Enhanced Gamification
BetterStep is expanding its gamification system with virtual currency, a marketplace, and an interactive spirit companion to deepen engagement and make recovery more rewarding.
Coming Soon - These features are currently in development.
Crystals - Virtual Currency
Introducing Crystals, BetterStep's native virtual currency that rewards your recovery efforts.
Earning Crystals
| Activity | Crystal Reward |
|---|---|
| Daily check-in | +5 Crystals |
| Complete quest | +10-25 Crystals |
| Complete daily task | +3-8 Crystals |
| Reach milestone | +50 Crystals |
| Maintain 7-day streak | +30 Crystals |
| Rate quest helpfulness | +2 Crystals |
Crystals vs XP
| Currency | Purpose |
|---|---|
| XP | Tracks progress and levels—cannot be spent |
| Crystals | Spendable currency for marketplace purchases |
Both are earned through the same activities, but serve different purposes. XP shows your journey progress, while Crystals let you personalize your experience.
Marketplace
Spend your earned Crystals on digital goods to customize your BetterStep experience.
Digital Goods Categories
| Category | Items | Crystal Range |
|---|---|---|
| Decorations | Virtual flowers, plants, artwork | 20-100 Crystals |
| Backgrounds | Room themes, wallpapers, scenes | 50-150 Crystals |
| Furniture | Chairs, tables, shelves, beds | 30-120 Crystals |
| Lighting | Lamps, candles, ambient effects | 25-80 Crystals |
| Spirit Accessories | Hats, scarves, companions | 40-200 Crystals |
| Special Items | Seasonal decorations, rare collectibles | 100-500 Crystals |
Profile Room
Your personal space in BetterStep that you can decorate and customize:
- Default Room - Simple, calming space to start
- Expandable - Unlock more space as you progress
- Themed Collections - Matching furniture and decoration sets
- Seasonal Updates - New items for holidays and seasons
Spirit - Virtual Companion
Meet your Spirit, a virtual avatar that reflects your recovery journey and responds to your daily activities and emotional state.
Spirit Conditions
Your Spirit's mood and appearance change based on your engagement and check-in data:
| Condition | Triggered By |
|---|---|
| Happy | Consistent check-ins, completed quests, positive mood reports |
| Energetic | Physical activity quests, high engagement streaks |
| Calm | Mindfulness practices, stable mood patterns |
| Still | Neutral state, moderate activity |
| Tired | Missed check-ins, low engagement |
| Sad | Reported struggles, high stress or craving levels |
| Recovering | Returning after a difficult period, rebuilding streaks |
Spirit Environment
Build and customize the world your Spirit lives in:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Choose forest, beach, mountain, garden, or indoor settings |
| Weather | Reflects your mood—sunny, cloudy, rainy, starry night |
| Companions | Add small animals or plants that interact with your Spirit |
| Comfort Items | Beds, cushions, and cozy spots for your Spirit |
Spirit Interactions
| Interaction | Effect |
|---|---|
| Visit Daily | Spirit acknowledges you with animations |
| Complete Quests | Spirit celebrates with you |
| Reach Milestones | Spirit evolves or gains new accessories |
| Maintain Streaks | Spirit's environment flourishes |
| Check-in After Absence | Spirit welcomes you back warmly |
Spirit Evolution
As you progress in recovery, your Spirit can evolve:
| Level | Evolution | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Seedling | Basic form | Start |
| Sprout | First growth | 7-day streak |
| Bloom | Vibrant appearance | 30 clean days |
| Flourish | Full form | 90 clean days |
| Radiant | Special effects | 180 clean days |
| Eternal | Legendary form | 365 clean days |
Benefits
| Feature | Recovery Benefit |
|---|---|
| Crystals | Tangible rewards motivate consistent engagement |
| Marketplace | Creative expression and sense of ownership |
| Profile Room | Safe personal space that reflects progress |
| Spirit | Emotional connection encourages daily check-ins |
| Evolution | Visual representation of long-term growth |
Design Philosophy
The enhanced gamification system is designed to:
- Reward consistency without punishing setbacks
- Visualize progress in meaningful, personalized ways
- Create emotional investment in the recovery journey
- Provide healthy dopamine through achievement and creativity
- Support long-term engagement with evolving content