I'm just sharing some observations as a new user, while I'm still a new user. My plan is to contribute solutions where I can to the problems that I have observed.
Fundamentally, there needs to be a new-user on-boarding path that gets a new user oriented and engaged as quickly as possible. My experience as a new user is that this path does not currently exist.
-- The "Learn to Drive" sessions are great and should be expanded. This is where a new user needs to start. In my case, however, I had a moment of panic because the first thing I clicked on was "Driver/Surveyor" and got lost and confused. At the very least, "Learn to Drive" needs to be the top, most prominent choice, impossible for a new user to miss.
-- The launcher has these options: "Start Trainz", "Manage Content", "Trainz Settings", "Purchase Content"
when I launch Trainz I have these options "Driver/Surveyor", "My Collection", "More Content", "Learn to Drive"
-- Notice that "Learn to Drive" is the last thing a new user sees. It should be the first.
-- "Manage Content", "Purchase Content", "My Collection", and "More Content" all look like the same thing. This is a confusing mess for a new user.
-- When I start Trainz, an "Asset Download" dialog box pops up with no explanation, loaded with a bunch of stuff (KUIDs I think), indicating a Payware package. I have since figured out that this is additional content that came with my Steam purchase of TRS2019. I shouldn't have to figure this out; it should come with an explanation and instructions.
-- The auran.com domain has got to go. I have no idea what auran is, nor do I care. I purchased a product called Trainz developed by N3V. The fact that I get redirected to another domain for important services creates nothing but confusion. It also poses security concerns for me, and it severely complicates the registration process.
-- I don't understand what "Trainz Pointz" are, and it sounds a little scammy. I have 200 of them, for what?
-- I don't understand what a "First Class Ticket" is. It has something to do with subscription, but subscribe to what? For what reason?
My overall impression is that Trainz and N3V grew out of a freeware community and there is a lot of legacy stuff that needs to be supported, and there is likely tension that exists between business interests and community interests. The confusing jumble that I experience as a new user is likely the result of conflicting interests and a desire to accommodate many things to many people. That is understandable.
However, if both the business and the community is to survive and grow, greater focus and improvements need to be made to the new user experience.
I have a particular, strong interest in making Trainz work for me and my project, so I am willing to push through the confusion and find answers to my questions. This is likely not the case for a more casual user.
Fundamentally, there needs to be a new-user on-boarding path that gets a new user oriented and engaged as quickly as possible. My experience as a new user is that this path does not currently exist.
-- The "Learn to Drive" sessions are great and should be expanded. This is where a new user needs to start. In my case, however, I had a moment of panic because the first thing I clicked on was "Driver/Surveyor" and got lost and confused. At the very least, "Learn to Drive" needs to be the top, most prominent choice, impossible for a new user to miss.
-- The launcher has these options: "Start Trainz", "Manage Content", "Trainz Settings", "Purchase Content"
when I launch Trainz I have these options "Driver/Surveyor", "My Collection", "More Content", "Learn to Drive"
-- Notice that "Learn to Drive" is the last thing a new user sees. It should be the first.
-- "Manage Content", "Purchase Content", "My Collection", and "More Content" all look like the same thing. This is a confusing mess for a new user.
-- When I start Trainz, an "Asset Download" dialog box pops up with no explanation, loaded with a bunch of stuff (KUIDs I think), indicating a Payware package. I have since figured out that this is additional content that came with my Steam purchase of TRS2019. I shouldn't have to figure this out; it should come with an explanation and instructions.
-- The auran.com domain has got to go. I have no idea what auran is, nor do I care. I purchased a product called Trainz developed by N3V. The fact that I get redirected to another domain for important services creates nothing but confusion. It also poses security concerns for me, and it severely complicates the registration process.
-- I don't understand what "Trainz Pointz" are, and it sounds a little scammy. I have 200 of them, for what?
-- I don't understand what a "First Class Ticket" is. It has something to do with subscription, but subscribe to what? For what reason?
My overall impression is that Trainz and N3V grew out of a freeware community and there is a lot of legacy stuff that needs to be supported, and there is likely tension that exists between business interests and community interests. The confusing jumble that I experience as a new user is likely the result of conflicting interests and a desire to accommodate many things to many people. That is understandable.
However, if both the business and the community is to survive and grow, greater focus and improvements need to be made to the new user experience.
I have a particular, strong interest in making Trainz work for me and my project, so I am willing to push through the confusion and find answers to my questions. This is likely not the case for a more casual user.