I built a to-do app that hatches creatures because I couldn't make myself do anything
The confession first I am a software engineer. I ship things for a living. And I have never once, in my adult life, opened a to-do app and felt anything. I have a very specific flavor of procrastination. It is not "I'll do it tomorrow." It is "I will reorganize my entire dotfiles repo, migrate my terminal to a different shell, and read four blog posts about keyboard layouts before I touch the one…
Once a software engineer, the author discovered a unique solution to their own procrastination. They built a to-do app called Dunbit, which rewards users with hatching collectible creatures for completing daily tasks. This gamified approach provides accountability and a sense of achievement. The app's architecture is built on server-authoritative design, ensuring that game values and content are managed on the backend, enabling quick adjustments without needing to deploy new versions.
Dunbit features a rarity engine that subtly influences hatch probabilities based on factors such as streaks and accountability partners. The author emphasizes the importance of invisible mechanics in creating enjoyable experiences, as players are more likely to appreciate good luck when they are unaware of the underlying design.
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