trigonometry - C++ Class Variable not updating -

i'm trying code counter class made in c++. i'm passing amount of time, deltat, method of wake class, adds onto value stored variable in class. code is:

void checkplayerwakes(int deltat){     for(size_t = 0; < game.getplayer().getwakes().size(); i++){         wake& w = game.getplayer().getwakes().at(i);         w.age(deltat);     } } 

however, timer meant increasing, remaining @ 0. code change timer is:

void wake::age(int millis) {     cout << "updating : " <<  currentlife;      this->currentlife += millis;      setalpha(((double)currentlife)/((double)lifetime));      cout << " " << currentlife << endl; }  e.g. first current life: 0 second current life: 16 

i know if use

wake w = w.age(deltat) 

it wouldn't work because "w" copy of object. however, that's not problem here? game.getplayer() returns reference, playership&.

last time had similar problem, solved calling , returning references instead of classname. still doing wrong?

getwakes() needs return reference, , should return vector& opposed vector. i'm adding here make sure question marked answered.