I liked the idea, but the implementation enrages me.
I was optimistic about the new tiles feature at first. I voted for the “I prefer not to see the view count” feature in that one poll because I agree that the current structure of the games page creates a systemic bias in favor of the games that are already at the top of the top and this makes it harder for smaller creators to compete.
But now that they’re out, I really strongly dislike them. Not even because of the tiles themselves. 90% of the reason why I’m upset is because they ruined the homepage. Like… what is this?? I have to scroll through 2 rows of “Recommended for you” followed by a row of “today’s picks” followed by paid sponsored ads before seeing my online friends?
Friends should always be at the top of the home page as they have been for as long as Roblox has been using this site layout. I just feel like I’m being bombarded with advertisements in places where they don’t belong… because I am.
I can tolerate having games below my friends. Roblox can put as many games as they want down there, I won’t mind. I’ll scroll through them and check them out. But something about burying my friends below 3 rows of ads makes me irrationally angry.
People hate being advertised to when they feel like the ads are being shoved down their throat and interfering with their expected experience. My expected experience on the homepage is to see my buddies at the top and some games to play below. I won’t be upset or angry when I see sponsored games below because that’s normal and feels natural. It’s not interfering with anything. But this is obstructive. When I scroll down from my friends list to look at games, I’m looking for games on purpose and I’m happy to check them out. But when I’m scrolling past games to see my friends, I’m doing the equivalent of skipping an ad on YouTube. This is an exceptionally bad design decision.