Help on the GM Menu
All GMs in a game have access to the game's GM Menu, though there are certain links that only the Game Owner may use. GMs who are not the owner of the game may not edit other GMs, or their characters, or change the game's details, such as its Name, Category, or Flags; they may not create new GMs, change the access of the Game Owner, or delete the game.
Edit Players
Using the Edit Players link, a GM can modify settings and information for those players who are in their game. There are several ways to edit this information:
- Add (Wizard): Using the Add Wizard the GM can add new players to the game. On this screen, they can either choose an existing character from the game, or type a new character's name in the box labelled "If you wish to assign a new character:". Then, choose either "Continue Adding - RtJ" to get a list of those players who have requested access to your game, or fill in a user's Account Name (or portion of an Account Name) and click "Continue Adding - Search".
- Add (One Stop): This is the older version of the Add a Player screen, and can be very slow to load as it provides a list of all RPoL users. Choose a user, set their Game Access, then enter at least one Character Name for them. When done, click "Update User".
- Edit (Wizard): Select a user from the drop-down box provided to use this option. This Edit Wizard allows the GM to quickly change a player's access to their game.
Access | Details |
Player |
This is the normal access for players in the game. Players can reply to posts in groups they're in, can send and receive Private Messages, and can use the Dice Roller. They cannot start new threads, they can only see Private Lines addressed directly to them, and they can only edit or delete their own posts. |
Moderator |
Moderators can edit other players' posts; otherwise their permissions are the same as those for a player. |
GM |
GMs can edit or delete others' posts (except for those of other GMs) and can start new threads. They can see all threads and Private Messages in the game, regardless of what groups they are assigned to. They can add or remove players from the game. The only players they cannot affect are other GMs. |
NPC |
This is the normal access for the GM's characters in the game. NPCs can reply to posts in groups they're in, can send and receive Private Messages, and can use the Dice Roller. They may be used start new threads so long as they are controlled by a GM. |
- Edit (One Stop): With a player selected from the drop-down list above, choose this option to edit their game access, characters, and/or groups all at once.
- User Details: This area shows the player's RPoL Account Name and their Game Access level. Note that Game Access level, set here, determines the player's actual access to the game. (See access levels, above, for details).
- Main Character Details: Here, the GM can see (or set) the name of the player's primary character in the game. Groups are entered as text, to set the character to groups 0, 4, and A, set this field to 04A. The player's primary character will always have their Displayed Access match their Game Access.
- Other Character Details: Here, the GM can add or edit the player's other characters. "Displayed Access" is the access level that will show on that character's posts. Note that this has nothing to do with "Game Access", and no matter what "Displayed Access" says, Game Access is what determines a player's access to the game.
When finished, be sure to click the "Update User" button to set the new details.
- Move (Existing): With a player selected in the drop-down list above, this will move all that player's characters to an existing player in the game. This will remove the original player of those characters from the game.
- Move (New, via RTJ): With a player selected in the drop-down list above, this will move all that player's characters to a new player, giving the GM a list of those who've requested access to the game. This will remove the original player of those characters from the game.
- Move (New, Search): With a player selected in the drop-down list above, this will move all that player's characters to a new player, found using the Search option. This will remove the original player of those characters from the game.
- Remove User: This will remove a user, and all their characters, from the game. To avoid losing the characters, move them to another player first.
- Re-Order: This allows the GM to re-order the characters a player controls, if they control more than one. This will allow their primary character to be changed, or the entire list of characters to be re-ordered as the GM desires.
Edit Characters
In the Edit Characters menu, game GMs can edit the details on the characters in their game. Menu options include:
- Add (Wizard): Using the Add Wizard, a GM can add a new character to their game, or move an existing character to a new player. They are given the choice to add the new character either to their game. Using the "Continue Adding - RtJ" button will only display players who have requested access to the game, while "Continue Adding - Search" will use the contents of the box to its left to locate RPoL users.
- Add (One Stop): This old One-Stop screen will be slow to load as it lists all RPoL users for the GM. It allows the GM to set the new player's access to the game, as well as to assign multiple characters to them in one go. Be sure to click "Update User" when done.
- Add (Existing): This link will give the GM a list of those players who already are in the game, and allow the GM to select one and add one or more characters for them. This is a good option to use if the GM wishes to change that player's Primary Character, as it allows this to be set, as well as each character's Groups and Displayed Access to be set. Note that "Access" on this menu is only the displayed access for that character, and does not affect the player's access to the game. To set the player's access, use the Edit Players menu.
- Edit: By selecting a character from the drop-down list and choosing "Edit" the GM can change that character's displayed Access and their groups. Again, displayed Access does not affect the player's actual Game Access.
- Delete: By selecting a character from the drop-down list and clicking "Delete" the GM can remove the character from the game. If it is the only character owned by a player, that player will also be removed from the game.
- Rename (Keep): Using the "Rename (Keep)" option, the GM can edit an existing character's name while keeping their Portrait, Character Sheet, and Post Count the same.
- Rename (New): With the "Rename (New)" option, the GM can change a character's name. This will remove the character's Portrait, Character Sheet, and Post Count.
- Move (Existing): This option allows the GM to move a character to another player who is already in the game. Note that if the former owner of the character only owned that character, it will remove that player from the game.
- Move (New, via RTJ): If the GM selects a character in the drop-down list then chooses "Move (New, Via RTJ)", the GM will be provided with a list of those players who've requested access to their game to whom they can move the character. Note that if the character was the only one controlled by the former player, that player will be removed from the game.
- Move (New, Search): Using this option, the GM can move a character to a new player, and will be given the option to search RPoL for the proper Account Name. Note that if the character was the only one controlled by the former player, that player will be removed from the game.
- Re-Order: This will allow the GM to re-order the characters controlled by the player of the character selected. This lets the GM set a new primary character for the player, or re-order their entire list of characters.
Edit Character Sheets
The "Edit Character Sheets" option presents the GM with several choices. At the top of the screen, they will see a drop-down list of all the characters in their game. By selecting one and clicking "Edit Character Sheet", the GM will be taken to a screen to edit that character's sheet.
Below that is an area marked, "Alternatively, select and upload your character sheet(s) here:". There will be a list below this of all characters in the game, each with a box for a file location, a "Browse" button, and either the label "N.A." or a link, "D/L".
To upload multiple character sheets at once, use the Browse button to navigate to the character sheet stored locally on your computer. This character sheet should be saved in text format, and not contain unusual characters or tabs. When the characters you wish to assign sheets each have one assigned, click the "Mass Character Sheet Upload" button below this list. Some characters may be left blank without affecting them.
Checking the box for "Fixed width" will mean that the sheet will be rendered in a monospaced font (so that each typed character takes up the same amount of space on screen) and that line feeds must be entered manually into the sheet (by hitting the Enter key on the keyboard). Unchecking this box will mean the sheet will be "variable width", and it will automatically word wrap. Checking the box for "User Editable" will allow the player of that character to edit its sheet.
The "N.A." indicates that the character on that line currently has no Character Sheet. A "D/L" link indicates the character has a Sheet, and the link will allow the GM to download it.
Edit Character Descriptions
This link allows the GM to edit a character's Description, or to add one if the character doesn't yet have one.
Edit Character Bios
This link allows the GM to edit a character's Biography lines, or to add them if the character doesn't yet have a Bio. Note that the Bio lines are limited to thirty characters in length and may not contain ampersands or quotation marks.
Edit Character Portraits
Here the GM can add, remove, or change the Portrait assigned to a character in the game.
Edit Groups
Using the Edit Groups area, a GM can change the assigned group for one, some, or all of the characters in their game at once. Opening this link will show a list of characters in the game with check boxes for each for every available group. Checking the box for a specific group for a character will assign that character to that group. Note that Group Z is set off from other groups -- characters assigned to Group Z can only belong to Group Z, and cannot post to it, only read it.
Finally, regardless of their Group assignments, GMs can always read and post to all Groups within the game.
Edit Banned & Lurkers
Using this link a GM can edit two groups of special users: those Banned from their game and those who are Lurking within the game.
Banned Users are those from whom the GM does not want any contact. Banned users cannot send Requests for Access, nor can they read the game.
Lurkers are users who do not play the game but have special access to read the game. Like regular players, they must be assigned to Groups in order to read them.
Check & Fix Access
Sometimes something simply goes awry, and a player ends up with two characters of the same name or some other problem -- if other methods have failed to remove this problem, try running the "Check & Fix Access" script here before contacting the site Admin or site Moderators.
Update the game map
This link allows the Game Owner to upload maps for the game. Each map must be 1 MB (1024 KB) or less in size, and should be in an accepted image format (GIF, JPG, or PNG). Also here, the GM can clear an existing game map. Note that if the new game map has the same file name as the old one, RPoL may be displaying the new map, but a browser may be showing the old one from its cache. If you've uploaded a new game map, but it doesn't appear to have changed, be sure to force a refresh on your browser (often, control+reload or shift+reload). Once a Game Map has been assigned, a link to it will show up when a player or visitor clicks the "Game Info" link for the game.
GMs will note there are 32 maps that can be uploaded. The "Main Game Map" everyone can see, however the "Map for Group X" maps can only be seen by the players or lurkers who have access to the relevant group.
Edit the game introduction
Here the Game Owner can edit, or create, the Game Introduction. Useful information for a Game Introduction includes a story background and notes on what system the GM will be using for the game. RuBB Code may be used in this introduction. Note that games may not be advertised in the Wanted - Players forum until it has a Game Introduction.
Specify the game website link
If the GM has a webpage dedicated to the game, they can specify its URL here. If a website has been specified, a link to it will appear whenever a player or visitor clicks on the game's "Game Info" link.
Edit the external file links
Links to multiple external files can be set up here. Simply enter a link in the "Link" box, then a Description of the link in the "Description" area. When done, click the "Update File Links" button. Players and visitors will be able to access these links by clicking on the game's "Game Info" link then choosing "File Links". This is a handy way to link to several resources for the game's players.
Edit Game Details
The Game Owner can set a variety of information about the game using the "Edit Game Details" link.
- Game Name: The Game Owner can change the Game Name here. Game Names are limited to sixty characters in length, and cannot contain formatting code or special characters.
- Game Owner: Here, the current Game Owner can make any other GM in the game the new Game Owner. Once this is done, the former owner will no longer be able to use this menu (as they will become a co-GM only). Only other GMs can become the Game Owner (so to create a new Game Owner, first make the player a GM using "Edit Players" then use this area to make them the Game Owner).
- Classification: The game's Classification can be set here. To see explanations of the various Classifications, use the Main Menu "Game Types on Offer" link; clicking a game Classification there will display a small blurb about that genre.
- Requesting New Players: This flag is either "On" or "Off". When the flag is on, a small red asterisk (*) will display on the Main Menu next to the Game Name, indicating that the game is officially requesting new players. Only games with this flag turned on may use the Wanted - Players forum to advertise.
- Game Rating: Games may be rated as "General", "Mature", or "Adult".
- Rating a game as General indicates that the content of that game is suitable to all ages. "General" rated games must not contain any material to which children and teens should not be exposed.
- Mature rated games are games which, while not adult, might possibly be considered offensive to some users; in the Main Menu they will display with a small M next to them.
- Adult games are games which contain graphic material (whether sex, drug use, or violence) which is not suitable to younger audiences; they will display in the Main Menu with a small green A next to them.
Note that all games on RPoL must conform to our content policies (consisting of the RPoL Mature Games Policy and the Adult Games Policy). All GMs of Adult and Mature games are expected to pro-actively enforce these policies.
- Sole Ownership: This flag is either "On" or "Off". If it is on, it labels the game as the sole intellectual property of the game's Owner. This means that if the GM deletes the game, no co-GM will be able to resurrect it; it also means that should the GM abandon the game, no other GM will be permitted to take over the game. Players will be informed in the Game Info area of a game if it is considered to be the GM's property.
Be sure to click "Update Game" when making changes to the Game Details.
Remove unwanted threads
Here a GM can prune off old or unwanted threads from a game. This is done using an interface divided into two parts.
At the top of the "Remove unwanted threads" area, are three radio buttons allowing the GM to specify that they wish to "Leave" a specified number of threads (removing all others), that they wish to remove all threads older than a specified number of months, or that they wish to remove all threads from a specific group. Note that only one of these options may be selected.
The lower half of this area gives the GM three extra options, all on by default. "Preserve Public threads" will exempt any thread in Group Public from the deletion; "Preserve Archived threads" will exclude any thread which has been archived by a GM from the deletions; and "Preserve Notices" will exempt any thread which has been marked as a Notice from the deletion.
Delete this game
The Game Owner may use this area to remove the game from play. GMs have two options here:
- Checking "Don't allow anyone but me to undelete this game", will prevent co-GMs from resurrecting the game.
- Checking "I have given all my players due notice", indicates that the GM has informed their players they will be deleting the game at least a while before deleting it (on RPoL, one week's notice is customary). This box must be checked before the game will be deleted.
Deleted games will still be visible for a while after they have been removed, and can usually be resurrected by a game GM during that time. RPoL will eventually permanently remove the game, however, and once that is done it is unrecoverable.
Last updated: 04:29, Sun 14 Aug 2016.
Direct link: http://rpol.net/help/?t=help&page=gmmenu