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Ask HN: Is building a calm, non-gamified learning app a mistake?

86 points hussein-khalil | 1 comments | 15 Dec 25 15:48 UTC | HN request time: 0.195s | source

I’ve been working on a small language learning app as a solo developer.

I intentionally avoided gamification, streaks, subscriptions, and engagement tricks. The goal was calm learning — fewer distractions, more focus.

I’m starting to wonder if this approach is fundamentally at odds with today’s market.

For those who’ve built or used learning tools: – Does “calm” resonate, or is it too niche? – What trade-offs have you seen when avoiding gamification?

Not here to promote — genuinely looking for perspective.

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karpovv-boris ◴[15 Dec 25 16:15 UTC] No.46276432[source]▶
Could we say that Anki is a non-gamified app for learning?
replies(2): >>46276541 #>>46279462 #
1. siva7 ◴[15 Dec 25 19:46 UTC] No.46279462[source]▶
Anki had always the problem of being difficult to figure out how to use it effectively for learning. It's like C++. A million ways to shoot yourself in the foot if you use it wrong.