, I specifically started a private game so I could play alone, so all these timers seem misplaced.  In fact, I seem to recall that joining a quick match game didn't have any timers.  Neither do private games started from a private tavern - I get put into a game instantly.

If I restart the first game from the stats screen, I get a new "Waiting for more players" timer.

Could you take a look at these?  It's annoying to have to wait 30 seconds for the game to start, when I know it's technically possible to start it instantly.

I have been wondering about this myself. I can't see any reason these times should be in the game. 

Most likely the timers are in there if you have a friend or two join your private game before the distribution of gems from chests come out. Usually would send a quick invite to a friend as I can't invite them prior to starting a game from the war table, but can do it as soon as we enter a map. (P.S. You can also join a friend in their social tavern and then start it from there since it auto-parties you, but it seems so roundabout)

Mana is distributed when a chest is opened, no?  So I can just delay opening the chest until everyone has joined.  No need to force me to wait 15 seconds for that.

@tdb quote:

Mana is distributed when a chest is opened, no?  So I can just delay opening the chest until everyone has joined.  No need to force me to wait 15 seconds for that.

Not from my experience. I was playing with my wife and had invited to her my game, she joined after the countdown (chest was already available to me, but I didn't take it) and she was unable to use the chest and I received all the mana.

Well, they ought to change that then.  Making the chests available to everyone is much more user-friendly than a timer.