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u/softdeveloper23

Image 1 — I got tired of shallow gamification in focus apps. So I built a hardcore gamified focus timer.
Image 2 — I got tired of shallow gamification in focus apps. So I built a hardcore gamified focus timer.
Image 3 — I got tired of shallow gamification in focus apps. So I built a hardcore gamified focus timer.
Image 4 — I got tired of shallow gamification in focus apps. So I built a hardcore gamified focus timer.
Image 5 — I got tired of shallow gamification in focus apps. So I built a hardcore gamified focus timer.
Image 6 — I got tired of shallow gamification in focus apps. So I built a hardcore gamified focus timer.
▲ 6 r/gamification

I got tired of shallow gamification in focus apps. So I built a hardcore gamified focus timer.

Hey everyone. As someone who has been gaming since the 80's (I'm old), I find these tracking apps (habit, focus, fasting) very lacking. They are fine for people who want to just get on, log something, and get off. That's not for me!

I've tried a lot of gamified productivity apps out there (Habitica, Forest, etc.). They are alright, but I kept finding the same two problems:

  1. The gamification felt incredibly shallow.
  2. It did not keep me engaged or interested in the app.

So I decided to build what I actually wanted as a gamer.

I'm a disabled US Army vet with a software engineering degree from 2013 that I never used. After years of sitting on the sidelines watching other people launch apps, I challenged myself to build 10 iOS apps in 2026. App #2 is my answer to the focus timer problem.

It's called Mana: Focus Evolved.

  • The Lore: Instead of just earning points, it has a deep, interconnected lore system with stories, a complex economy, and actual stakes.
  • The Hardcore Mechanics: It hooks directly into Apple's Screen Time API. When you start a focus session, it actually blocks your distracting apps. The only way to unlock your app again is by completing the real-life tasks you set for yourself or suffer an in-game loss (damage to your Mana pool).
  • Advanced Modes: The Gauntlet, The Crucible, and Bounty Boards.
  • A collection system: Collect Avatars and Gate Skins.
  • Loot: Different rewards and loot drops that make the app less punishing while you are leveling up.

Here is the reality check: The app is almost finished (still have to add more images and update lore/stories), but because it uses the Screen Time API to block apps, I have been stuck in Apple's review purgatory waiting for a special entitlement since April 26th.

So while I sit here fighting Apple's bureaucracy, I'm opening up the beta waitlist.

I'm also in the middle of App #3, called Habitual: The Grand Journey (a gamified habit-tracking app).

Sidenote: First 4 screenshots taken from Mana, last 2 from Habitual.

I am documenting the entire 10-app journey, the technical hurdles, and taking TestFlight signups over on my Substack.

If a hardcore, truly gamified focus timer sounds like something you'd use, drop a comment on what features you hate in current apps, or jump on the waitlist: Go directly to the app site to join.

u/softdeveloper23 — 6 days ago
▲ 1 r/buildinpublic+1 crossposts

Hey everyone. I’m here just waiting on Apple to approve me for Family Controls (Distribution). It’s been about 2 weeks or so, and it has killed some of the momentum I had.

App #1 is out on the App Store (Think Drink). App #2 (Mana: Focus Evolved) is a gamified focus timer, but it requires Screen Time API entitlements. I submitted the request to Apple back on April 26, and they have just put me in the corner, I guess. My app is beta-ready, but I can't even get a TestFlight link because I'm trapped in Apple's purgatory.

So instead of just playing an unhealthy amount of Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred while I wait, I decided to continue to be productive and start building App #3 (Habitual: The Grand Journey). I’m currently sitting here with Austin Powers on the TV, working on overhauling Habitual features using Antigravity, and refusing to let Apple kill my momentum.

Sidenote: My goal is to have 10 high-quality apps in the App Store in 2026. That’s why I am labeling the apps by number.

I’m honestly willing to bet that I finish coding App #3 before Apple actually approves App #2. It’s a bit tough juggling 2 apps at a time cause Mana still needs some work before going live on the App Store, but I’m actually learning A LOT more working between two apps at the same time.

Have any of you worked on multiple apps at once? I find that I’m actually bouncing features and ideas back and forth between the two. It’s really great, but feature creep is becoming a pain. 

Anyways, back to work. Thanks for reading my rant. Take care!

P.S. Since I’m doing this 10-app challenge, I started writing a Substack about the realities of building apps this fast with AI. If you want to follow the journey or beta test the apps, I'm documenting it here on my Substack.

P.P.S. I added 2 screenshots of Mana and 2 of Habitual if anyone wanted to see.

u/softdeveloper23 — 7 days ago