diff --git a/src/client/HostLobbyModal.ts b/src/client/HostLobbyModal.ts
index 784e19562..6ed8f9ae5 100644
--- a/src/client/HostLobbyModal.ts
+++ b/src/client/HostLobbyModal.ts
@@ -198,7 +198,35 @@ export class HostLobbyModal extends LitElement {
       align-items: center;
       justify-content: center;
     }
+    .option-card input[type="checkbox"] {
+      display: none;
+    }
 
+    label.option-card:hover {
+      transform: none;
+    }
+
+    .checkbox-icon {
+      width: 16px;
+      height: 16px;
+      border: 2px solid #aaa;
+      border-radius: 6px;
+      margin: 4px;
+      display: flex;
+      align-items: center;
+      justify-content: center;
+      transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;
+    }
+
+    .option-card.selected .checkbox-icon {
+      border-color: #4a9eff;
+      background: #4a9eff;
+    }
+
+    .option-card.selected .checkbox-icon::after {
+      content: "✓";
+      color: white;
+    }
     /* HostLobbyModal css */
     .clipboard-icon {
       display: flex;
@@ -358,6 +386,54 @@ export class HostLobbyModal extends LitElement {
               </div>
             </div>
 
+            <!-- Game Options -->
+            <div class="options-section">
+              <div class="option-title">Options</div>
+              <div class="option-cards">
+                <label
+                  for="disable-bots"
+                  class="option-card ${this.disableBots ? "selected" : ""}"
+                >
+                  <div class="checkbox-icon"></div>
+                  <input
+                    type="checkbox"
+                    id="disable-bots"
+                    @change=${this.handleDisableBotsChange}
+                    .checked=${this.disableBots}
+                  />
+                  <div class="option-card-title">Disable Bots</div>
+                </label>
+
+                <label
+                  for="disable-npcs"
+                  class="option-card ${this.disableNPCs ? "selected" : ""}"
+                >
+                  <div class="checkbox-icon"></div>
+                  <input
+                    type="checkbox"
+                    id="disable-npcs"
+                    @change=${this.handleDisableNPCsChange}
+                    .checked=${this.disableNPCs}
+                  />
+                  <div class="option-card-title">Disable NPCs</div>
+                </label>
+
+                <label
+                  for="creative-mode"
+                  class="option-card ${this.creativeMode ? "selected" : ""}"
+                >
+                  <div class="checkbox-icon"></div>
+                  <input
+                    type="checkbox"
+                    id="creative-mode"
+                    @change=${this.handleCreativeModeChange}
+                    .checked=${this.creativeMode}
+                  />
+                  <div class="option-card-title">Creative Mode</div>
+                </label>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+
             <!-- Lobby Selection -->
             <div class="options-section">
               <div class="option-title">
@@ -371,30 +447,6 @@ export class HostLobbyModal extends LitElement {
                 )}
               </div>
             </div>
-            <div>
-              <input
-                type="checkbox"
-                id="disable-bots"
-                @change=${this.handleDisableBotsChange}
-              />
-              <label for="disable-bots">Disable Bots</label>
-            </div>
-            <div>
-              <input
-                type="checkbox"
-                id="disable-npcs"
-                @change=${this.handleDisableNPCsChange}
-              />
-              <label for="disable-npcs">Disable NPCs</label>
-            </div>
-            <div>
-              <input
-                type="checkbox"
-                id="creative-mode"
-                @change=${this.handleCreativeModeChange}
-              />
-              <label for="creative-mode">Creative mode</label>
-            </div>
           </div>
           <button
             @click=${this.startGame}
diff --git a/src/client/JoinPrivateLobbyModal.ts b/src/client/JoinPrivateLobbyModal.ts
index 09cfc6833..f6b26bf1b 100644
--- a/src/client/JoinPrivateLobbyModal.ts
+++ b/src/client/JoinPrivateLobbyModal.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ export class JoinPrivateLobbyModal extends LitElement {
   @state() private message: string = "";
   @query("#lobbyIdInput") private lobbyIdInput!: HTMLInputElement;
   @state() private hasJoined = false;
+  @state() private players: string[] = [];
+
+  private playersInterval = null;
 
   static styles = css`
     .modal-overlay {
@@ -180,6 +183,39 @@ export class JoinPrivateLobbyModal extends LitElement {
       justify-content: center;
       color: #fff;
     }
+
+    .options-section {
+      background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
+      padding: 12px 24px 24px 24px;
+      border-radius: 12px;
+    }
+
+    .option-title {
+      margin: 0 0 16px 0;
+      font-size: 20px;
+      color: #fff;
+      text-align: center;
+    }
+
+    .players-list {
+      display: flex;
+      flex-wrap: wrap;
+      gap: 8px;
+      justify-content: center;
+      padding: 0 16px;
+    }
+
+    .player-tag {
+      display: flex;
+      align-items: center;
+      justify-content: center;
+      background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+      padding: 4px 16px;
+      border-radius: 16px;
+      font-size: 14px;
+      color: #fff;
+      border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
+    }
   `;
 
   render() {
@@ -216,6 +252,24 @@ export class JoinPrivateLobbyModal extends LitElement {
           <div class="message-area ${this.message ? "show" : ""}">
             ${this.message}
           </div>
+          <div class="options-layout">
+            <!-- Lobby Selection -->
+            ${this.hasJoined && this.players.length > 0
+              ? html`<div class="options-section">
+                  <div class="option-title">
+                    ${this.players.length}
+                    ${this.players.length === 1 ? "Player" : "Players"}
+                  </div>
+
+                  <div class="players-list">
+                    ${this.players.map(
+                      (player) =>
+                        html`<span class="player-tag">${player}</span>`
+                    )}
+                  </div>
+                </div>`
+              : ""}
+          </div>
           ${!this.hasJoined
             ? html`<button class="start-game-button" @click=${this.joinLobby}>
                 Join Lobby
@@ -233,6 +287,10 @@ export class JoinPrivateLobbyModal extends LitElement {
   public close() {
     this.isModalOpen = false;
     this.lobbyIdInput.value = null;
+    if (this.playersInterval) {
+      clearInterval(this.playersInterval);
+      this.playersInterval = null;
+    }
   }
 
   public closeAndLeave() {
@@ -284,6 +342,7 @@ export class JoinPrivateLobbyModal extends LitElement {
               composed: true,
             })
           );
+          this.playersInterval = setInterval(() => this.pollPlayers(), 1000);
         } else {
           this.message = "Lobby not found. Please check the ID and try again.";
         }
@@ -293,4 +352,22 @@ export class JoinPrivateLobbyModal extends LitElement {
         this.message = "An error occurred. Please try again.";
       });
   }
+
+  private async pollPlayers() {
+    if (!this.lobbyIdInput?.value) return;
+
+    fetch(`/lobby/${this.lobbyIdInput.value}`, {
+      method: "GET",
+      headers: {
+        "Content-Type": "application/json",
+      },
+    })
+      .then((response) => response.json())
+      .then((data) => {
+        this.players = data.players.map((p) => p.username);
+      })
+      .catch((error) => {
+        consolex.error("Error polling players:", error);
+      });
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/client/SinglePlayerModal.ts b/src/client/SinglePlayerModal.ts
index 814350fc1..966902cfe 100644
--- a/src/client/SinglePlayerModal.ts
+++ b/src/client/SinglePlayerModal.ts
@@ -193,6 +193,36 @@ export class SinglePlayerModal extends LitElement {
       align-items: center;
       justify-content: center;
     }
+
+    .option-card input[type="checkbox"] {
+      display: none;
+    }
+
+    label.option-card:hover {
+      transform: none;
+    }
+
+    .checkbox-icon {
+      width: 16px;
+      height: 16px;
+      border: 2px solid #aaa;
+      border-radius: 6px;
+      margin: 4px;
+      display: flex;
+      align-items: center;
+      justify-content: center;
+      transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out;
+    }
+
+    .option-card.selected .checkbox-icon {
+      border-color: #4a9eff;
+      background: #4a9eff;
+    }
+
+    .option-card.selected .checkbox-icon::after {
+      content: "✓";
+      color: white;
+    }
   `;
 
   render() {
@@ -251,56 +281,54 @@ export class SinglePlayerModal extends LitElement {
                   )}
               </div>
             </div>
-          </div>
-          <div>
-            <input
-              type="checkbox"
-              id="disable-bots"
-              @change=${this.handleDisableBotsChange}
-            />
-            <label for="disable-bots">Disable Bots</label>
-          </div>
-          <div>
-            <input
-              type="checkbox"
-              id="disable-npcs"
-              @change=${this.handleDisableNPCsChange}
-            />
-            <label for="disable-npcs">Disable NPCs</label>
-          </div>
-          <div>
-            <input
-              type="checkbox"
-              id="disable-bots"
-              @change=${this.handleDisableBotsChange}
-            />
-            <label for="disable-bots">Disable Bots</label>
-          </div>
-          <div>
-            <input
-              type="checkbox"
-              id="disable-npcs"
-              @change=${this.handleDisableNPCsChange}
-            />
-            <label for="disable-npcs">Disable NPCs</label>
-          </div>
 
-          <div>
-            <input
-              type="checkbox"
-              id="creative-mode"
-              @change=${this.handleCreativeModeChange}
-            />
-            <label for="creative-mode">Creative mode</label>
-          </div>
+            <!-- Game Options -->
+            <div class="options-section">
+              <div class="option-title">Options</div>
+              <div class="option-cards">
+                <label
+                  for="disable-bots"
+                  class="option-card ${this.disableBots ? "selected" : ""}"
+                >
+                  <div class="checkbox-icon"></div>
+                  <input
+                    type="checkbox"
+                    id="disable-bots"
+                    @change=${this.handleDisableBotsChange}
+                    .checked=${this.disableBots}
+                  />
+                  <div class="option-card-title">Disable Bots</div>
+                </label>
 
-          <div>
-            <input
-              type="checkbox"
-              id="creative-mode"
-              @change=${this.handleCreativeModeChange}
-            />
-            <label for="creative-mode">Creative mode</label>
+                <label
+                  for="disable-npcs"
+                  class="option-card ${this.disableNPCs ? "selected" : ""}"
+                >
+                  <div class="checkbox-icon"></div>
+                  <input
+                    type="checkbox"
+                    id="disable-npcs"
+                    @change=${this.handleDisableNPCsChange}
+                    .checked=${this.disableNPCs}
+                  />
+                  <div class="option-card-title">Disable NPCs</div>
+                </label>
+
+                <label
+                  for="creative-mode"
+                  class="option-card ${this.creativeMode ? "selected" : ""}"
+                >
+                  <div class="checkbox-icon"></div>
+                  <input
+                    type="checkbox"
+                    id="creative-mode"
+                    @change=${this.handleCreativeModeChange}
+                    .checked=${this.creativeMode}
+                  />
+                  <div class="option-card-title">Creative Mode</div>
+                </label>
+              </div>
+            </div>
           </div>
 
           <button @click=${this.startGame} class="start-game-button">
diff --git a/src/client/index.html b/src/client/index.html
index accf7afe7..fb7cb5f7c 100644
--- a/src/client/index.html
+++ b/src/client/index.html
@@ -201,11 +201,10 @@
 
   <div class="bottom-0 w-full flex-col-reverse sm:flex-row z-50" style="position: fixed; pointer-events: none">
     <div class="w-full sm:w-2/3 sm:fixed sm:right-0 sm:bottom-0 sm:flex justify-end" style="pointer-events: auto">
-        <events-display></events-display>
-      </div>
-      <div class="w-full sm:w-1/3" style="pointer-events: auto">
-        <control-panel></control-panel>
-      </div>
+      <events-display></events-display>
+    </div>
+    <div class="w-full sm:w-1/3 md:max-w-72" style="pointer-events: auto">
+      <control-panel></control-panel>
     </div>
 
     <!-- Footer section -->
diff --git a/src/core/Schemas.ts b/src/core/Schemas.ts
index a4b31c18f..9bfae45f5 100644
--- a/src/core/Schemas.ts
+++ b/src/core/Schemas.ts
@@ -100,7 +100,8 @@ const GameConfigSchema = z.object({
 const SafeString = z
   .string()
   // Remove common dangerous characters and patterns
-  .regex(/^[a-zA-Z0-9\s.,!?@#$%&*()-_+=\[\]{}|;:"'\/]+$/)
+  // The weird \u stuff is to allow emojis
+  .regex(/^[a-zA-Z0-9\s.,!?@#$%&*()-_+=\[\]{}|;:"'\/\u00a9|\u00ae|[\u2000-\u3300]|\ud83c[\ud000-\udfff]|\ud83d[\ud000-\udfff]|\ud83e[\ud000-\udfff]]+$/) 
   // Reasonable max length to prevent DOS
   .max(1000);
 
@@ -323,3 +324,5 @@ export const GameRecordSchema = z.object({
   turns: z.array(TurnSchema),
   winner: ID.nullable(),
 });
+
+
diff --git a/src/core/validations/username.ts b/src/core/validations/username.ts
index 88a2c1011..c1de0c357 100644
--- a/src/core/validations/username.ts
+++ b/src/core/validations/username.ts
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ const matcher = new RegExpMatcher({
 export const MIN_USERNAME_LENGTH = 3;
 export const MAX_USERNAME_LENGTH = 27;
 
-const validPattern = /^[a-zA-Z0-9_\[\] 🐈🍀]+$/;
+const validPattern = /^[a-zA-Z0-9_\[\] 🐈🍀]+$/u;
 
 const shadowNames = [
   "NicePeopleOnly",
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ export function validateUsername(username: string): {
 
 export function sanitizeUsername(str: string): string {
   const sanitized = str
-    .replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9_\[\] 🐈🍀]/g, "")
+    .replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9_\[\] 🐈🍀]/gu, "")
     .slice(0, MAX_USERNAME_LENGTH);
   return sanitized.padEnd(MIN_USERNAME_LENGTH, "x");
 }