User Interface Improvements

General Chat
#1

I just wanted to share that I cancelled my subscription due to the poor useability of the mobile apps.

I really loved the intent, but the mobile app is so user-hostile that I found I just wasn’t even considering it if I didn’t have multiple weeks to prep soundsets in advance of a game session. It’s so disappointing. The “master interface” web app isn’t much better.

Please get an actual UX person in here to fix them sometime. It needs to be functional first and the “fun” wrapper you put on the mobile apps detracts from that. It looks like something out of the early 2000s.

Literally just improve the user experience and I’ll be back in. Look at how other modern apps are designed and stop trying to reinvent the wheel, please.

3 Likes
#2

Hey @jaydkay55,

We hear you.

Just say we were in the process of some prototyping future not-too-distant future concepts. Would you be interested in having some input into that process? :penguin: :hammer: :bug: :hammer: :fire: :fire_engine:

You’d need to have some time to do some testing and give detailed feedback.

Let me know if you are keen. :pizza: :beer:

3 Likes
#3

I am also actively considering cancelling my subscription due to User Interface frustrations and poor app performance and have been considering it for some time.
I have read the advice on running the web app alone in the browser but it still isn’t perfect.
The desktop application is better, but is unusable from a ux perspective. I just can’t do what I want to do in the desktop app and I can barely do it in the web app.
I’m at the point where I’ve looked into coding my own UI by using the API just to be able to navigate the darn thing.

#4

Hi Jon, :slight_smile:

You may be extremely interested in being in on the process of this?


Keen to help us in testing?
#5

Are the changes currently in experimental mode? I don’t see anything reflected in the web app after enabling it.

#6

I would be open to testing. I already cancelled my subscription which ends next week.

#7

Hi @jon.a.havener,

Yes, we are still in Alpha for a little while longer so nothing to see yet for those just opted in to Experimental Features… BUT you could jump in on the Alpha if you are keen to help out right now. Keen?

@dethstruck I’ll add you to the list for the mailout of the next Alpha round (not too long now).

#8

This is EXACTLY why I signed on today. I was going to post to ask if the Offline apps have been completely abandoned. The web app is too cluttered and surprisingly difficult to navigate for being so basic. The offline apps are what I use and those have not seen an update since the Before Times.

I couldn’t agree more, maybe put some effort into usablity study instead of more soundsets. The issue already is that there are SO MANY and no easy way to navigate them. I tried using the campaign tool to try and filter out just what I wanted but its still too much prep for too little return. Now, I have 3 soundsets. Thats all I use because I don’t have the time and patience to figure out more.

1 city soundset
1 fight soundset
1 dungeon/night soundset.

#9

Sure, I’ll give it a try.

#10

Not entiiiiiiirely correct. There was a major update in Dec 2023, that included REALLY cool stuff, like SoundSet content automatically installing as required, or even simply streaming for use without even installation. Check the Change Log here:

Are you seeing those features, or needing to install the new(-ish) version?

But, YES, 100% one of the MAIN things we are dealing with with this new thing is a BIG improvement in unearthing the thing you need to play. I suspect you will LOVE our upcoming updates! :slight_smile:

#11

I stand corrected. I don’t mean to beat down on your work. I really do enjoy what you have built. Just the UI sometimes creates some frustration. I look forward to seeing what is in the works.

1 Like
#12

Totally, yes! Me too! :slight_smile: Stay tuned!!! :slight_smile: :slight_smile: :smiley:

#13

I tried last week the app for the first time because I had a game in a place without internet connection. It is not perfect but enough for what I needed.
The website is fantastic and once you know how it works is really easy and fun to build or customize your own soundsets. I cannot imagine a game without Syrinsicape. I absolutely love it! Looking forward to the new improvements. Awesome work! Thank you :slight_smile:

2 Likes
#14

Thanks for taking the time to say something nice! :slight_smile: :pizza: :beers:

Our current plan:

  • Get Syrinscape [REDACTED] out into the wild

  • Make a performance pass on the Web Player tech in general to make it run more smoothly (especially on weaker devices)

  • Make a UI pass on the Web Player to hit lots of things we’ve wanted to do to that for ages + incorporating some of the learnings we have gained in the process of working together with our alpha testers on…
    “Syrinscape [REDACTED]”

Sounds like a plan?

#15

Oh YES! Cannot wait :slight_smile:

#16

I am super excited for the new beta features! Been using Syrinscape for at least a decade and love the ability to mix my own tracks with the sound sets. Really helps with the immersion for my TTRPGs. One thing I would love to see is a place where all of the reaction sounds are in one place, but I am sure that is difficult with the current interface, since you purchase the sound sets and operate within that soundset (unless you do a custom sound set). Not sure if it could work like this, but could there be a custom tab where you add the reactions from the soundsets you purchase?

Love your product!

#17

Same. I also cancelled my account b/c of the user interface. I love the integration with Fantasy Grounds, the link to push out to players and ultimately the ability to upload sounds, but the friction of how to navigate the interface was too much. I hope the new changes will address and thus consider coming back.