Keep guest rooms moderated and restore owner moderation

app/Http/Controllers/RoomJoinController.php

@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ class RoomJoinController extends Controller
             $room !== null
             && ! $room->isClosed()
             && $existingPlayer instanceof Player
-            && $existingPlayer->inactive_at === null
         ) {
             return to_route('room.show', $room);
         }

app/Http/Middleware/EnsureRoomParticipant.php

@@ -113,12 +113,6 @@ class EnsureRoomParticipant
             ]);
         }
 
-        if ($player->inactive_at !== null) {
-            return to_route('room.join', [
-                'join_code' => $room->join_code,
-            ]);
-        }
-
         $player->markAsSeen();
         $request->attributes->set('currentPlayer', $player);
 

app/Http/Requests/KickRoomPlayerRequest.php

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class KickRoomPlayerRequest extends FormRequest
             return null;
         }
 
-        return $room->activePlayers()->find((int) $playerId);
+        return $room->players()->find((int) $playerId);
     }
 
     /**

app/Http/Resources/DashboardRoomResource.php

@@ -18,9 +18,8 @@ class DashboardRoomResource extends JsonResource
             'join_code' => $this->resource->join_code,
             'current_round' => $this->resource->current_round,
             'players_count' => $this->resource->players_count,
-            'active_player_count' => $this->resource->active_player_count,
+            'players' => $this->resource->relationLoaded('players')
-            'players' => $this->resource->relationLoaded('activePlayers')
+                ? $this->resource->players
-                ? $this->resource->activePlayers
                     ->map(fn ($player): array => [
                         'id' => $player->id,
                         'name' => $player->name,

app/Jobs/MarkInactivePlayers.php

@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-<?php
-
-namespace App\Jobs;
-
-use App\Models\Player;
-use Illuminate\Contracts\Queue\ShouldQueue;
-use Illuminate\Foundation\Queue\Queueable;
-
-class MarkInactivePlayers implements ShouldQueue
-{
-    use Queueable;
-
-    public function handle(): void
-    {
-        Player::query()
-            ->whereNull('inactive_at')
-            ->where('last_seen_at', '<=', now()->subHour())
-            ->update([
-                'inactive_at' => now(),
-            ]);
-    }
-}

app/Jobs/RemoveAbsentPlayers.php

@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Jobs;
+
+use App\Enums\RoomStateChange;
+use App\Events\RoomStateChanged;
+use App\Models\Player;
+use App\Models\Room;
+use App\Services\Rooms\RoomRealtimeStateService;
+use Illuminate\Contracts\Queue\ShouldQueue;
+use Illuminate\Foundation\Queue\Queueable;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
+
+class RemoveAbsentPlayers implements ShouldQueue
+{
+    use Queueable;
+
+    public function handle(RoomRealtimeStateService $realtimeState): void
+    {
+        $cutoff = now()->subHour();
+
+        Player::query()
+            ->where(function ($query) use ($cutoff): void {
+                $query->where('last_seen_at', '<=', $cutoff)
+                    ->orWhere(function ($query) use ($cutoff): void {
+                        $query->whereNull('last_seen_at')
+                            ->where('created_at', '<=', $cutoff);
+                    });
+            })
+            ->select(['id', 'room_id'])
+            ->chunkById(100, function ($players) use ($cutoff, $realtimeState): void {
+                foreach ($players as $player) {
+                    $result = DB::transaction(function () use ($player, $cutoff): ?array {
+                        $room = Room::withTrashed()
+                            ->lockForUpdate()
+                            ->find($player->room_id);
+
+                        if ($room === null) {
+                            return null;
+                        }
+
+                        $currentPlayer = $room->players()
+                            ->lockForUpdate()
+                            ->find($player->id);
+
+                        if ($currentPlayer === null) {
+                            return null;
+                        }
+
+                        $lastActivity = $currentPlayer->last_seen_at ?? $currentPlayer->created_at;
+
+                        if ($lastActivity === null || $lastActivity->greaterThan($cutoff)) {
+                            return null;
+                        }
+
+                        $currentPlayer->delete();
+                        $roomDeleted = false;
+
+                        if ($room->owner_id === null && ! $room->trashed()) {
+                            if (! $room->players()->exists()) {
+                                $room->delete();
+                                $roomDeleted = true;
+                            } elseif (! $room->players()->where('is_moderator', true)->exists()) {
+                                $successor = $room->players()
+                                    ->where(function ($query) use ($cutoff): void {
+                                        $query->where('last_seen_at', '>', $cutoff)
+                                            ->orWhere(function ($query) use ($cutoff): void {
+                                                $query->whereNull('last_seen_at')
+                                                    ->where('created_at', '>', $cutoff);
+                                            });
+                                    })
+                                    ->orderBy('created_at')
+                                    ->orderBy('id')
+                                    ->first();
+
+                                $successor?->update(['is_moderator' => true]);
+                            }
+                        }
+
+                        $room->update([
+                            'state_version' => $room->state_version + 1,
+                        ]);
+
+                        return [$room, $roomDeleted];
+                    });
+
+                    if ($result === null) {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    [$room, $roomDeleted] = $result;
+
+                    if ($roomDeleted) {
+                        RoomStateChanged::dispatch(
+                            $room->id,
+                            $room->state_version,
+                            RoomStateChange::RoomDeleted,
+                        );
+                    } elseif (! $room->trashed()) {
+                        RoomStateChanged::dispatch(
+                            $room->id,
+                            $room->state_version,
+                            RoomStateChange::PlayerKicked,
+                            $realtimeState->for($room),
+                            $player->id,
+                        );
+                    }
+                }
+            });
+    }
+}

app/Models/Player.php

@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 
 namespace App\Models;
 
-use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Builder;
 use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model;
 use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Relations\BelongsTo;
 use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Relations\HasMany;
@@ -16,7 +15,6 @@ use Illuminate\Support\Carbon;
  * @property string $name
  * @property bool $is_moderator
  * @property Carbon|null $last_seen_at
- * @property Carbon|null $inactive_at
  * @property Carbon|null $created_at
  * @property Carbon|null $updated_at
  * @property-read Room $room
@@ -30,7 +28,6 @@ class Player extends Model
         'name',
         'is_moderator',
         'last_seen_at',
-        'inactive_at',
     ];
 
     protected function casts(): array
@@ -38,7 +35,6 @@ class Player extends Model
         return [
             'is_moderator' => 'boolean',
             'last_seen_at' => 'datetime',
-            'inactive_at' => 'datetime',
         ];
     }
 
@@ -85,14 +81,4 @@ class Player extends Model
             'last_seen_at' => now(),
         ]);
     }
-
-    /**
-     * @param  Builder<Player>  $query
-     * @return Builder<Player>
-     */
-    public function scopeActive(Builder $query): Builder
-    {
-        return $query->whereNull('inactive_at');
-
-    }
 }

app/Models/Room.php

@@ -93,12 +93,6 @@ class Room extends Model
 
     }
 
-    /** @return HasMany<Player, $this> */
-    public function activePlayers(): HasMany
-    {
-        return $this->hasMany(Player::class)->whereNull('inactive_at');
-    }
-
     /** @return BelongsTo<User, $this> */
     public function owner(): BelongsTo
     {

app/Services/Rooms/DashboardRoomService.php

@@ -16,13 +16,12 @@ class DashboardRoomService
         $ownedRooms = $user
             ->ownedRooms()
             ->with([
-                'activePlayers' => fn ($query) => $query
+                'players' => fn ($query) => $query
                     ->select(['id', 'room_id', 'user_id', 'name', 'is_moderator', 'created_at'])
                     ->orderByDesc('is_moderator')
                     ->orderBy('created_at'),
             ])
             ->withCount('players')
-            ->withCount(['activePlayers as active_player_count'])
             ->orderByRaw('closed_at IS NOT NULL')
             ->orderByDesc('last_activity_at')
             ->get();
@@ -30,7 +29,6 @@ class DashboardRoomService
         $favoriteRooms = $user
             ->favoriteRooms()
             ->withCount('players')
-            ->withCount(['activePlayers as active_player_count'])
             ->orderByRaw('closed_at IS NOT NULL')
             ->orderByDesc('last_activity_at')
             ->get();

app/Services/Rooms/RoomPageService.php

@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ class RoomPageService
 
         $room->load([
             'players' => fn ($query) => $query
-                ->active()
                 ->select(['id', 'room_id', 'user_id', 'name', 'is_moderator', 'created_at'])
                 ->orderByDesc('is_moderator')
                 ->orderBy('created_at'),

app/Services/Rooms/RoomParticipationService.php

@@ -69,18 +69,19 @@ class RoomParticipationService
                 $user,
                 $sessionPlayerIds[$room->id] ?? null,
             );
+            $shouldModerate = $this->shouldModerate($room, $user);
 
             if ($player === null) {
                 $player = $room->players()->create([
                     'user_id' => $user?->id,
                     'name' => $data['player_name'],
-                    'is_moderator' => false,
+                    'is_moderator' => $shouldModerate,
                     'last_seen_at' => now(),
                 ]);
             } else {
                 $player->update([
                     'last_seen_at' => now(),
-                    'inactive_at' => null,
+                    'is_moderator' => $player->is_moderator || $shouldModerate,
                 ]);
             }
 
@@ -124,6 +125,7 @@ class RoomParticipationService
                 $user,
                 $sessionPlayerId,
             );
+            $shouldModerate = $this->shouldModerate($lockedRoom, $user);
 
             $nameIsTaken = $lockedRoom->players()
                 ->where('name', $playerName)
@@ -145,21 +147,19 @@ class RoomParticipationService
                 $player = $lockedRoom->players()->create([
                     'user_id' => $user?->id,
                     'name' => $playerName,
-                    'is_moderator' => false,
+                    'is_moderator' => $shouldModerate,
                     'last_seen_at' => now(),
                 ]);
                 $change = RoomStateChange::PlayerJoined;
             } else {
-                if ($player->inactive_at !== null) {
+                if ($player->name !== $playerName || ($shouldModerate && ! $player->is_moderator)) {
-                    $change = RoomStateChange::PlayerJoined;
-                } elseif ($player->name !== $playerName) {
                     $change = RoomStateChange::PlayerUpdated;
                 }
 
                 $updates = [
                     'name' => $playerName,
                     'last_seen_at' => now(),
-                    'inactive_at' => null,
+                    'is_moderator' => $player->is_moderator || $shouldModerate,
                 ];
 
                 if (
@@ -200,6 +200,16 @@ class RoomParticipationService
         return $player;
     }
 
+    private function shouldModerate(Room $room, ?User $user): bool
+    {
+        if ($user !== null && $room->owner_id === $user->id) {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        return $room->owner_id === null
+            && ! $room->players()->where('is_moderator', true)->exists();
+    }
+
     private function findExistingEmbeddedPlayer(
         Room $room,
         ?User $user,
@@ -222,7 +232,10 @@ class RoomParticipationService
                 ->lockForUpdate()
                 ->first();
 
-            if ($sessionPlayer !== null) {
+            if (
+                $sessionPlayer !== null
+                && ($user === null || $sessionPlayer->user_id === null || $sessionPlayer->user_id === $user->id)
+            ) {
                 return $sessionPlayer;
             }
         }
@@ -282,14 +295,14 @@ class RoomParticipationService
         ?User $user,
         ?Player $currentPlayer,
     ): void {
-        $stateVersion = DB::transaction(function () use ($room, $player, $user, $currentPlayer): ?int {
+        $stateVersion = DB::transaction(function () use ($room, $player, $user, $currentPlayer): int {
             $lockedRoom = Room::query()
                 ->lockForUpdate()
                 ->findOrFail($room->id);
 
             $lockedCurrentPlayer = $currentPlayer === null
                 ? null
-                : $lockedRoom->activePlayers()
+                : $lockedRoom->players()
                     ->lockForUpdate()
                     ->find($currentPlayer->id);
             $isOwner = $user !== null && $lockedRoom->owner_id === $user->id;
@@ -312,13 +325,7 @@ class RoomParticipationService
                 403,
             );
 
-            if ($lockedPlayer->inactive_at !== null) {
+            $lockedPlayer->delete();
-                return null;
-            }
-
-            $lockedPlayer->update([
-                'inactive_at' => now(),
-            ]);
             $lockedRoom->update([
                 'last_activity_at' => now(),
                 'state_version' => $lockedRoom->state_version + 1,
@@ -327,10 +334,6 @@ class RoomParticipationService
             return $lockedRoom->state_version;
         });
 
-        if ($stateVersion === null) {
-            return;
-        }
-
         RoomStateChanged::dispatch(
             $room->id,
             $stateVersion,

app/Services/Rooms/RoomRealtimeStateService.php

@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ class RoomRealtimeStateService
         $room->refresh();
         $room->load([
             'players' => fn ($query) => $query
-                ->active()
                 ->select(['id', 'room_id', 'user_id', 'name', 'is_moderator', 'created_at'])
                 ->orderByDesc('is_moderator')
                 ->orderBy('created_at'),

database/migrations/2026_09_24_123048_remove_previously_inactive_players.php

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+<?php
+
+use Illuminate\Database\Migrations\Migration;
+use Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schema;
+
+return new class extends Migration
+{
+    /**
+     * Run the migrations.
+     */
+    public function up(): void
+    {
+        $cutoff = now()->subHour();
+
+        DB::table('players')
+            ->where(function ($query) use ($cutoff): void {
+                $query->whereNotNull('inactive_at')
+                    ->orWhere('last_seen_at', '<=', $cutoff)
+                    ->orWhere(function ($query) use ($cutoff): void {
+                        $query->whereNull('last_seen_at')
+                            ->where('created_at', '<=', $cutoff);
+                    });
+            })
+            ->delete();
+
+        Schema::table('players', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+            $table->dropColumn('inactive_at');
+        });
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Reverse the migrations.
+     */
+    public function down(): void
+    {
+        Schema::table('players', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+            $table->timestamp('inactive_at')->nullable()->after('last_seen_at');
+        });
+    }
+};

database/migrations/2026_09_24_125529_reconcile_guest_rooms_after_player_cleanup.php

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+<?php
+
+use Illuminate\Database\Migrations\Migration;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
+
+return new class extends Migration
+{
+    /**
+     * Run the migrations.
+     */
+    public function up(): void
+    {
+        DB::table('rooms')
+            ->whereNull('owner_id')
+            ->whereNull('deleted_at')
+            ->whereNotIn('id', DB::table('players')->select('room_id'))
+            ->update(['deleted_at' => now()]);
+
+        DB::table('rooms')
+            ->whereNull('owner_id')
+            ->whereNull('deleted_at')
+            ->whereNotIn('id', DB::table('players')->where('is_moderator', true)->select('room_id'))
+            ->select('id')
+            ->chunkById(100, function ($rooms): void {
+                foreach ($rooms as $room) {
+                    $playerId = DB::table('players')
+                        ->where('room_id', $room->id)
+                        ->orderBy('created_at')
+                        ->orderBy('id')
+                        ->value('id');
+
+                    if ($playerId !== null) {
+                        DB::table('players')
+                            ->where('id', $playerId)
+                            ->update(['is_moderator' => true]);
+                    }
+                }
+            });
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Reverse the migrations.
+     */
+    public function down(): void
+    {
+        // Deleted rooms and former moderator assignments cannot be reconstructed.
+    }
+};

resources/js/components/dashboard/DashboardRoomCard.vue

@@ -47,8 +47,7 @@ function formatDate(value: string | null): string {
         <div class="mt-5 grid grid-cols-2 gap-3 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
             <span class="inline-flex items-center gap-2">
                 <Users class="size-4" />
-                {{ room.players_count }} Spieler /
+                {{ room.players_count }} Spieler
-                {{ room.active_player_count }} aktiv
             </span>
             <span>Runde {{ room.current_round }}</span>
             <span class="col-span-2 inline-flex items-center gap-2">

resources/js/composables/useRoomRealtime.ts

@@ -70,6 +70,17 @@ export function useRoomRealtime(
             ...payload.state,
         };
 
+        const currentRoomPlayer = room.value.players.find(
+            (player) => player.id === currentPlayer.value.id,
+        );
+
+        if (currentRoomPlayer !== undefined) {
+            currentPlayer.value = {
+                ...currentPlayer.value,
+                is_moderator: currentRoomPlayer.is_moderator,
+            };
+        }
+
         if (
             payload.change === 'votes_reset' ||
             payload.change === 'next_round'

resources/js/pages/auth/Login.vue

@@ -85,11 +85,7 @@ defineProps<{
 
             <div class="flex items-center justify-between">
                 <Label for="remember" class="flex items-center space-x-3">
-                    <Checkbox
+                    <Checkbox id="remember" name="remember" :tabindex="3" />
-                        id="remember"
-                        name="remember"
-                        :tabindex="3"
-                    />
                     <span>Remember me</span>
                 </Label>
             </div>

resources/js/types/dashboard.ts

@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ export type DashboardRoom = {
     join_code: string;
     current_round: number;
     players_count: number;
-    active_player_count: number;
     players: DashboardRoomPlayer[];
     last_activity_at: string | null;
     closed_at: string | null;

routes/console.php

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <?php
 
 use App\Jobs\CloseInactiveRooms;
-use App\Jobs\MarkInactivePlayers;
+use App\Jobs\RemoveAbsentPlayers;
 use Illuminate\Foundation\DevCommands;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schedule;
 
@@ -11,6 +11,6 @@ Schedule::job(new CloseInactiveRooms)
     ->weeklyOn(1, '02:00')
     ->withoutOverlapping();
 
-Schedule::job(new MarkInactivePlayers)
+Schedule::job(new RemoveAbsentPlayers)
     ->everyFiveMinutes()
     ->withoutOverlapping();

tests/Feature/AbsentPlayerRemovalTest.php

@@ -0,0 +1,184 @@
+<?php
+
+use App\Enums\RoomStateChange;
+use App\Events\RoomStateChanged;
+use App\Jobs\RemoveAbsentPlayers;
+use App\Models\Room;
+use App\Models\User;
+use Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Event;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schema;
+
+test('the player table no longer stores an inactive status', function () {
+    expect(Schema::hasColumn('players', 'inactive_at'))->toBeFalse();
+});
+
+test('migrations remove absent players and reconcile guest rooms', function () {
+    Schema::table('players', function (Blueprint $table): void {
+        $table->timestamp('inactive_at')->nullable();
+    });
+
+    $room = Room::create([
+        'title' => 'Planning',
+        'deck_config' => ['name' => 'Fibonacci', 'cards' => []],
+    ]);
+    $previouslyInactive = $room->players()->create([
+        'name' => 'Inactive',
+        'last_seen_at' => now(),
+    ]);
+    $absent = $room->players()->create([
+        'name' => 'Nico',
+        'last_seen_at' => now()->subHours(2),
+    ]);
+    $present = $room->players()->create([
+        'name' => 'Anna',
+        'last_seen_at' => now(),
+    ]);
+    $emptyGuestRoom = Room::create([
+        'title' => 'Empty guest room',
+        'deck_config' => ['name' => 'Fibonacci', 'cards' => []],
+    ]);
+    $owner = User::factory()->create();
+    $emptyAccountRoom = Room::create([
+        'owner_id' => $owner->id,
+        'is_persistent' => true,
+        'title' => 'Persistent account room',
+        'deck_config' => ['name' => 'Fibonacci', 'cards' => []],
+    ]);
+
+    DB::table('players')->where('id', $previouslyInactive->id)->update(['inactive_at' => now()]);
+
+    $migration = require database_path('migrations/2026_09_24_123048_remove_previously_inactive_players.php');
+    $migration->up();
+    $guestRoomMigration = require database_path('migrations/2026_09_24_125529_reconcile_guest_rooms_after_player_cleanup.php');
+    $guestRoomMigration->up();
+
+    $this->assertModelMissing($previouslyInactive);
+    $this->assertModelMissing($absent);
+    $this->assertModelExists($present);
+    $this->assertSoftDeleted($emptyGuestRoom);
+    $this->assertModelExists($emptyAccountRoom);
+    expect($present->fresh()->is_moderator)->toBeTrue();
+    expect(Schema::hasColumn('players', 'inactive_at'))->toBeFalse();
+});
+
+test('the timeout removes absent players and their votes but keeps recent players', function () {
+    $room = Room::create([
+        'title' => 'Planning',
+        'current_round' => 1,
+        'deck_config' => ['name' => 'Fibonacci', 'cards' => []],
+    ]);
+    $absentPlayer = $room->players()->create([
+        'name' => 'Nico',
+        'is_moderator' => true,
+        'last_seen_at' => now()->subHour(),
+    ]);
+    $recentPlayer = $room->players()->create([
+        'name' => 'Anna',
+        'last_seen_at' => now()->subHour()->addSecond(),
+    ]);
+    $vote = $absentPlayer->votes()->create([
+        'room_id' => $room->id,
+        'round' => $room->current_round,
+        'value' => '3',
+    ]);
+    $previousVersion = $room->fresh()->state_version;
+
+    Event::fake([RoomStateChanged::class]);
+
+    app()->call([new RemoveAbsentPlayers, 'handle']);
+    app()->call([new RemoveAbsentPlayers, 'handle']);
+
+    $this->assertModelMissing($absentPlayer);
+    $this->assertModelMissing($vote);
+    $this->assertModelExists($recentPlayer);
+    expect($room->fresh()->state_version)->toBe($previousVersion + 1);
+    expect($recentPlayer->fresh()->is_moderator)->toBeTrue();
+
+    Event::assertDispatched(
+        RoomStateChanged::class,
+        fn (RoomStateChanged $event): bool => $event->change === RoomStateChange::PlayerKicked
+            && $event->affectedPlayerId === $absentPlayer->id
+            && collect($event->state['players'])->doesntContain('id', $absentPlayer->id)
+            && collect($event->state['players'])->firstWhere('id', $recentPlayer->id)['is_moderator'] === true,
+    );
+    Event::assertDispatchedTimes(RoomStateChanged::class, 1);
+
+    $this->post(route('room.code'), [
+        'join_code' => $room->join_code,
+        'player_name' => 'Nico',
+    ])->assertRedirect(route('room.show', $room));
+
+    expect($room->players()->where('name', 'Nico')->sole()->id)->not->toBe($absentPlayer->id);
+});
+
+test('the timeout deletes a guest room when its last player is removed', function () {
+    $room = Room::create([
+        'title' => 'Guest planning',
+        'deck_config' => ['name' => 'Fibonacci', 'cards' => []],
+    ]);
+    $moderator = $room->players()->create([
+        'name' => 'Nico',
+        'is_moderator' => true,
+        'last_seen_at' => now()->subHour(),
+    ]);
+
+    Event::fake([RoomStateChanged::class]);
+
+    app()->call([new RemoveAbsentPlayers, 'handle']);
+    app()->call([new RemoveAbsentPlayers, 'handle']);
+
+    $this->assertModelMissing($moderator);
+    $this->assertSoftDeleted($room);
+    Event::assertDispatched(
+        RoomStateChanged::class,
+        fn (RoomStateChanged $event): bool => $event->roomId === $room->id
+            && $event->change === RoomStateChange::RoomDeleted,
+    );
+    Event::assertDispatchedTimes(RoomStateChanged::class, 1);
+
+    $this->post(route('room.code'), [
+        'join_code' => $room->join_code,
+        'player_name' => 'Nico',
+    ])->assertSessionHasErrors('join_code');
+});
+
+test('the owner regains moderation when joining a persistent room after a timeout', function () {
+    $owner = User::factory()->create();
+    $room = Room::create([
+        'owner_id' => $owner->id,
+        'is_persistent' => true,
+        'title' => 'Permanent planning',
+        'deck_config' => ['name' => 'Fibonacci', 'cards' => []],
+    ]);
+    $oldModerator = $room->players()->create([
+        'user_id' => $owner->id,
+        'name' => 'Nico',
+        'is_moderator' => true,
+        'last_seen_at' => now()->subHour(),
+    ]);
+    $guest = $room->players()->create([
+        'name' => 'Anna',
+        'last_seen_at' => now(),
+    ]);
+
+    app()->call([new RemoveAbsentPlayers, 'handle']);
+
+    $this->assertModelMissing($oldModerator);
+    $this->assertModelExists($room);
+    expect($guest->fresh()->is_moderator)->toBeFalse();
+
+    $this->actingAs($owner)
+        ->withSession(["room_players.{$room->id}" => $oldModerator->id])
+        ->post(route('room.code'), [
+            'join_code' => $room->join_code,
+            'player_name' => 'Nico',
+        ])
+        ->assertRedirect(route('room.show', $room));
+
+    $newModerator = $room->players()->where('user_id', $owner->id)->sole();
+
+    expect($newModerator->id)->not->toBe($oldModerator->id)
+        ->and($newModerator->is_moderator)->toBeTrue();
+});

tests/Feature/EmbeddedRoomTest.php

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 use App\Enums\RoomStateChange;
 use App\Events\RoomStateChanged;
+use App\Jobs\RemoveAbsentPlayers;
 use App\Models\Room;
 use App\Models\User;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Event;
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ test('a guest automatically joins the embedded room', function () {
     $player = $room->players()->sole();
 
     expect($player->user_id)->toBeNull()
-        ->and($player->is_moderator)->toBeFalse();
+        ->and($player->is_moderator)->toBeTrue();
 
     $response->assertSessionHas("room_players.{$room->id}", $player->id);
 });
@@ -46,7 +47,6 @@ test('embedded guest access reuses the session player and applies a changed disp
     $room = createEmbeddedRoom();
     $player = $room->players()->create([
         'name' => 'Old name',
-        'inactive_at' => now(),
     ]);
 
     $this->withSession(["room_players.{$room->id}" => $player->id])
@@ -57,8 +57,7 @@ test('embedded guest access reuses the session player and applies a changed disp
         ->assertOk();
 
     expect($room->players()->count())->toBe(1)
-        ->and($player->fresh()->name)->toBe('New name')
+        ->and($player->fresh()->name)->toBe('New name');
-        ->and($player->fresh()->inactive_at)->toBeNull();
 });
 
 test('an authenticated user automatically joins the embedded room', function () {
@@ -82,17 +81,70 @@ test('an authenticated user automatically joins the embedded room', function ()
         'room_id' => $room->id,
         'user_id' => $user->id,
         'name' => 'Nico',
-        'is_moderator' => false,
+        'is_moderator' => true,
     ]);
 });
 
+test('a persistent room owner regains moderation through the embedded room', function () {
+    $owner = User::factory()->create();
+    $room = createEmbeddedRoom([
+        'owner_id' => $owner->id,
+        'is_persistent' => true,
+    ]);
+    $oldModerator = $room->players()->create([
+        'user_id' => $owner->id,
+        'name' => 'Nico',
+        'is_moderator' => true,
+        'last_seen_at' => now()->subHour(),
+    ]);
+
+    app()->call([new RemoveAbsentPlayers, 'handle']);
+
+    $this->actingAs($owner)
+        ->withSession(["room_players.{$room->id}" => $oldModerator->id])
+        ->get(route('embedded.room', [
+            'join_code' => $room->join_code,
+            'player_name' => 'Nico',
+        ]))
+        ->assertOk()
+        ->assertInertia(fn (Assert $page) => $page
+            ->where('currentPlayer.is_moderator', true));
+
+    expect($room->players()->where('user_id', $owner->id)->sole()->id)->not->toBe($oldModerator->id);
+});
+
+test('a persistent room owner does not take over another account session when becoming moderator', function () {
+    $owner = User::factory()->create();
+    $otherUser = User::factory()->create();
+    $room = createEmbeddedRoom([
+        'owner_id' => $owner->id,
+        'is_persistent' => true,
+    ]);
+    $otherPlayer = $room->players()->create([
+        'user_id' => $otherUser->id,
+        'name' => 'Anna',
+    ]);
+
+    $this->actingAs($owner)
+        ->withSession(["room_players.{$room->id}" => $otherPlayer->id])
+        ->get(route('embedded.room', [
+            'join_code' => $room->join_code,
+            'player_name' => 'Nico',
+        ]))
+        ->assertOk()
+        ->assertInertia(fn (Assert $page) => $page
+            ->where('currentPlayer.is_moderator', true));
+
+    expect($otherPlayer->fresh()->is_moderator)->toBeFalse()
+        ->and($room->players()->where('user_id', $owner->id)->sole()->is_moderator)->toBeTrue();
+});
+
 test('embedded access reuses the user player and applies a changed display name', function () {
     $user = User::factory()->create();
     $room = createEmbeddedRoom();
     $player = $room->players()->create([
         'user_id' => $user->id,
         'name' => 'Old name',
-        'inactive_at' => now(),
     ]);
 
     $this->actingAs($user)
@@ -103,8 +155,7 @@ test('embedded access reuses the user player and applies a changed display name'
         ->assertOk();
 
     expect($room->players()->count())->toBe(1)
-        ->and($player->fresh()->name)->toBe('New name')
+        ->and($player->fresh()->name)->toBe('New name');
-        ->and($player->fresh()->inactive_at)->toBeNull();
 });
 
 test('an embedded guest keeps the same player after logging in separately', function () {

tests/Feature/RoomFavoritesTest.php

@@ -20,11 +20,6 @@ test('favorited rooms are presented on the dashboard with player counts', functi
         'name' => 'Active player',
         'last_seen_at' => now(),
     ]);
-    $room->players()->create([
-        'name' => 'Inactive player',
-        'last_seen_at' => now()->subHour(),
-        'inactive_at' => now(),
-    ]);
 
     $this->actingAs($user)
         ->post(route('room.favorite', $room))
@@ -39,8 +34,7 @@ test('favorited rooms are presented on the dashboard with player counts', functi
         ->assertInertia(fn (Assert $page) => $page
             ->has('favoriteRooms', 1)
             ->where('favoriteRooms.0.id', $room->id)
-            ->where('favoriteRooms.0.players_count', 2)
+            ->where('favoriteRooms.0.players_count', 1));
-            ->where('favoriteRooms.0.active_player_count', 1));
 });
 
 test('the room resource exposes favorite and owner state', function () {

tests/Feature/RoomLifecycleTest.php

@@ -216,15 +216,16 @@ test('an active guest with a room session skips the join form', function () {
         ->assertRedirect(route('room.show', $room));
 });
 
-test('an inactive guest is sent through join and reuses the existing player', function () {
+test('a removed guest joins again with a new player identity', function () {
     $room = createLifecycleRoom();
     $player = $room->players()->create([
         'name' => 'Returning guest',
         'last_seen_at' => now()->subHours(2),
-        'inactive_at' => now()->subHour(),
     ]);
     $session = ["room_players.{$room->id}" => $player->id];
 
+    $player->delete();
+
     $this->withSession($session)
         ->get(route('room.show', $room))
         ->assertRedirect(route('room.join', ['join_code' => $room->join_code]));
@@ -233,7 +234,7 @@ test('an inactive guest is sent through join and reuses the existing player', fu
         ->get(route('room.join', ['join_code' => $room->join_code]))
         ->assertInertia(fn (Assert $page) => $page
             ->component('rooms/Join')
-            ->where('defaultPlayerName', 'Returning guest'));
+            ->where('defaultPlayerName', null));
 
     $this->withSession($session)
         ->post(route('room.code'), [
@@ -243,7 +244,7 @@ test('an inactive guest is sent through join and reuses the existing player', fu
         ->assertRedirect(route('room.show', $room));
 
     expect($room->players()->count())->toBe(1)
-        ->and($player->fresh()->inactive_at)->toBeNull();
+        ->and($room->players()->sole()->id)->not->toBe($player->id);
 });
 
 test('showing or polling a room does not count as room activity', function () {

tests/Feature/RoomPlayerKickTest.php

@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ test('the room owner sees active room players on the dashboard', function () {
     $room = createRoomForPlayerKick($owner);
     $moderator = addPlayerToKickRoom($room, 'Moderator', $owner, true);
     $participant = addPlayerToKickRoom($room, 'Anna');
-    addPlayerToKickRoom($room, 'Inactive')->update(['inactive_at' => now()]);
 
     $this->actingAs($owner)
         ->get(route('dashboard'))
@@ -77,8 +76,8 @@ test('the room owner can kick an active participant', function () {
         ->delete(route('room.player.destroy', [$room, $participant]))
         ->assertRedirect();
 
-    expect($participant->fresh()->inactive_at)->not->toBeNull()
+    $this->assertModelMissing($participant);
-        ->and($room->fresh()->state_version)->toBe($previousVersion + 1);
+    expect($room->fresh()->state_version)->toBe($previousVersion + 1);
 
     Event::assertDispatched(
         RoomStateChanged::class,
@@ -104,6 +103,36 @@ test('the room owner can kick an active participant', function () {
     Event::assertDispatchedTimes(RoomStateChanged::class, 1);
 });
 
+test('a kicked guest loses their votes and their name becomes available', function () {
+    $owner = User::factory()->create();
+    $room = createRoomForPlayerKick($owner);
+    addPlayerToKickRoom($room, 'Moderator', $owner, true);
+    $guest = addPlayerToKickRoom($room, 'Nico');
+    $vote = $guest->votes()->create([
+        'room_id' => $room->id,
+        'round' => $room->current_round,
+        'value' => '3',
+    ]);
+
+    $this->actingAs($owner)
+        ->delete(route('room.player.destroy', [$room, $guest]))
+        ->assertRedirect();
+
+    $this->assertModelMissing($guest);
+    $this->assertModelMissing($vote);
+
+    auth()->logout();
+
+    $this->withSession(["room_players.{$room->id}" => $guest->id])
+        ->post(route('room.code'), [
+            'join_code' => $room->join_code,
+            'player_name' => 'Nico',
+        ])
+        ->assertRedirect(route('room.show', $room));
+
+    expect($room->players()->where('name', 'Nico')->sole()->id)->not->toBe($guest->id);
+});
+
 test('the room moderator can kick an active participant without shared management', function () {
     $owner = User::factory()->create();
     $room = createRoomForPlayerKick($owner, ['owner_id' => null]);
@@ -116,7 +145,7 @@ test('the room moderator can kick an active participant without shared managemen
         ->delete(route('room.player.destroy', [$room, $target]))
         ->assertRedirect();
 
-    expect($target->fresh()->inactive_at)->not->toBeNull();
+    $this->assertModelMissing($target);
     Event::assertDispatchedTimes(RoomStateChanged::class, 1);
 });
 
@@ -135,7 +164,7 @@ test('a participant cannot kick another player when participant management is di
         ->delete(route('room.player.destroy', [$room, $target]))
         ->assertForbidden();
 
-    expect($target->fresh()->inactive_at)->toBeNull();
+    $this->assertModelExists($target);
     Event::assertNotDispatched(RoomStateChanged::class);
 });
 
@@ -154,7 +183,7 @@ test('a participant can kick another player when participant management is enabl
         ->delete(route('room.player.destroy', [$room, $target]))
         ->assertRedirect();
 
-    expect($target->fresh()->inactive_at)->not->toBeNull();
+    $this->assertModelMissing($target);
     Event::assertDispatched(RoomStateChanged::class);
 });
 
@@ -171,7 +200,7 @@ test('a participant cannot kick themselves when participant management is enable
         ->delete(route('room.player.destroy', [$room, $participant]))
         ->assertForbidden();
 
-    expect($participant->fresh()->inactive_at)->toBeNull();
+    $this->assertModelExists($participant);
     Event::assertNotDispatched(RoomStateChanged::class);
 });
 
@@ -189,7 +218,7 @@ test('an anonymous visitor without a room session cannot kick from an ownerless
     $this->delete(route('room.player.destroy', [$room, $target]))
         ->assertForbidden();
 
-    expect($target->fresh()->inactive_at)->toBeNull();
+    $this->assertModelExists($target);
     Event::assertNotDispatched(RoomStateChanged::class);
 });
 
@@ -204,7 +233,7 @@ test('the room owner cannot kick their own player', function () {
         ->delete(route('room.player.destroy', [$room, $moderator]))
         ->assertForbidden();
 
-    expect($moderator->fresh()->inactive_at)->toBeNull();
+    $this->assertModelExists($moderator);
     Event::assertNotDispatched(RoomStateChanged::class);
 });
 
@@ -221,6 +250,6 @@ test('the room owner cannot kick a player from another room', function () {
         ->delete(route('room.player.destroy', [$room, $target]))
         ->assertForbidden();
 
-    expect($target->fresh()->inactive_at)->toBeNull();
+    $this->assertModelExists($target);
     Event::assertNotDispatched(RoomStateChanged::class);
 });