void Start()
    {
        // https://forum.photonengine.com/discussion/7805/received-onserialization-for-view-id-xxxx-we-have-no-such-photon-view

        // finds the GameTracker object in the scene
        gameTracker = GameObject.FindGameObjectWithTag("GameTracker").GetComponent <GameTracker>();

        // Start method will only be called once scene is loaded, thus each player sends an RPC to confirm that they have loaded the scene and are ready to be spawned in
        gameTracker.PlayerLoadedFirstLevel();
    }