Private Chat feature with the DM

[Aleslosh]

Is this a feature in RW? There are times when notes must be passed from the DM to the PC and vise versa. It would be great if this was included in the software. Add to this functionality the ability to keep the conversations as a running log would make this a very impressive aspect of the software.

[Gord]

Keeping that kind of note as a running log would indeed be useful. It's still going to be pretty obvious that notes are passed unless it could be done offline and logged as well though.

If nothing else, getting notes as something other than most of my players illegible scrawl, would make things easier.

[Mystic Lemur]

This would be nice, but only feasible if every player had their own device at the table. Too much clutter, and if they all have devices anyway, why not send you a text message or email?

[pyremius]

As Gord said, logging. A reasonably large subset of such notes would end up documented in Realm Works anyhow (specific pieces of treasure stolen, conversations overheard, etc.) that it's worth considering as a capability or plug-in.

[Alarian]

Most phones now days have this feature built in. Text Messaging. And while many people don't have tablets and computers to bring to the table most have a phone that's capable of texting.

[soulfly]

I would like the ability to select only certain players to receive a message from the DM to the PC. For example 3 out of 6 players made a successful perception check, I send them the message directly and the other three players have to learn it from the players instead of overhearing me.

[jerrycnh]

I would think that this would be outside Realm Works' purview, as most "real time" stuff would be the function of whatever RTT software you were integrating Realm Works with.

In any case, when my players have tablets/phones at the table, I just use Skype. ;) So a feature like that in Realm Works might be nice, but would ultimately be redundant.

Now what would be REALLY nice is a customized reveal to, say, show a snippet to Player 1 while still hiding it from Player 2. But that would probably require extensive rewriting of the code, given the way it's currently designed, and even I have to admit that the work would not be worth the reward, since it's fairly rare to need that kind of tweaking.

[davidp]

Now what would be REALLY nice is a customized reveal to, say, show a snippet to Player 1 while still hiding it from Player 2. But that would probably require extensive rewriting of the code, given the way it's currently designed, and even I have to admit that the work would not be worth the reward, since it's fairly rare to need that kind of tweaking.

As has been mentioned in other threads, we have the underlying support for this in place. It is a matter of coming up with the appropriate, simple user interface to make this happen. Coming up with simple things can be hard at times....

[Dark Lord Galen]

This is another case for why LAN support would be useful.....
I currently utilize an IM messenger within a LAN that does EXACTLY this. It allows me to send / Receive group IMs or send to one player as a private note. It documents all "notes" for the session allowing it to be saved as a txt file or HTML. I find it very useful for recordkeeping what was said. The hassle is consolidating that information into Herolab & Masterplan (I have "hopes" that RW will replace MP based on the promises of LAN support and integration with HL)
The interface works via IPs within my LAN.. seems it would not be a big leap to have RW operating in a similar fashion. either via a LAN or Bluetooth.... thus not requiring more / multiple things managing a game session. (ie your phone as some suggested) All of my players have a laptop w/ HL installed. I recognize not all utilize it that way. HOWEVER, with the paperless age upon us it is increasingly unlikely that most don't have a laptop or tablet anyway. for those that don't , utilizing a Bluetooth link would suffice for this application as well IF RW had the capability to capture all those IMs as txt or snipits?
The "goal" is to have one software (RW?) to consolidate all gaming information so the DM can streamline and manage the "papertrail" aspects of gameplay, NOT to add even more fractured pieces to further have to regurgitate information thru into a single source.
just my two CP

[Bidmaron]

RW is unique, and it should IMO focus on that toolset. There are plenty of other programs/phones that can do what this thread is asking for. It's like saying we want RW to send e-mails to our players so it can keep track of that content too. And what about making maps, shouldn't RW do that too?
No, let them focus on the tools that are its specialty. Once that is done (right!), then they can worry about VTT functions.

[zarlor]

I'd be interested in this as well and would argue that it is exactly what RealmWorks is there to handle. Not in the sense of doing things that a VTT program does, but, as was already mentioned, as a way of managing and logging information. Particularly once individual player reveal is included this would allow me, as a GM, to copy relevant notes out to appropriate content snippets. Having the log places things into a timing context as well, which is what the Journal and time-stamping of snippet reveals is all about. So I actually think this is very much an appropriate item for RealmWorks to handle.

So thanks to DavidP for letting us know it's in the works, but let me add a +1 for being interested in this myself, although admittedly not as a top priority.

[Bidmaron]

The snippet reveal is great and necessary. The conversation management is not. (IMO). There are tools that do it. Copy the chat log from one of these tools and paste it into RW just like you do with adventure PDFs. It's not core to RW.

[mirtos]

On the other hand, if when the individual player account becomes available you could have a snippet that the player could edit. I would find it useful.

I award players "roleplay XP" if they journal what they do in downtime. This would allow players to write up things only available for the DM and players. not so much a chat, but a player controlled snippet. (wit GM approval by having the GM create the snippets firce and deciding which players have edit rights on them).

[davidp]

On the other hand, if when the individual player account becomes available you could have a snippet that the player could edit. I would find it useful.

I award players "roleplay XP" if they journal what they do in downtime. This would allow players to write up things only available for the DM and players. not so much a chat, but a player controlled snippet. (wit GM approval by having the GM create the snippets firce and deciding which players have edit rights on them).

Long term, that will be coming. Shorter term but not with the first release of player edition, we will introduce journals that can be fully controlled by a player. Probably with the release of the player edition, we will support notes as in the GM edition. Notes are totally private to the user who creates them.

[mirtos]

thats perfect. Better than chat anyway. i asusme the GM can always see the "private" stuff? I assume the GM is always going to be a superuser, so to speak.

[davidp]

Notes are totally private. The GM cannot see them for their players. Journals would fulfill the requirement of being more public as they will allow revealing and such.

[EightBitz]

RW is unique, and it should IMO focus on that toolset. There are plenty of other programs/phones that can do what this thread is asking for. It's like saying we want RW to send e-mails to our players so it can keep track of that content too. And what about making maps, shouldn't RW do that too?
No, let them focus on the tools that are its specialty. Once that is done (right!), then they can worry about VTT functions.

+1 to this. :-)

(Sorry, guys, but too many good products have been ruined by growing beyond their scope.)

[mirtos]

I guess it depends what you're referring to EightBitz. If you mean chat - I agree. But if you mean having players be able to reveal to their DM/GM, then I think its definitely within the scope of RealmsWorks.

[EightBitz]

I meant I agree in general terms with Bidmaron's post. As far as specific feature requests, I think public vetting is a good tactic.

I do like the notes and journal ideas. I'd have to see the implementation before I can say anything more about them.

[Dark Lord Galen]

RW is unique, and it should IMO focus on that toolset. There are plenty of other programs/phones that can do what this thread is asking for. It's like saying we want RW to send e-mails to our players so it can keep track of that content too. And what about making maps, shouldn't RW do that too?
No, let them focus on the tools that are its specialty. Once that is done (right!), then they can worry about VTT functions.

Yes I agree, I don't need a map maker, dice roller, IM manager...... there are several other software titles that are better suited to do these things. IMO too many are trying to turn this into a VTT system.... IF we are WISHING, it would be nice to have a "one size fits all" but there are too many other items that should be on the top of the NEED list versus the WANT, versus the WISH.:rolleyes:

My only major disappointment is the lack of customized calendars (which to me is an ABSOLUTE need for Campaign management) at the point of release. (NOTE: this is in the works, though where in the order of importance is undetermined)

I do feel for Rob, Liz, and others as they try to determine the separations from the NEEDS, WANTS, & WISHES for the masses. Its as it has once been famously said " YOU CAN'T PLEASE ALL the PEOPLE ALL the TIME.":D;)

My 2CP

[Bidmaron]

Hey, I'm all for the player snippets and reveals. That is core to RW and it should (IMO) absolutely be a priority.

I'm not so wild about private player notes. The GM should be able to see all. If the player wants something private, then he can open Word or whatever and use that. I find it astonishing that a tool that goes to such great pains to let the GM carefully control what is exposed to his players cannot see the notes the player makes in RW. PLEASE revisit this decision.

[Rabulias]

I agree that GMs should have total control over and access to player notes if the notes are getting saved to the GM's realm and their cloud storage. I know text is relatively small, but a prolific (or malicious) player could write (or copy and paste) a lot of data.

Additionally, if players can eventually reveal the contents of their notes (but GMs have no control over the notes), you could get into some sticky areas: sharing copyrighted data, posting vulgar/obscene/hateful/disruptive content, etc.

If player notes are tied to the player's account and cloud storage, and merely linked to the realm (and the GM can remove such link), then I'm cool with that.

[mirtos]

I was thinking the same thing. I dont think there is anything the player should be able to enter that the GM shouldnt have access to see.

[Maidhc O Casain]

+1 for allowing player notes to be seen by the GM. From a player's perspective, I get it. But as mentioned above, if the player wants to keep notes private from the GM he can use Word or something else, and if he wants to "pass notes" to other players without GM knowledge that's fine too - but he needs to use text messages or e-mail, not RW.

IMO, the GM "owns" the realm, and pays for the space in the cloud, and is responsible for anything that's there. So the GM should have access to and control of whatever's there.

[davidp]

So with the recent comments, does this mean that if the player's user notes count towards cloud storage of the GM, then it is felt that the GM should have visibility and control (at the very least the ability to delete them) over the notes. And if the player's user notes don't count towards the storage, it is ok for the GM to not be able to see the user notes?

Or is the view that no matter whether it counts towards the GM's cloud storage the GM should be able to see the notes (without other control over them)?

[Parody]

I should have visibility and control over anything that goes into my database/cloud storage, including the ability to block such features if I choose. The first thing I thought when I read your earlier posts was "So...is my campaign going to host someone's porn stash?"

If it doesn't go into my database/storage, then I don't care. They could just as easily use Notepad to keep notes I can't see. Just make sure you're cleaning up loose ends if the player gets removed from the campaign, the campaign is deleted, etc.

[ibecker]

I should have visibility and control over anything that goes into my database/cloud storage, including the ability to block such features if I choose. The first thing I thought when I read your earlier posts was "So...is my campaign going to host someone's porn stash?"

If it doesn't go into my database/storage, then I don't care. They could just as easily use Notepad to keep notes I can't see. Just make sure you're cleaning up loose ends if the player gets removed from the campaign, the campaign is deleted, etc.

+1 to this, exactly.

[Cornelius]

I should have visibility and control over anything that goes into my database/cloud storage, including the ability to block such features if I choose. The first thing I thought when I read your earlier posts was "So...is my campaign going to host someone's porn stash?"

If it doesn't go into my database/storage, then I don't care. They could just as easily use Notepad to keep notes I can't see. Just make sure you're cleaning up loose ends if the player gets removed from the campaign, the campaign is deleted, etc.
+1 to that as well

[mirtos]

+1, but also, to some degree i care even if its not directly about my cloud storage. Its about the control and maintaing of a campaign/setting. coming froma both pen and paper, and play by post background, in the play by post, if you post anything in a playby post, even a secret message to yourself, the GM has full control over that. They are the superadmin of their campaign forums. Ina pen and paper, if someone is writing notes in a notebook, I ask someone ("are those character notes") and if they answer "yes", I have the right to read them. By the way, I'd be fine if player notes are put in the campaign/GM cloud storage. personally id like if they were.

Players leave campaigns, but their characters stay on as NPC's of the campaign. Basically the character is owned by the campaign, but the player obviously isnt. So if their notes are in character private journals, they are in essence information that the GM needs to have.

[Bidmaron]

I care even if it's not on my cloud amount. If it's on my hard drive, then I should have visibility of it. If you are instead visualizing something where the player notes are stored on their own cloud space and never touches my system, then I am less concerned, but, as someone else observed, if he can later reveal it and it's linked to me somehow, then absolutely not! (or at least let us disable the feature so they can't make invisible notes).

So, the only way i support private player notes is if they are not tied to my realm in any fashion, which seems to me to bypass why you'd want them in the first place. What someone said about a porn stash is a problem. i had a friend who let someone use his computer, and the guy put some kiddy porn on there in a passworded folder. When that friend got caught, they checked out my friend's computer too. You can imagine his embarrassment when they found the files (no issue ultimately, but you never know....)

[Maidhc O Casain]

If it's going into my cloud storage or being tied to my Realm (whether it's counting against my space or not) then I should be able to see it, edit it or delete it because I'm ultimately responsible for it. It's a shame that we have to be careful about this, but the reality is that we do.

As has been said, it's not that I have to know what my players are saying/talking about etc. - I don't stress over that in any way.