WHY THIS EXISTS
The story behind Sweet Streaks
I made Sweet Streaks for my girlfriend.
We both struggle with going to bed on time. Not in a dramatic way — in the completely ordinary way where eleven becomes midnight becomes "how is it 1am," night after night, and no app or alarm or stern note-to-self had ever made a dent in it for either of us.
One night we were texting back and forth about it, and I made her an offer, mostly as a joke: if you're in bed on time, I'll give you points.
She wanted to know what the points were worth. Which is a very good question, and the moment the whole thing sparked. Because suddenly we weren't talking about bedtime anymore — we were designing a little game between us. Points for the habits we'd each been meaning to keep. And, to sweeten the deal, a reward system: save up your points and cash them in for things we'd actually make good on for each other — a sweet treat run, breakfast in bed, that kind of thing.
THEN THE GEMSTONES
We love cozy games. So I wanted one more layer — something to collect, something to give. In Sweet Streaks, when you finish everything on your list, you get a perfect day, and a perfect day opens the mine. You go in with your pickaxe, you dig, and you come out with gemstones — common ones most days, rare ones when you're lucky. And then you can send them to each other.
That's my favorite part, honestly. Finishing my own boring habits so I can go dig up something rare and send it to her. Her doing the same for me. A little rock, found by showing up for yourself, given to someone else.
WHAT IT'S REALLY FOR
Underneath the pixel art and the mine and the coupons, this game is one thing: it's for my girlfriend, who I love very much. I want her to accomplish the goals she sets for herself, and I want to be the kind of partner who helps her get there — not by nagging, just by being on the trail with her. Sweet Streaks is what that looks like, built as a game.
If it helps the two of you the way it helps the two of us, then it's doing its job.