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.

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."

My 2CP