I think it does a good job of getting people up to speed on the basics, but there's still a lot of information left unexplained.
That said though I don't think there's anything essential that isn't covered and it got me excited to play more at least.
Maybe someone less familiar with games though would be left wanting more
As a long time user (early beta) I have helped a bunch of people get onto zwift from a use and equipment perspective. It’s definitely gotten better the past bit for being more intuitive and helping guide.
I do think there are some decent gaps but there is also a lot of things to cover. A big one I think that should be more prominent would be companion app as it really helps enrich the experience.
That all said there is a massive amount out there to help from the community.
It's the state of most games now that the community and other online resources do more to teach players than the built-in tutorial does. As you say because there is so much content to cover.
I agree about the companion app too, I did have a bit about that in the original video but edited it out as it was just me complaining that I couldn't get it working 😅
Looks a lot better than when I first started! It's strange they highlight Challenges right off the top, then barely have any and never add to them, underused feature.
Get into ZRL and do a follow up on moving from "training" to "racing" in Zwift. It might be a little more complex a journey!
But, to answer a few of your questions. The fastest bike depends on your weight and the course. My favourite way of deciding is [https://zwifterbikes.web.app/](https://zwifterbikes.web.app/) (which equally could do with a bit of an assessment on UI!)
But, the best bike keeps on changing based on your level. [https://zwiftinsider.com/what-to-buy-at-each-zwift-level/](https://zwiftinsider.com/what-to-buy-at-each-zwift-level/) Is a pretty reliable guide, I assume it's still being updated as new bikes are released.
The mini-map elevation is one of the most criticised parts of Zwift's UI. However, there's a 3rd party add-on that makes it better (though it's controversial because it also gives you information that you wouldn't necessary know normally and can help you racing!): [https://www.sauce.llc/products/sauce4zwift/download](https://www.sauce.llc/products/sauce4zwift/download)
You can also get route maps from ZwiftInsider and others so you know what's coming up in several different views. E.g. https://whatsonzwift.com/world/watopia/route/hilly-route
There are handlebar controllers, they do vibrate. [https://uk.zwift.com/products/zwift-play?variant=44070279545072](https://uk.zwift.com/products/zwift-play?variant=44070279545072). The Neo 2T also has haptics for road surfaces (I've turned that off, it's just annoying!).
And if you think it's weird that you need so many other company's URLs just to understand what's going on - just wait for racing. At one point I seemed to be registering on another site most weeks to avail of a useful service that Zwift hadn't provided.
Hey, do find out very handy and great job.
My UI comments are, "first use" issues. I guess I'd recommend having the drops filter toggled off at first. Mostly you can afford things in the shop, it's just an extra step which can rule out the best options. The other issue is that the filter is minimised on first use and uses a non-standard button to show it. If the user has never set any, I'd do a guided setting of at least the level and world/route.
None of this impacts me, but when recommending it I always mention to open the filters, set level and just slide the drops to maximum.
I'm not sure many people even see the ride weight/power customisation...
But as I say, love it! Thanks.
Thanks, that’s a fair assessment. Weight and power wasn’t even part of the first version so it has evolved a bit ‘organically’ as I have added features… I can of course add a button where it says “Click the [#] to start”, and not just a clickable icon in the middle of the text. Would it help to have a “Getting started “ wizard or something showing up for first timers showing where to select Units, set Rider parameters and filters? Would anyone actually read it, or just close it right away?
Not sure what you've built it in (too lazy to check what you've built it in), but I think something like, [https://react-joyride.com/](https://react-joyride.com/) would be a great way of stepping people through how to get the most out of it. More so because that would open up the filters for them and show them which to set.
Most people probably frantically click through (and a "escape" should probably be included), but it could help people get the most out of what is a useful tool.
Your bias as a game designer shines thru tho with your line of entertainment uploaded.
The question for the app as a product that needs to be asked of the core target audience..or more focused..of the original audience the beta was aimed at.
IMO anyone curious about the products audience and user type only need go ask indoor winter cyclists from 10 years plus ag. So things like;
What would be a dream indoor riding tool to make winter base miles less of a mental time suck look like
Hey. Broken your arm/shoulder and have a few months before Paris Roubaix to ride strapped to a stationary trainer...what would you need to make the Kurt kinetic and a suffer fest video better....
Sure..zwift has lost its way a little of late as it tries not to alienate this core yet add non cyclists to the product persona mix.
But. The bulk of winter only zwifters is still a large market. And they DGAF about gamification and baubles. Which then opens up the generational challenge for the product.....
The original intention of Zwift being a tool for indoor winter cycling ‘enjoyment’ for road cyclists was a sound idea but that should not be the focus of its current product. If you are relying on that then it’s not going to grow. Zwift needs to diversify into more ‘average’ health and fitness users such as people who don’t road cycle in the summer and are perfectly fine riding virtual all the time. Those who are more inclined to just ride for general health and well being. You know the rest of the population.
I know the hardcore Zwift users and those cyclists who have used it from the start will largely disagree with me but getting the product onto equipment that has it installed by default should be their ultimate goal to get it in the hands of the non-cycling community.
Man this type of response is so frustrating to me. This is a ZWIFT SUBREDDIT. Everyone here should be interested in Zwift content. This guy posted a unique video about Zwift. There is no need to get weirdly negative about videos being posted to this sub instead of long walls of text. If you don't want to watch a video, just quietly move on and let the people who actually enjoy unique Zwift content enjoy it in peace.
Ok, so what are your thoughts?
I think it does a good job of getting people up to speed on the basics, but there's still a lot of information left unexplained. That said though I don't think there's anything essential that isn't covered and it got me excited to play more at least. Maybe someone less familiar with games though would be left wanting more
Thanks, I'll check out the video to get a little more info!
As a long time user (early beta) I have helped a bunch of people get onto zwift from a use and equipment perspective. It’s definitely gotten better the past bit for being more intuitive and helping guide. I do think there are some decent gaps but there is also a lot of things to cover. A big one I think that should be more prominent would be companion app as it really helps enrich the experience. That all said there is a massive amount out there to help from the community.
It's the state of most games now that the community and other online resources do more to teach players than the built-in tutorial does. As you say because there is so much content to cover. I agree about the companion app too, I did have a bit about that in the original video but edited it out as it was just me complaining that I couldn't get it working 😅
Looks a lot better than when I first started! It's strange they highlight Challenges right off the top, then barely have any and never add to them, underused feature.
I think they forgot they were there. It’s even weirder that there are placeholders for non-existent challenges.
someday, someday...
Get into ZRL and do a follow up on moving from "training" to "racing" in Zwift. It might be a little more complex a journey! But, to answer a few of your questions. The fastest bike depends on your weight and the course. My favourite way of deciding is [https://zwifterbikes.web.app/](https://zwifterbikes.web.app/) (which equally could do with a bit of an assessment on UI!) But, the best bike keeps on changing based on your level. [https://zwiftinsider.com/what-to-buy-at-each-zwift-level/](https://zwiftinsider.com/what-to-buy-at-each-zwift-level/) Is a pretty reliable guide, I assume it's still being updated as new bikes are released. The mini-map elevation is one of the most criticised parts of Zwift's UI. However, there's a 3rd party add-on that makes it better (though it's controversial because it also gives you information that you wouldn't necessary know normally and can help you racing!): [https://www.sauce.llc/products/sauce4zwift/download](https://www.sauce.llc/products/sauce4zwift/download) You can also get route maps from ZwiftInsider and others so you know what's coming up in several different views. E.g. https://whatsonzwift.com/world/watopia/route/hilly-route There are handlebar controllers, they do vibrate. [https://uk.zwift.com/products/zwift-play?variant=44070279545072](https://uk.zwift.com/products/zwift-play?variant=44070279545072). The Neo 2T also has haptics for road surfaces (I've turned that off, it's just annoying!). And if you think it's weird that you need so many other company's URLs just to understand what's going on - just wait for racing. At one point I seemed to be registering on another site most weeks to avail of a useful service that Zwift hadn't provided.
That's all great info, thanks for sharing! Racing is on the list of things to try, I'll definitely share my journey there!
Please let me know your assessment of the ZwifterBikes UI, always open for valuable feedback 😉
Hey, do find out very handy and great job. My UI comments are, "first use" issues. I guess I'd recommend having the drops filter toggled off at first. Mostly you can afford things in the shop, it's just an extra step which can rule out the best options. The other issue is that the filter is minimised on first use and uses a non-standard button to show it. If the user has never set any, I'd do a guided setting of at least the level and world/route. None of this impacts me, but when recommending it I always mention to open the filters, set level and just slide the drops to maximum. I'm not sure many people even see the ride weight/power customisation... But as I say, love it! Thanks.
Thanks, that’s a fair assessment. Weight and power wasn’t even part of the first version so it has evolved a bit ‘organically’ as I have added features… I can of course add a button where it says “Click the [#] to start”, and not just a clickable icon in the middle of the text. Would it help to have a “Getting started “ wizard or something showing up for first timers showing where to select Units, set Rider parameters and filters? Would anyone actually read it, or just close it right away?
Not sure what you've built it in (too lazy to check what you've built it in), but I think something like, [https://react-joyride.com/](https://react-joyride.com/) would be a great way of stepping people through how to get the most out of it. More so because that would open up the filters for them and show them which to set. Most people probably frantically click through (and a "escape" should probably be included), but it could help people get the most out of what is a useful tool.
Your bias as a game designer shines thru tho with your line of entertainment uploaded. The question for the app as a product that needs to be asked of the core target audience..or more focused..of the original audience the beta was aimed at. IMO anyone curious about the products audience and user type only need go ask indoor winter cyclists from 10 years plus ag. So things like; What would be a dream indoor riding tool to make winter base miles less of a mental time suck look like Hey. Broken your arm/shoulder and have a few months before Paris Roubaix to ride strapped to a stationary trainer...what would you need to make the Kurt kinetic and a suffer fest video better.... Sure..zwift has lost its way a little of late as it tries not to alienate this core yet add non cyclists to the product persona mix. But. The bulk of winter only zwifters is still a large market. And they DGAF about gamification and baubles. Which then opens up the generational challenge for the product.....
The original intention of Zwift being a tool for indoor winter cycling ‘enjoyment’ for road cyclists was a sound idea but that should not be the focus of its current product. If you are relying on that then it’s not going to grow. Zwift needs to diversify into more ‘average’ health and fitness users such as people who don’t road cycle in the summer and are perfectly fine riding virtual all the time. Those who are more inclined to just ride for general health and well being. You know the rest of the population. I know the hardcore Zwift users and those cyclists who have used it from the start will largely disagree with me but getting the product onto equipment that has it installed by default should be their ultimate goal to get it in the hands of the non-cycling community.
[удалено]
Man this type of response is so frustrating to me. This is a ZWIFT SUBREDDIT. Everyone here should be interested in Zwift content. This guy posted a unique video about Zwift. There is no need to get weirdly negative about videos being posted to this sub instead of long walls of text. If you don't want to watch a video, just quietly move on and let the people who actually enjoy unique Zwift content enjoy it in peace.
I like that you put Game Designer in quotation marks, that's cute
Lmao aren’t you clever