#website usability testing

[ronaldtateblog]

Improve Your User Experience: Tips and Strategies

In today’s digital landscape, creating a positive interaction with your product or service is crucial. As Don Norman, the pioneer of user experience (UX) design, once emphasized, UX encompasses all aspects of a user’s interaction with a company, its services, and products. A well-designed product not only looks appealing but also provides an intuitive and seamless interaction, leading to…

[pixelizes]

10 UX Mistakes That Are Costing You Conversions

How to Fix Them?

User Experience (UX) is one of the most critical factors influencing conversions on your website or app. A poor UX can frustrate users, leading them to abandon their journey before completing a purchase or desired action. In this post, we’ll explore 10 common UX mistakes that could be hurting your conversion rates—and how you can fix them.

1. Slow Loading Speed

Problem: If your website takes more than 3 seconds to load, users may leave before even seeing your content. Solution:

Optimize website speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights

Compress images and enable caching

Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

2. Poor Mobile Optimization

Problem: A website that isn’t mobile-friendly leads to a frustrating experience for smartphone users. Solution:

Implement a responsive design

Test across various screen sizes

Ensure buttons and links are easily clickable on mobile screens

3. Complicated Navigation

Problem: If users struggle to find information, they’ll bounce rather than explore. Solution:

Use simple, intuitive navigation

Reduce the number of clicks to reach key pages

Follow UI/UX navigation best practices

4. Lack of Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

Problem: If your CTA buttons are unclear or blend into the background, users won’t know what action to take. Solution:

Use action-focused text like “Get Started” or “Claim Offer”

Apply contrasting colors for visibility

5. Cluttered Layout & Too Much Text

Problem: Overloading users with excessive text or elements can overwhelm and confuse them. Solution:

Embrace minimalist design principles

Use whitespace effectively

Break up content into sections and bullet points for easy reading

6. Annoying Pop-ups & Auto-Playing Media

Problem: Intrusive pop-ups or auto-playing media can negatively impact user experience. Solution:

Use pop-ups sparingly and based on user behavior

Offer value (e.g., discount or newsletter) to justify interruptions

Allow full control over autoplaying content

7. Forms That Are Too Long or Complex

Problem: Long or complex forms can result in form abandonment. Solution:

Keep forms concise

Enable auto-fill where possible

Use progress indicators for multi-step forms

8. Ignoring Accessibility Standards

Problem: A non-accessible website may exclude a large audience and violate legal standards. Solution:

Follow WCAG accessibility guidelines

Ensure high contrast, readable fonts, and alt text

Design for screen readers and keyboard navigation

9. Unclear or Missing Trust Signals

Problem: Lack of trust leads to hesitation during transactions. Solution:

Display trust badges, verified reviews, and client testimonials

Offer secure payment options and clear return policies

10. Lack of User Testing & Feedback

Problem: Relying on assumptions instead of real feedback often leads to UX flaws. Solution:

Use tools like Hotjar or Crazy Egg for heatmaps and session recordings

Conduct usability testing

Collect user feedback through surveys or interviews

Final Thoughts

Fixing these UX mistakes can significantly improve your website’s conversion rate and overall customer satisfaction. Prioritize continuous testing, user feedback, and performance tracking to ensure your design evolves with your users’ needs.

Need help auditing your UX? Contact us for a UX consultation.

[adelllseo]

The user experience design process is evolving at an unprecedented rate, largely driven by advances in artificial intelligence (AI). As businesses strive to enhance digital interactions, AI's role in UX design has become more crucial than ever, offering a sophisticated blend of efficiency and insight. This integration streamlines the design process to ensure that digital platforms are more intuitive, responsive, and tailored to user needs. This post explores how AI is revolutionizing the UX design process, from initial user research to the final stages of implementation, providing practical insights for those considering its adoption.

[highnesssss142]

The user experience design process is evolving at an unprecedented rate, largely driven by advances in artificial intelligence (AI). As businesses strive to enhance digital interactions, AI's role in UX design has become more crucial than ever, offering a sophisticated blend of efficiency and insight. This integration streamlines the design process to ensure that digital platforms are more intuitive, responsive, and tailored to user needs. This post explores how AI is revolutionizing the UX design process, from initial user research to the final stages of implementation, providing practical insights for those considering its adoption.

[adasitecompliance]

WCAG 2.2

Explore the latest in web accessibility with a guide to WCAG 2.2. Enhance your website's inclusivity and compliance!

[aasen56780]

Useful Tools & Utilities — Advancetoolsnetwork

Advancetoolsnetwork are online utilities designed to help with various tasks related to web development, website maintenance, and online communication. These tools can be used by web developers, website owners, bloggers, and anyone who needs to work with web technologies. From HTML and CSS formatters to domain name generators, from SEO analysis tools to privacy policy generators, and from text utilities to network diagnostics, there are many different types of web tools available. These online utilities are often free and easy to use, allowing users to complete tasks quickly and efficiently.

Empower Your Web Endeavors with Advanced Online Tools and Utilities

Introduction:

In today's fast-paced digital world, having the right tools and utilities at your disposal is essential for optimizing web development, design, SEO, marketing, and overall website performance. With over four years of experience, Advancetoolsnetwork Online has emerged as a leading provider of a comprehensive range of online tools and utilities, catering to diverse web needs. From SEO analysis and keyword research to website monitoring and collaboration, their extensive collection of tools empowers individuals and businesses alike to achieve their online goals.

Streamlined Web Development and Design: Advancetoolsnetwork Online offers a suite of web development and design tools that simplify the creation and enhancement of websites. With HTML, CSS, and JavaScript tools, developers can write, validate, and optimize their code for efficiency and compatibility. Designers can leverage various design tools to enhance visual appeal and user experience, ensuring their websites stand out from the competition.

Effective SEO and Website Optimization: Achieving higher search engine rankings and improving website performance are crucial for online success. Advancetoolsnetwork Online provides a range of SEO tools, including analysis, keyword research, and backlink analysis tools, to help businesses optimize their websites and improve their online visibility. Additionally, their website analysis, speed test, security, and performance tools enable users to identify and rectify issues that may hinder website performance and user experience.

Comprehensive Marketing Solutions: To bolster marketing efforts, Advancetoolsnetwork Online offers a suite of tools for content marketing, email marketing, online advertising, and social media management. These tools assist in creating engaging content, managing social media campaigns, analyzing website traffic, and optimizing marketing strategies, ultimately driving greater brand awareness and customer engagement.

Seamless Website Management and Maintenance: Advancetoolsnetwork Online understands the importance of website management and maintenance. Their tools cover various aspects such as website accessibility, usability, testing, monitoring, backup, migration, and localization. These tools enable website owners to ensure their sites are accessible to all users, functioning optimally, and safeguarded against potential threats or data loss.

Conclusion:

With their extensive expertise in web tools and utilities, Advancetoolsnetwork Online is a trusted partner for individuals and businesses seeking to enhance their online presence. By offering a comprehensive range of tools for web development, design, SEO, marketing, and website management, they empower users to streamline their processes, optimize their websites, and achieve their online goals. Whether you are a web developer, designer, marketer, or website owner, Advancetoolsnetwork Online's tools and utilities are invaluable resources that drive efficiency, effectiveness, and success in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

[adiposememes]

Dear tumblr @changes / @wip / @staff,

I left twitter when they changed to the UI design that you are now emulating, because it was so severely inaccessible. At first, I tried continuing to use twitter through tweetdeck, until they officially acquired it as well and proceeded to make it a nightmare to use as well.

I loved tumblr for being unique. It was easy enough to navigate, most of the pages actually had proper redundant navigation to be able to go from one feature to another without needing to backtrack and navigate through a whole other tree of menus to get somewhere. It was good enough.

This new change to copying twitter - a site that is actively dying - is probably one of the worst things you could have done. People should not have to need third party extensions and/or CSS stylesheets to fix your website to make it usable to them.

And then for things to break immediately upon rollout, where the dash is no longer reliable on showing that you're following someone? It really brings to question if there is anyone there focused on quality assurance. Given the amount of feedback posted across the site with people specifically stating how much they're struggling to use the new UI, how broken things are, etc, I'm inclined to believe that there is no testing done at all, even by those coding the changes.

The users of this site want to keep using this site. But you're making it nearly impossible to do so without users having to jump through hoops to make it usable for themselves.

Because hey, spoiler alert: all this effort you think you're making towards drawing in new users and such for additional ad revenue? It's going to backfire on you if the majority of your users leave the service completely, and all you're left with is the porn bots.

Sincerely,

A very disgruntled disabled tumblr user who severely questions your understanding of the definition of accessibility

[sumahless]

Some Tips for new DBH modders

This will have 2 sections :

1 . QUANTIC dream textures - getting them stable throughout the game

2. Handy tool I found for normal maps.

QD TEXTURES - MY TOOL KEEPS BREAKING?

this is for the 2 ppl that actually mod Detroit and want to make their mods public and usable the entire game. and don't know abt this.

As you probably know, models ( containers ) share textures. So when you update a quantic dream texture for 1 model you need to update every single container/model that shares that texture or else it'll look black and crash your game. Why? because your game is expecting the file in qd format for that container when it's a dds file now.

But I'm sure youve noticed after the 3rd or so containers texture being 'refreshed' ( inserting the texture for each use of it in the tool) it just breaks. The only way around this is to tell the game it should expect a dds format manually.

Ok enough yapping. Here’s the tutorial :

Add your texture like you normally would in the editor. Do this for only one model, u can do it for more just before it crashes if u want too it shouldn’t affect it, I haven’t tested it tho.

Enable editing for all the containers/models that use that texture. So it clones it.

Now,, Repeat these steps for every texture that needs to be made into dds format other than the ones you changed in the editor:

1.Using Rk900 (INTO_3) as an example, I swapped the connor into_2 model face texture so now we need to tell the game to expect a dds for nines face. Get the offset of nines’ face  texture. It’s SUPER important that the INTO_3 container is cloned as the offset will be different.

2.go to ( ctrl + g ) to the offset in d26 file. (so 80F5B90F)

3.change the following : we start at ‘0E’ for this example.

Change the 14th and 19th bytes (02) to 01 . it should look like this now

The hex code will change for each texture, but it will always be the 14th and 19th bytes.

4.Repeat for all textures and models that use them :)

Your tool will now load the containers correctly ( they will appear black still, but it will work ingame.)

USEFUL TOOL FOR CREATING NORMAL MAPS:

Normal maps are what gives flat surfaces fake 3d-ness without actually being there ! An example of this is the pores of dbh characters. Normal maps basically allow us to use less polygons which is good for efficiency:))

How do normal maps work ? Well all digital images contain 3 color channels : Red, Green and Blue (RGB) , what normal maps do is assign x,y,z values to these channels. So red would be the x value, green is the y value , blue is the z value . These give us the fake 3d values for each pixel that alter how our game calculates the light ( surface normals ) .

I use this website to generate my normal maps from height maps :

Height maps are black and white images that tell us the height (z value) of each pixel, typically white is high,black is low. Here is an example of the sylus mask I made :

IMPORTANT!! 99% of dbh’s normal maps DONT have a blue channel ( z value) so you HAVE to remove the blue channel completely after generating it from here.

This was how my modified face texture looked like after nuking the blue channel ( in gimp you have to go to colors -> Components -> decompose and delete the blue channel then recompose it )

^^ basically i overlayed the new normal map over connors original one.

Ok thats it. idk if this helps anyone but here u go :P

Pls correct me if I’m wrong abt anything, I’m small brain tbh

[simplyrecources]

How we decorate our simply plural profiles!

Also I won't be showing how to input the markdowns into simply plural! If you want to see them, they can be found here! If you've ever made a rentry, simply plural uses most of the same ones!

If you want any other tutorials or have any questions linked to this then feel free to ask! With this out of the way, here is our tutorial!

Step one: Figure out a template for the information

This is the hardest step- Personally because we are polyfragmented we use the same template for all alters on pluralkit and simply plural.

Making a template can be a pain, however there are many blogs on tumblr who make templates! Just search 'simply plural templates' and you should find accounts that do them! If you want to request, be sure to check their request status and be patient.

However, if you want to make your own, I would recommend this website for finding symbols to use and this one for emoji combos. I would also say that you may want to have your template link to your system name(s) or headspace (ie if your system has links to forest maybe a nature themed template) but obviously it's up to you what you do.

Personally we have a 'basic' template which we copy and paste but change the emoji's/decor of depending on what the alters likes.

-

Step two: Choose a profile picture.

This will help us decide what colors to change certain assets to and/or which ones will look best with the profile. My recommended sites fir finding icons are: Google images, Pinterest, Tumblr.

Searching things like: '[aesthetic/theme/character] icons' or '[aesthetic/theme/character] [color/aesthetic/theme] icons' does tend to bring up results.

But if you don't know what you want '[anime/aesthetic/theme] icons' or '[twitter/tumblr] icons' will bring up results as well.

In the end we settled on making an icon because there was nothing that fitted our alters needs.

-

Step three: Find decor

This can be very hard to do due to the fact that typing in different names for the same assets will give you different results and recourses are constantly being deleted. However, tumblr and personal websites such as carrd and rentry, are good for finding them.

However, if the website (including carrd, rentry or neocities) gets deleted then the image will become blank and won't exist. Discord also now deletes images after 24 hours, so it's not a usable site anymore. Personally, we use tumblr because if the blog gets deleted the assets remain for some reason. We've tested this a few times so far none of the images have broken and we have some from over 6 months ago- But this is subject to change.

Another thing to note is that size does matter, and some images may be too big to fit into the boxes provided by simply plural.

-

These are our recommended ideas, of course this is different for everyone, and we didn't go in depth about certain topics. However I d hope this is useful.

[polyphonetic]

Busy day!!

Yesterday night I was up late doing some math...

Essentially, this program allows me to calculate how many fanfare stacks my C2 Furina gets with my Neuvillette and Xianyun, by allowing me to adjust the delay in seconds of their actions in my combat rotation and analyze the sources and timing of HP drain and HP healing. It was fun, and allowed me to adjust my combat rotation in-game after testing reflected my calculations! :) Plus, it was a fun exercise.

Today though I did some work on Mario Kart 8 modding. So my game instance has various modded character models (uploaded through Game Banana), but not all character models have fully replaced audio files, because that's a lot of painstaking work. However, I've organized a file set-up to make adding audio files easier, and today I put it in action by making .wav audio files associated with the model for The Vessel, from Hollow Knight.

I was able to find source files for all of the in-game sound effects, and did some volume adjustments and such for the ones I wanted. This includes audio states such as getting hit by an item, boosting, hitting someone, activating your glider, etc. For each character there's about 70 audio files, and I have 10 more characters for whom I want to make audio files.

There's complicated steps involving converting all of the .wav audio files to a format more directly usable by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's program, and that's a step I'm not worried about yet. However, I think I want to upload some of these audio mods when they are finished to Game Banana (the modding site), out of appreciation for the free modding work uploaded by many contributors.

I hope that there's maybe a dozen people out there who are interested in having associated game audio for the modded Genshin character models >w<

I suppose if I have a website someday, it'll be a project that I can have listed as like, hey, here's a thing I've done and put out into the world, even if very silly.

[pawborough]

Below the cut is our extensive FAQ! If you have a question, check here first!

How long has PawBorough been in development?

PawBorough has been in development since the summer of 2021.

When will PawBorough be playable?

PawBorough will enter closed Beta for Kickstarter backers in late 2024. Open Beta will proceed to allow entry of non-backer users afterwards. Our current timeline projects an extended period of open Beta for new users to join in late 2024 or early 2025, depending on how many features need tweaking and to what extent. We currently estimate full launch in 2025.

Will PawBorough be free to play? Yes. PawBorough will have premium features, but will not be “pay to play.” 

Where do I download PawBorough?

PawBorough is a browser game with no need for download. However, we are working on an application for mobile devices which will be available to download in the future. There is not currently a timeline for this development. 

Will PawBorough be mobile friendly?

Yes. We are dedicated to mobile usability. Our development of an application is intended to enhance the mobile experience. 

Will you have a suggestions page?

Once we have the game refined and populated, we will be opening a forum for suggestions to improve the user experience. 

Is PawBorough accepting artist applications?

Currently PawBorough is accepting artist applications. If you would like to work as a visual artist on The PawBorough Team, please send your resume and portfolio to pawboroughgame@gmail.com. 

Is PawBorough accepting developer applications?

PawBorough is not in need of developers at this time. 

Can I volunteer for PawBorough work?

For the majority of work, we do not accept volunteer applications. We periodically open volunteer applications for early feature testing. For notifications on when these applications open, keep up with our Kickstarter updates!

What timezone will PawBorough be in? 

PawBorough will function in EST/ET! 

How can I reach out directly to the team?

Please email us at pawboroughgame@gmail.com. All other methods to contact us may not reach us. 

Will you keep the official Discord open after the full launch of PawBorough?

No. After PawBorough launches officially, we will be shutting down our Discord. It is not in our best interest to rely on third party software for communication with our community. Already, this is an issue we take responsibility for perpetuating. We want to ensure all information is sourced to and on our website in a single space. Players are welcome to create their own, unofficial spaces however! 

How can I support the development of PawBorough right now?

We take donations from our PayPal. All donations will go towards our continued development.  You can also support us by spreading the word! Tell your friends about our project, keep informed on our updates, and join the site when we’re live!

Will you have dark mode?

Yes. 

Will there be more breeds/patterns?

PawBorough will continue to add more content over the span of its lifetime.  We have currently committed to 21 breeds in total, but new patterns may be added in perpetuity as the game ages. 

Can cats die? Is there a way to remove them from the game?

Cats do not die from play. The only way to remove a cat from the game is to voluntarily retire the cat. 

What are mystic and domestic breeds? 

PawBorough features seven Boroughs that a player may join. A Borough is a culturally unique location in the world of the game. Each Borough has at least two breeds of origin: a domestic breed and a mystic breed. These breeds come in “pairs.” For every domestic cat, there is a mystical, magical counterpart. We call these pairs an “origin set” or “origin pair.”  In lore, this is explained as normal cat breeds being magically, genetically altered over hundreds of years. As a player, you will be able to switch between mystic and domestic breeds instantly. 

What are the mystic and domestic pairs? What are the origin Boroughs of every breed?

Here are all origin pairs that we have showcased in updates thus far.  Shorthair / Bovine = Harvest Prowler / Thumper = Harvest Ragdoll / Fyret = The Metropolis Longhair / Moontail = Luna Snowfoot / Prancer = Sol Wolf / ??? = Cogwheel Littlefang / Stonehide = ???

Can Domestic Breeds be turned into Mystic Breeds (and vice versa)?

Yes. Here is a graphic of the system we are testing, which incorporates Borough origin: 

Why not just have separate items for every breed? Why the pairs?

This choice was intended to unilaterally flatten the rarity between mystic and domestic breeds, and instead determine rarity by origin set. With an item for every breed, seeding the items would inevitably become imbalanced in some way. This way, Shorthair and Bovines, for example, are equal opportunity for the player.  We did not want to, as a game, incentivize collecting mystic breeds over domestic breeds, thus viewing domestic breeds as a contextually “lesser” option. That has just never been our vision! 

Will some Breeds/Patterns/Colors be more rare than others?

Yes.  Breed rarity will be dependent on the origin pair. Bovines and Shorthairs may be more common than Longhairs and Moontails, for example.  Patterns will have breed and drop rarity.  Colors will be dependent on breeding outcomes. You may use our live kit predictor on our website to view how two colors interact. A brief write-up on how color outcomes for kits are calculated is located here!

How much can you customize your two Founder cats?

You will be able to fully customize the colors and sex of your Founders. You will also be able to select from a pre-selected pool of patterns and breeds, which will be changeable for all cats via items. We are currently working on adding the ability to fully customize white coverage for Founders. The only thing you will not be able to change is the Borough birthplace (eye color.)  We are also considering adding the ability to freely re-access the creator and change your founders at any time. As a general note, your Founders will be incredibly customizable! 

Will kits be able to wear accessories?

Yes! We love that we can do this! This does mean our accessory pool will be more limited. However, kits will be fully customizable!

How will players obtain "Generation 1" cats?

Generation 1 cats are cats which are not born from cats already on the site (i.e “offspring.”) There are several methods to obtain a generation 1 cat, however most notably an item called “incense” can be used to immediately spawn a random generation 1 cat into your camp.  Each Borough will have an incense item which spawns a cat with the eyes of said Borough.  Incense is obtained via crafting. 

Will new colors be added to the demo?

Currently, there are no plans to add new colors, but this possibility is not off the table. 

Will you have feathers behind the ear as an accessory?

No. We are aware that, historically, media with anthropomorphized cats has a history of anti-indigenous themes.  In the interest of respecting indigenous populations, we will not be illustrating any feather-themed accessories without indigenous sensitivity consultation.

Will I be able to attach tags to my cats? Such as #kit?

Yes, we will be implementing a tagging system! 

Will multiple cats be able to have the same species of Fauna companion?

Yes! 

Will there be a way to make my cat stay as a kit forever?

Yes. We will be adding perma-kits as a feature. 

Can you add a nonbinary/third gender pose to the cats?

We would love to, but we’re a small indie team with limited resources. Three poses with full accessory and pattern functionality is already quite a bit of effort for us, especially with the demand of the art style we are committed to!  However, we consider the Mars and Venus poses to be, for all intents and purposes, genderless. The purpose of two adult poses is simply to explore the designs. You will be able to switch between both adult poses at any time via a switch on the cat’s customize page. 

Will there be a pronouns section for a cat's page?

We were asked to add this feature quite a bit, and we did add it! We are currently testing a system which may allow custom pronouns (such as neopronouns) that the game will recognize and use in narration and dialogue. This will help aid our initial reservation to the concept. 

Will there be a way to change a cat's eye type?

Yes, and eye palette too! The only thing you cannot change is the birth Borough (Borough eye color.)

What's the difference between an Accessory and Decor item?

Accessories are pieces of clothing tailored to layer on each cat pose. They cannot be moved from where they sit on the cat. They can only be shifted above or below other Accessories layered onto the cat.  In comparison, Decor items are items which can be shifted, rotated, and resized around the cat. Decor and Backdrop items come together to create a scene! 

Can we change a cat's birth Borough/eye color?

No.  

To what extent will you feature violence or adult content?

PawBorough is for teens and older. Users must be 13 and up to play. This means that we will feature minor use of moderately strong language, mentions of alcohol, and the allowance of art with cartoon blood and violence.  However, photorealistic blood or gore will not be allowed, and we allow absolutely no sexually suggestive content whatsoever. 

Will you have a custom system? How will it work?

This question refers to the concept of allowing custom, user-uploaded art to be created into items and imposed over a cat.  Yes, we will have a system for this. Our custom cat items are called “pelts.”  “Unclipped pelts” will allow for users to draw over the lines of the cat.  “Clipped pelts” will go under the lines of a cat, and be easier to work with Accessories.  Both will be a premium feature, and come with limitations and restrictions to help maintain the visual identity of the game. We will also be implementing a less complex pelt system for Fauna! 

Will you have breeds that resemble big cats?

We will not be featuring any breeds from the Panthera order. This includes lions, jaguars, leopards, tigers, and snow leopards. We also will not be adding cheetahs, due to their cultural association with big cats. In the lore of PawBorough, big cats (and cheetahs) are mythical depictions akin to humans imagining elves!  All other breeds from the Felidae family are on the table. This does include wildcats. 

Will you add more white coverage possibilities?

Uncertain at this time. The idea is on the table, however we’re currently focused on illustrating for all the planned breeds! 

Do you have a “basic” pattern?

No. We do have a pattern called “solid” that may aesthetically resemble a more basic patterning, but we do not have a base-level pattern that users build up from. Instead, all patterns have some degree of rarity and detail. 

Is there a way to change a cat's colors?

Yes. Users will have access to items which randomize a single cat’s colors. 

Can I rename my cats?

Yes! Much like changing the pose, renaming a cat is able to be done anytime via the customization page. 

How will line breaking accents be handled? Won't they clash with apparel?

For those who are unaware, PawBorough features accent genes which may break the silhouette.  The answer to this is: yes, they will! We deliberated over this for some time. However, we are treating line-breaking accents much like other accessories. It will be on the onus of the player to prevent clipping with any other accessories, just as accessories can and will clip with one another.  Line breaking accents will be layerable among accessories, so users can adjust the layering how they like.  From a design standpoint, line-breaking accents will only include biological body modifications. This includes, but is not limited to, horns, teeth, scales, claws, fur, and anything else which would grow from the cat itself. This therefore excludes these attributes from accessories.  Overgrowth is an exception to this rule, due to its inception before the restriction was in place. In lore, Overgrowth is explained as a benign, parasitic, magic-touched plant which lives in cat fur and is easily passed to children of infected parents while nesting. 

Can accents be in any slot? Can I have the same accent in both slots?

All accent genes can be in either slot! However, you may not have the same accent in both slots. Both slots are able to lack an accent at the same time, however. 

What are the default patterns and breeds I can pick for my Founders?

You may create your Founders starting with: Solid Tiger Tuxedo Blotches This list is subject to change. No accent genes will be available for Founders to start with. 

How does breeding work?

Breeding is available between two compatible cats. Users will choose to start a nest with two cats. Users will then babysit the nest until the new kits are ready to enter the User’s camp. Kits will inherit colors and patterns based on the parents. Testing of this mechanic is available on our website!

Can players cancel unwanted nests? Is it possible to accidentally lose a nest?

Nests can be reversed via a Bitter Root item. This is an active choice that the player must click several times to confirm.  Otherwise, nests remain until the player interacts with them and do not expire. 

Can Domestic and Mystic Breeds produce offspring?

Yes! All cats can breed with one another. 

How will Paw Borough prevent inbreeding regarding the cats?

Currently, cats which are related via 5 generations apart cannot breed together. 

Will cats ever be too old to breed?

We have no intention for a feature like this at this time. 

Can cats have multiple mates?

Yes. 

How does white coverage work for breeding?

Random coverage spots are chosen for each kit, with dominant spots passed down and recessive spots having a lower chance of showing. The coverage amount is chosen via the algorithm below. none x none => 90% none, 10% low full x none => 5% full, 10% high, 50% medium, 20% low, 5% none full x full => 90% full, 10% high full x medium => 50% full, 10% high, 40% medium full x high => 90% full, 10% high full x low => 25% full, 25% high, 25% medium, 25% small medium x medium => 5% full, 10% high, 50% medium, 20% low, 5% chance of none high x high => 15% full, 20% medium, 65% high, 10% low high x none => 30% none, 30% high, 25% medium, 15% small high x medium => 10% full, 10% small, 40% high, 40% medium high x low => 60% small, 20% medium, 20% high

How many cats are in a litter?

This is subject to change, but a cat can have between 1-4 kits in a single litter. 

Can I breed my cats to have different eye colors than my borough?

Yes. 

Can I breed my cats with other users?

Yes! We have a system for cross-account nests which will allow two users to both care for a nest and then divide the kits. 

Is there a cap on how much regular currency a player can obtain every day?

There will likely be a cap, but questions like these have become difficult to give concrete answers on until we can simulate the economy in closed Beta!

Will there be events during the game?

Yes! PawBorough will have an onsite story which will be told through events, in addition to holiday events which will give users seasonal item rotations. 

If I miss story events, how can I catch up?

All real-time story events will be documented in an onsite archive which users can visit and read at any time. Campaign events which surround Guild play will be re-playable, which new users can play at any time. 

Will the game have achievements?

Yes. PawBorough will feature a badge and reward system. 

Will there be side/minigames?

At this time, we are focused on a closed gameplay loop which is fun, satisfying, and rewarding without the need for an abundance of generalized minigame designs. We may incorporate unique, one-off minigames for immersion in the future. But it is our hope that they won’t be necessary for an enjoyable game. We would much rather focus our resources towards buffing out the gameplay loop, and accommodating several play styles with it! 

Are there any plans for a battling system for cats?

Yes! PawBorough will feature teams which may register at the Guild. Users will be able to go on missions with their cats and earn rewards, leveling up their team and earning exclusive items in the process. What stats does a cat have? What are they used for?

Cats feature seven statistics: Stamina, Strength, Sense, Smarts, Speed, Savvy, and Sorcery.  A cat's base stat number is divided among these categories. Leveling a cat up will allow the player to build out any given statistical category. Statistics are used for different dynamics in combat (mele, range, healing, dodging, etc.) as well as helping to calculate different daily item yields. Cats can be leveled up both by participating in Guild play and by yielding items.  Each cat also has a Fortune and Doom statistic, which affects good luck and bad luck in RNG and general combat. These two stats cannot be changed. 

Are base stats completely randomized?

Yes, but there is a cap and a weighted bell curve. All Founders start with the same base stat. 

Can I read official lore of the game?

As of right now, we are working on an updated lore page with a more interactive presentation and more meat than our previous iteration. We will notify all social media when we have a new page live. 

How will recolors of accessories work?

PawBorough features a dye system. All items will come in 12 standard colors and may be dyed to any of the 12 colors. Dyes are obtained via crafting.  “Special dyes,” as they are currently called, will feature more unique coloring from the standard item, such as holographic, polka-dot, or pastel. Special dyes will only be applicable to certain compatible items. (And in all cases, a special dye will only work on an item that the standard doesn’t already apply to. For example, if a shirt is polka-dot by default, there is no reason for the shirt to be compatible with the polka-dot special dye.) 

Can I be an Alpha tester? Is Alpha open? 

Alpha applications are available here. If this form is closed, it means applications are no longer accepted.  Alpha is not open as of June 12th, 2024. We will keep active communication and announce when Alpha opens. Applicants who are chosen will receive emails with the appropriate steps. 

If I am chosen as an alpha tester, do I have to sign an NDA?

No. 

How will data wipes happen during the closed Beta?

For context, a data wipe consists of removal of all cats, items, currency, and user content.  A data wipe will NOT wipe the following:  Your account, including your username, credentials, and ID number.  Credit for any money previously spent on your account.  Closed Beta will feature at least one data wipe as the test comes to a close. However, closed Beta will feature as many data wipes as we the developers deem necessary for testing important game dynamics. As an example, we need to test economic balance, and will wipe as necessary to test new pricing and currency distribution. 

Is there a limit to how many Beta Testers there will be?

Closed Beta is limited to the number of Beta Keys sold on our Kickstarter. Population reports put this number at over 1600 keys. 

How much earlier do Early Bird tier codes get into the closed Beta?

Early bird codes allow 3 days of early access! 

Will Luna Stones be tradeable or will they be locked to your account?

All Kickstarter items will be tradeable. 

Are Moontail wings randomly chosen when using a Luna Stone on a cat? What about when you breed a Moontail?

Wing types are random when using a Luna Stone. To change a Moontail’s wing type, an item will be easily available. When breeding, the wing type of the parent will pass down. 

I am a backer. How will I receive my Kickstarter rewards?

With the email you used to back, you will be emailed a code for your beta key(s) and a reward code which will be redeemable onsite for your tier rewards/add-ons. Can I still pledge to the Kickstarter?

No. 

Are the Kickstarter items obtainable since the campaign ended?

No, and yes. We will not be distributing these items again. They are retired. However, when the site is live, you may trade with backers for Kickstarter items. 

Will I lose my Kickstarter rewards after a Beta wipe?

Any redeemable item codes will become redeemable again after a data wipe. 

Account 

Can two or more people share an account?

No. We limit the game to one account per user. If you are caught sharing your account with another person, you may have your account frozen. All items you may lose by choosing to share your account are at your own risk. 

Can system members have individual accounts?

When we say one account per User, we mean User. This means that systems with individual users may have separate accounts. However, any evidence of “funneling,” daily yield transfer, or frequent and egregious transfer of cats or resources which would give a User identifiable advantage over other Users will result in consequences, including but not limited to removal of the aforementioned resources and termination of one or both accounts. 

Can you change your Borough after choosing one at signup?

Yes! 

Can you change your username? Will multiple people be allowed to have the same username?

Your username will be changeable. No two accounts may share a username. 

Am I allowed to have a "side" account?

Accounts are limited to one per user. Evidence of frequent cross-account trading which implies the existence of a side account will result in investigation and consequence. 

What is the character limit on usernames?

18. It is the same for cat names. 

Will I get my account banned if a housemate and I both play PawBorough, and you recognize the same IP address?

No. In fact, we are rather lenient and understanding of this. We only will take administrative action if the cross-account activity is egregiously imbalanced and rewards one player with a clear, identifiable advantage over other players. 

Can players terminate their own account?

Yes. 

How many accounts will be reserved for staff use?

The first 10 account IDs will be reserved for staff use. This number may be subject to change. 

Is there a referral system? Are there any rewards for referring people?

We are developing a referral system in tandem with our badge system. Our system will reward referring players with a payout every time their referee(s) completes an achievement and earns a badge. 

Can I use a cat I made in PawBorough as an original character / purchase commissioned art of this character?

Yes, we love it! However, no content featuring our doll art may be used commercially. You may not profit off of our exact images. We also require that any public use of our art or designs be credited back to our website.

Can I use cats in offsite roleplay? Do I need to give credit? Can I go make my own story out of my PawBorough characters?

Yes. Credit requirement largely depends. If you use an image from the site, you must credit us. If you’re using a mystic design of ours, those creature designs are owned by us. We would prefer if you did not completely divorce them from our game and give us credit for the creature design. Under no circumstances may you use any mystic designs in commercial content.  However, we don’t own the concept of a generic cat character. If you create and name a domestic cat in our game, you’re welcome to take it elsewhere and do anything you damn well please with it! Again, so long as you credit any use of our images, and use none of our images commercially!  Also, for clarity, we don’t own the concept of moth cats or cow cats, but our specific design elements in tandem with the breed titles are attributed to us. You’re totally free to make a moth cat design for your own use! 

Are we allowed to trade art for beta keys with other users?

Yes.

Is offsite trading allowed?

For beta keys, yes, but at your own risk. Note that many games of our genre disallow cross-site trading with games in development, or altogether. We do not allow nor endorse disregarding the TOS of other games.  We are considering an embargo on cross-site trading of cats, items, and site currency both during Beta and for a brief initial launch period. This is to help preserve the microcosm of our onsite economy and grow it to a healthy, prosperous size before introducing the possibility of cross-site scalping. We hope you understand this decision. We’ll keep forefront communication with Users on these policies during the game’s lifespan. 

Can I sell my Kickstarter rewards for real-life currency?

No. This will never be allowed. 

Can I trade my Kickstarter rewards for digital or physical art?

Yes. Art as a traded good would not be counted under the cross-site embargo. If any cross-site content is included in conditions of the trade, it would be considered illegal. 

Will there be a safe way to exchange premium currency for regular currency with other players?

Two-step cross-account trading will be in place. Both players will have to approve a supposed trade before it will activate. 

[carriesthewind]

Bye, I guess

Hi folks: I’ve enjoyed my time on tumblr while it lasted. Unfortunately, the new dashboard makes the site so unpleasant to use that I’m afraid that enjoyment (and thus my use of the site) has come to an end. I still have some reblogs queued up, and I may pop in now and then, but don’t expect me to be around much anymore.

For the record, here is the support request I put in yesterday:

Why is my dashboard now twitter. This format sucks. It's always sucked. It feels absolutely horrible to use on desktop (which I do exclusively and that will not change). This horrible ui is a big part of why didn't really use twitter (it sucked then to).

Here is tumblr’s answer:

Hello,  Thanks for reaching out to Tumblr Community Support and sharing your thoughts on the new dashboard layout. We often test new ways to make Tumblr better. It sounds like your account may have been selected to experience a test of one of these improvements. Thanks for your patience while we work on this! You may see your Tumblr experience return to normal as we continue testing.  Kind regards,  Chris

(Please note, this appears to be a copy-paste form response. You can see another example of it here.)

Here was my response:

Hi Chris! I "may" not see my Tumblr user return to normal, because I'm not returning to Tumblr until it is reasonably usable again for me. This "experiment" is effectively an update that has made the site so unpleasant for me to use that I will not be doing so. What will tumblr being doing to allow me to use the site? I do not appreciate being told that my support ticket is "sharing [my] thoughts on the new dashboard layout." I neither asked or appreciate being selected taking part, without my knowledge or consent, in an experiment to allow a company to do product development. My ticket is not my "thoughts on the new dashboard layout." It is my report that the site is effectively not usuable. Furthermore, while not illegal, human experimentation is generally considered unethical without proper consent and review process. If my dash returns to a status that I can use: 1) What guarantees do I have that tumblr will not experiment on me again?  2) What other experiments does tumblr think it is ethical to do on me without proper consent? Kind regards to Chris, and explicitly not to your employer.

24 hours later, I have not received a follow up response.

I was originally going to write a lot more about why I think this is such an atrocious set of moves and responses by tumblr, but I realized that being on the site long enough to format and post it (I’m doing this writing on my desktop) would be too unpleasant to make it worthwhile.

Instead, I want to make two quick notes about traps I see people falling in to:

1) Tumblr is not your friend. It is a company that wants to use you to extrude profit. This hold true regardless of whether it is shaped like a shareholder’s report, a formal staff post, or a blog that looks just like a user like you. Regardless of its form, it is no more your friend than the “intern” who runs a corporate brand account.

2) It is fine to pay money for a product you enjoy. This product might be a digital sticker or a minigame on a website, or some form of subscription to the site itself. However, if you are not enjoying a product, or if you feel that the product is bad or exploitative, you have no obligation to invest in it. And you should be particularly wary when a for-profit business is attempting to make you, as a customer, feel emotionally and personally invested in supporting that business (whether that be in terms of time, energy, or money).

Anyway, I’m still hoping that I will be able to unpin this post at some point, but for the foreseeable future: bye!

[adelllseo]

UX/UI

Exploring the Intersection of UX/UI Design and Mobile App DevelopmentIn today's digital landscape, mobile app development is at the forefront of innovation, with user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design playing a critical role in shaping successful applications. This article explores how UX/UI design and mobile app development intersect to create seamless, functional, and visually appealing apps that meet user needs and business goals.---The Importance of UX/UI Design in Mobile App DevelopmentUX/UI design serves as the foundation of mobile app development, ensuring that users interact with apps effortlessly while enjoying a visually engaging interface.User Experience (UX): Focuses on the overall feel of the app, emphasizing usability, accessibility, and efficiency. It ensures users can achieve their goals without frustration.User Interface (UI): Deals with the aesthetic aspects, including typography, color schemes, and layout, creating an intuitive and visually appealing interface.When combined, UX and UI design drive user satisfaction, loyalty, and engagement, making them indispensable to the development process.---Key Elements at the Intersection1. User-Centered Design:Both UX/UI design and app development prioritize understanding user needs and preferences through research, personas, and journey mapping.2. Prototyping and Testing:UX/UI designers create wireframes and prototypes to visualize app functionality, while developers refine and test these designs to ensure technical feasibility.3. Iterative Development:Continuous feedback loops between designers and developers enable ongoing improvements, aligning design concepts with real-world user behavior.4. Performance Optimization:Developers ensure the app performs efficiently, while UX/UI designers minimize cognitive load through intuitive navigation and layout design.5. Cross-Platform Consistency:UX/UI designers maintain consistency across iOS and Android platforms, while developers ensure compatibility without compromising functionality or aesthetics.---Emerging Trends in UX/UI and Mobile App Development1. Dark Mode Design:Enhances visual appeal and reduces eye strain, requiring developers to adjust codebases to accommodate different themes seamlessly.2. Voice and Gesture-Based Interfaces:UX/UI designers integrate voice commands and gestures, while developers work on advanced algorithms for accurate recognition.3. Personalization:Data-driven designs allow apps to adapt to individual preferences, with developers building robust back-end systems to support personalization.4. Micro-Interactions:Subtle animations and feedback loops designed by UX/UI experts are implemented by developers to boost user engagement.5. Accessibility:Designing for inclusivity involves creating apps accessible to people with disabilities, combining thoughtful design with technical adaptability.---Collaboration Between UX/UI Designers and DevelopersEffective collaboration between UX/UI designers and developers is essential to create apps that are both functional and delightful.Clear Communication: Regular meetings and design reviews foster understanding of design and technical constraints.Shared Tools: Platforms like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch bridge the gap, enabling designers to hand off assets directly to developers.Agile Methodology: Iterative workflows keep both teams aligned on project goals and timelines.---ConclusionThe intersection of UX/UI design and mobile app development is where innovation meets functionality. By prioritizing user needs, maintaining effective collaboration, and staying ahead of trends, designers and developers create mobile applications that not only meet but exceed user expectations. In an ever-evolving digital landscape, this synergy is the key to delivering apps that resonate with users and drive business success.Would you like assistance with visuals or infographics to accompany this article?

[highnesssss142]

UX/UI

Exploring the Intersection of UX/UI Design and Mobile App DevelopmentIn today's digital landscape, mobile app development is at the forefront of innovation, with user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design playing a critical role in shaping successful applications. This article explores how UX/UI design and mobile app development intersect to create seamless, functional, and visually appealing apps that meet user needs and business goals.---The Importance of UX/UI Design in Mobile App DevelopmentUX/UI design serves as the foundation of mobile app development, ensuring that users interact with apps effortlessly while enjoying a visually engaging interface.User Experience (UX): Focuses on the overall feel of the app, emphasizing usability, accessibility, and efficiency. It ensures users can achieve their goals without frustration.User Interface (UI): Deals with the aesthetic aspects, including typography, color schemes, and layout, creating an intuitive and visually appealing interface.When combined, UX and UI design drive user satisfaction, loyalty, and engagement, making them indispensable to the development process.---Key Elements at the Intersection1. User-Centered Design:Both UX/UI design and app development prioritize understanding user needs and preferences through research, personas, and journey mapping.2. Prototyping and Testing:UX/UI designers create wireframes and prototypes to visualize app functionality, while developers refine and test these designs to ensure technical feasibility.3. Iterative Development:Continuous feedback loops between designers and developers enable ongoing improvements, aligning design concepts with real-world user behavior.4. Performance Optimization:Developers ensure the app performs efficiently, while UX/UI designers minimize cognitive load through intuitive navigation and layout design.5. Cross-Platform Consistency:UX/UI designers maintain consistency across iOS and Android platforms, while developers ensure compatibility without compromising functionality or aesthetics.---Emerging Trends in UX/UI and Mobile App Development1. Dark Mode Design:Enhances visual appeal and reduces eye strain, requiring developers to adjust codebases to accommodate different themes seamlessly.2. Voice and Gesture-Based Interfaces:UX/UI designers integrate voice commands and gestures, while developers work on advanced algorithms for accurate recognition.3. Personalization:Data-driven designs allow apps to adapt to individual preferences, with developers building robust back-end systems to support personalization.4. Micro-Interactions:Subtle animations and feedback loops designed by UX/UI experts are implemented by developers to boost user engagement.5. Accessibility:Designing for inclusivity involves creating apps accessible to people with disabilities, combining thoughtful design with technical adaptability.---Collaboration Between UX/UI Designers and DevelopersEffective collaboration between UX/UI designers and developers is essential to create apps that are both functional and delightful.Clear Communication: Regular meetings and design reviews foster understanding of design and technical constraints.Shared Tools: Platforms like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch bridge the gap, enabling designers to hand off assets directly to developers.Agile Methodology: Iterative workflows keep both teams aligned on project goals and timelines.---ConclusionThe intersection of UX/UI design and mobile app development is where innovation meets functionality. By prioritizing user needs, maintaining effective collaboration, and staying ahead of trends, designers and developers create mobile applications that not only meet but exceed user expectations. In an ever-evolving digital landscape, this synergy is the key to delivering apps that resonate with users and drive business success.Would you like assistance with visuals or infographics to accompany this article?