PoE is not exactly a simple game. It's highly complex and some might even call it bloated. This makes maintaining and designing a good UI/UX for FilterBlade quite a challenge.
Today I want to address that by suggesting some larger FilterBlade UI changes and want to hear your opinion on it!
Modern software Development is a cyclical process. You design, refine, implement, test, get feedback. I'd like to assure you all that whatever we change:
We want to hear your feedback and want it tested first!
We'll consult UI/UX experts and the community
We'll take as many iteration cycles as it takes
We won't remove core functionality.
So here are some of the core problems I'd like to address and potential solutions:
PROBLEM 1: The workflow with "My Filters" and "Export" is not straightforward.
SOLUTION 1A: We're looking into implementing a workflow that resembles common tools like PoB and Office tools. When you open a 'filter project' FilterBlade will scope on it and you'll have a 'Back to my filters' button.
PROBLEM 2: Several screens have way too many UIs/buttons
SOLUTION 2A: The lootsimulator will be split into multiple tabs, many niche things will be put into collapsible accordions, the whole UI will be revamped to be more straightforward
SOLUTION 2B: The overview tab will be simplified. There's just too much going on at the same time. Some features like 'Compare Styles' and 'Compare Strictness' will be moved into the advanced tab. We'll combine it with a general lootsimulator overhaul! There will be new features: like forcing the generated items to be unique or fractured
PROBLEM 3: Some customizer tabs have become SUPER long and the customizer is hard to navigate and quickly do adjustments.
SOLUTION 3A: The customizer will have 2 modes/views. In the compact mode, you'll be able to 1-click activate/Deactivate rules. You'll be able to switch between them with 1 click and have an option available to have your preferred view.
SOLUTION 3B: We're experimenting around with a 2-Tab system on FIlterBlade. On the left side you'll have the customizer navigation tree + search + bookmarks. On the right side the content of whatever tab you're showing.
This is very much akin to your classical windows explorer view. You know this one:
SOLUTION 3C: We're revamping the styles, font colors, geometry and font sizes of everything on FilterBlade. Giving FilterBlade a bit of a more modern coat of fresh paint will help navigation by improving UX!
Thanks for reading.
We would SUPER appreciate feedback!
The poll is a bit weird, but I'd like to hear which of the following vote options apply to you: