A few thoughts on using the app

[marc]

I like the app’s icon and the color scheme. I like the fonts used.

When I open the app, I see this page:

The top left is perfect for „find a bound,“ and the graphic is great.

Next at top is the code scanner. That’s good to have on the primary screen.

Next line down is the nearby bounds. I have a question or suggestion for that. If the list of bounds loads first, instead of the map, would it be faster? Also, if the list were to be shown, the map icon at top right should attract a new users attention more than the list icon shown with the map page. Also, on the map page, it is a different experience for a user in an area with few bounds compared to a user in an area with many bounds. Therefore, could the player adjust the setting in the app to increase or decrease the range of what is considered to be nearby? Also, would it be possible on the map page to have a different color for the bounds that have been completed, and perhaps the list page could include a checkmark icon and a date to indicate the player has completed it, and the last date and time that it was completed?

Next is settings. I love the big wrench. There could always be more things under settings, but I’m just critiquing the main screen’s appearance.

Next is info. Either a little letter i, or a question mark would work well. I’m not sure which would be more universal. Bottom of main screen is perfect placement.

Next is legal info. I think that should be moved to within the info page. Also, the settings page should have the option to select the player’s language, and then the info page and subpage should all be translated.

What would work best in the spot where the legal info is now? How about a record or history? The player might like to see a list of all the bounds they have played. This could be per the app download, or you could use accounts to track that info and the app would need to access that information from your server. That tracking of player stats could be a useful feature that people would be willing to pay for, if you’re looking for ways to generate revenue.

The graphic at bottom is not necessary, I think. I would rather have the large graphics and cool color scheme, and the logo at the top. I would prefer a page that is fully shown, without a need to scroll down.

That’s all for now.

[Simon]

Thank you very much for your detailed feedback, Marc!

If the list of bounds loads first, instead of the map, would it be faster?

It would be minimal faster. The time the server query takes is the same. Loading the pictures or loading the map is then almost the same. We decided to show the map in the first place because you don’t only see the proximity but also the exact location of a starting point.

Also, if the list were to be shown, the map icon at top right should attract a new users attention more than the list icon shown with the map page.

That’s true! But we thought that most users might want to see the map. Don’t you think so?

Therefore, could the player adjust the setting in the app to increase or decrease the range of what is considered to be nearby?

That’s an interesting idea, I’ll keep that in mind.

Next is legal info. I think that should be moved to within the info page.

To put the legal info there totally makes sense. The large space for an extra legal info button is disproportionately high in relation to the relevance to the user. To be honest, when we launched the app, we had lots of space and that’s the reason why the legal info has an own button until today.

What would work best in the spot where the legal info is now? How about a record or history? The player might like to see a list of all the bounds they have played.

That’s a nice idea. We could move the heart button “My Bounds” to this position. Whith two sub-categories: “Bounds created by me” and “Bounds played by me”. What do you think about that?

The graphic at bottom is not necessary, I think. I would rather have the large graphics and cool color scheme, and the logo at the top. I would prefer a page that is fully shown, without a need to scroll down.

Don’t you think that this information is important to promote that you can create your own Bounds?

[marc]

The graphic at bottom is not necessary, I think. I would rather have the large graphics and cool color scheme, and the logo at the top. I would prefer a page that is fully shown, without a need to scroll down.

Don’t you think that this information is important to promote that you can create your own Bounds?

I do think it is important to promote the fact that players can create their own bounds, but for a simplistic and clean primary screen, I would move this announcement to the “info” page. In fact, I would start the info page with this promotion. A statement at the top of the info page will definitely be seen by everyone who installs the app and plays the games.

[marc]

@Simon

What would work best in the spot where the legal info is now? How about a record or history? The player might like to see a list of all the bounds they have played.

That’s a nice idea. We could move the heart button „My Bounds“ to this position. Whith two sub-categories: „Bounds created by me“ and „Bounds played by me“. What do you think about that?

The heart button would look great at the bottom right corner on the primary screen!

Currently, the „My Bounds“ page has a header that reads „FIND A BOUND“ which should be changed to „MY BOUNDS“ of course. Several other pages also have that same header (e.g. Bounds Nearby, Top Rated), so those should be tweaked, too.

Yes, I like the idea of two subcategories in the „My Bounds“ page. This would also help promote to players that they can create bounds. Would you have the „heart“ page display „MY BOUNDS“ at the top of the page and have bounds created and bounds played listed on the same screen?

I would remove the bound image (small, square, cropped images) from this page to allow more data. You could fit three of each (played and created) on one page with a large, comfortable font size, I think.

Here’s a drawing of before and after suggestion:
BEFORE:

AFTER:

[marc]

Also, if the list were to be shown, the map icon at top right should attract a new users attention more than the list icon shown with the map page.

That’s true! But we thought that most users might want to see the map. Don’t you think so?

I think most iusers would like the map initially, but if a player (or a builder) were constantly revisiting this page, I think the list would be more useful… IF the user could have a specific focal point, and whenever a new bound was published close to them, they would likely notice that it then appears on the list (ordered by proximity)…
whereas if it were starting on the map page, the user might not notice a recently added bound that is relatively nearby.

With that being said, the “New Bounds” page maybe would be more useful if it displayed the date that the bound was published (maybe the initial date published, ignoring any later dates of revisions).

[marc]

This screenshot demonstrates how DEMO45142 doesn’t have an image linked to it, while the other bound does, and therefore a small icon is displayed. That icon, which is obtained as a thumbnail of the larger image that we upload with specific dimensions, is not under the creator’s control. I wish that I could make my own smaller icon to be displayed in the lists. I’m sure everyone would like that.

Another aspect of the lists of bounds that I would suggest be tweaked is that the bound title be allowed to stretch from left to right margin. If the title shares the same row as the stars, or anything, it limits the useful length of the title. By trial and error, a creator will learn that a title can only have so many characters in order to be fully shown on the list pages.

And furthermore, if the title is fed into the header on the „bound page“ it is cut off even more. See image below. The title that I gave to my bound is „Hillsboro Family Fun Quest - January 2016“ which I realize now is too long. I would suggest putting a limit on the number of characters used in bound titles. Of course, point that out to creators when they choose a title. I would also like to see the full length of the title everywhere in the app.

I was playing with the bound image, adding text, but notice the title is shortened way too much in that header (to HILLSBORO FAM). Move the title to the top of the black space, just below that header, and above the image. As I mentioned before, I would suggest adding a date that the bound was initially published. I would also suggest adding some results stats to this page. I would like to see

"Congratulations ((enter team name here))!
first to finish at 14:30 on 11/19/2015.

First ten teams to complete this bound:
1.
2.

Top ten scores on this bound:
9999 team name
6541 team name
etc.