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Kicking/keeping players out of game outside of sessions?

Is there a way to kick players from a session, or to keep players out of a game when there is no ongoing session? I keep having players decide they want to be in the game while we're not in a session, and I'm afraid if it becomes a habit they may eventually spoil something I'm working on by being online at the wrong time.
1560574092
Andrew R.
Pro
Sheet Author
You should create a “splash page” for your game and leave the player ribbon there between sessions. Then players can start the game any time they like to update their Journals but they can’t see anything that isn’t on the splash page.
1560577943
Pat S.
Forum Champion
Sheet Author
And use talk to myself function so they will not see anything you are working on that might go to text.
1560591407

Edited 1560591644
You could talk to your players and tell them why it is a problem and why it annoys you. For the technical side the given suggestions could be a solution, but: There are use-cases in which you have to have the player-ribbon on the page you are working on. There are use-cases (i.e. Api) where talk to myself does not work. So ultimatly I would tell my players to just leave while I work, or else I won't work. Ignoring this your players are disrespectful to you, which I would not allow in my games. Having said that: There is a bug (or feature?) which keeps players showing as logged in although they don't have the site open. This can happen sometimes if they close the browser without logging out properly. So maybe your players ain't aware of them still being logged in. Edit: I forgot the obvious question: Why do they want to be in the game in between sessions?
Well, one player didn't give a reason as to WHY she wanted to be in between sessions. She had just let me know when I got on that she was in and had been most of the time she'd been on her comp, having it run in the background while she was playing games. The other player I've had issues with that's been doing it tends to just leave games and tabs in general open on his computer when he wanders off or gets distracted. That's the why for the players I've had problems with so far on this, that I know. And the problem isn't always seeing the map either. Sometimes it's things like a player goofing off and adding spells that don't exist to their character sheet so they can use it to distract everyone when we start and such. They're very honest and don't mess with their currency or gear, but it's getting old having spell slots stuck on the character sheet that aren't any spell because I asked them to delete it but the spell node thing won't go away. I also realize that I forgot to put the WHY for something else as well. I was partially asking about if there was a way to kick because the group of players I have for the current campaign I am working on is a bit larger and all planning to be on at once than I'm used to working with. I've also played with several of the players before, and know that at least two of the players have ADD and tend to completely send the rest of the group on to a different topic than what we're working on currently, or they'll often do stuff like play with the drawing/arrow tools and stuff. I was hoping there was a way to kick so I could send them to regroup their attention, as that usually works when we're in other games and they start sidetracking everything constantly. Otherwise is there a way to maybe turn off the drawing and arrow tools instead for players? I'd much prefer that if there is but I haven't found one yet.
1560617976
Pat S.
Forum Champion
Sheet Author
There are API scripts that could help you but that is a pro subscription feature.
Ah : / Unfortunately I don't have any money for monthly subscriptions to anything right now. I guess best thing for at least preventing the messing with character sheets might be just taking away the editing permission between sessions then? Or is there a better way to do it?
1560620208

Edited 1560621987
Pat S.
Forum Champion
Sheet Author
Back before all the various features were created and added, the suggestions that got floated around was duplicate the sheets for your eyes only along with talking to your players but you indicated you talked already so following might work for you: Create a splash page where the players can goof off if they want to. Frame out their drawing area if you want to get fancy but just give them a place they can doodle and such so they don't damage any maps or such you are working on. Think of it as a coloring paper that some restaurants put out for little kids. Remove their access to edit sheets but give them a handout so they can jot down notes. Use the talk to myself function when possible. This will help keep leaked descriptions or npc interactions from popping up in the chat. Those three suggestions should help you with some of your problems.
I'll try that, thanks!
My apologies if I am repeating something someone else already wrote (I didn't see it) but if you have to have the player ribbon on the sheet you are working on you can still move the players logged in onto a splash or intro page by themselves.
How does that work Erich S?
1560700256
Pat S.
Forum Champion
Sheet Author
Erich S. said: My apologies if I am repeating something someone else already wrote (I didn't see it) but if you have to have the player ribbon on the sheet you are working on you can still move the players logged in onto a splash or intro page by themselves. Chris S. said: How does that work Erich S? It is usually referred to as " Splitting the party ". This done by dragging the player's avatar on to a separate page. The player has to be shown in the game room to enable the GM to do this.
Chris S. said: How does that work Erich S? While the player is logged in, you grab their icon (click on it and hold the button down) and drag it to the sheet you want them on. Not the best example: no players logged in.&nbsp; Went and checked the WIKI and there is a better explanation there:&nbsp; <a href="https://wiki.roll20.net/Page_Toolbar" rel="nofollow">https://wiki.roll20.net/Page_Toolbar</a> <a href="https://wiki.roll20.net/images/5/5b/PageToolbar_SplitThePartyExample.gif" rel="nofollow">https://wiki.roll20.net/images/5/5b/PageToolbar_SplitThePartyExample.gif</a>
Besides all the good suggestions here (especially the splash page), I sometimes create a "GM copy" of my games so that I can use the space for testing things like sheets, spells and such without worrying about trashing up our "live" game space. It's easy to create and delete these temporary game spaces for yourself. If you remember to drop the players onto the splash page at the end of sessions, they can still get into their character sheets or have fun chatting together. This reflects investment in your game and is worth cultivating, because it can enhance your game in many ways. The drop-in camaraderie alone can become a nice boon for your game. There are ways to avoid spoilers with a better understanding of Roll20's technical tools. At the end of the day, I'd be welcoming the offtime drop-ins with open arms. Your group of invested, excited players is far better than having to hunt for a new ones after you've been ghosted.
Thanks for the tips! I didn't know you could drag specific people onto a different page. And I'm not concerned about these players ghosting c: They're all people I either know IRL, or I play other online games with. However, I did take the advice of the splash page and stuff, and will be using it as needed.