the simplest way to explain it would be that the usability of something is directly connected with how happy the users would be when using that something, and how happy the users are determines whether the product is good enough in the long run
Take DeviantArt as an example, it was considered THE best G-rated art website a few years ago, and now a lot of users have stopped using the website and would rather stick to social media instead (DA users, I said "a lot", not "all". Don't reply with "Oh I'm still using DA"). Why did that happen? There was a change in UI that was sudden and changed almost everything that everyone had to relearn how to use the website, which is a BIG no in terms of website maintenance, and they didn't revert it at all, I think it's because they thought the users would be patient in learning everything again, which didn't happen, and now DA lost a lot of its users, but it still works as there are still some old users that stayed and new users that didn't have to go through that
Now how is that relevant to itchio? It's having a similar situation where a lot of people are complaining about the same topic, in this case, the tag exclusion feature, and in DeviantArt's case the sudden UI change. I know it's been a long time since we asked for it but we're still here, but I'm sure the active users of Itchio are reducing, I mean look at the recent games, all of them are either low effort, horror, visual novel or all of them, the only ones that can be rated as "good enough" is the occasional big projects and a few of the ones that won game jams, from what I see these two are the only things keeping Itchio alive.
I understand all that. But how do users deserve this change? What makes the devs “owe” users this change? It’s the part I don’t get. We could agree that they “owe it to themselves”, to the “legacy of their work” or something like that. You seem to think it’s in their best interest to make that change. It’s a strange position to be in, affirming you know someone’s best interest when they say it isn’t and when it’s obvious the change you want is in your best interest.
I don’t think itch is here to provide you with the service you are expecting from it.
Let’s say it is though. What good is it repeating it to people who won’t hear your claim? Is this forum a sort of democratic space? Was it ever in any way presented so?
I think you’re assessing the situation very incorrectly and I need arguments to change my view.
Well... to put it simply (from what I've learnt), they owe the users a usable interface and functions because users can switch to better platforms when given the chance, which we haven't.. yet. So.. yeah If there's suddenly a platform with the same features as itchio but with multiple tag exclusion feature, a LOT of people would switch pretty quickly, if said platform is developed in the right ways (feel free to ask about the details).
I’m glad you are willing to make the best of this discussion, which others have failed before. Note that what you are saying is that the devs of itch.io have an interest in adding this feature. That has nothing to do with owing something to users. I already addressed this aspect: the people asking obviously have that interest. I trust Leafo that he knows what their best interest is. They’ve heard you, they just don’t agree with you. For me, that’s the point where I would think about the leverage I can find or drop the case. In a way, this thread is sort of this leverage: showing your number, I just want to remind people that being rude is not how you get people to agree with you. A handful of mere “+1” would do more I guess than 1 good, reasonable point made. I wish you success in your endeavour.
