Solo Leveler: A Gamified Self-Improvement Web Application Using RPG Progression Mechanics

Human motivation and habit formation remain persistent challenges in self-improvement contexts. Traditional task management systems lack the engagement mechanisms necessary to sustain long-term behavioral change. This paper presents Solo Leveler, a web-based gamified self-improvement platform inspired by Role-Playing Game (RPG) progression systems. The application maps real-world tasks and goals onto game mechanics—including experience points (XP), character leveling, skill trees, streaks, and a competitive leaderboard—to drive sustained user engagement. The system is built using a React/Vite frontend, a Node.js/Express REST API backend, MongoDB for persistent storage, and Socket.IO for real-time event broadcasting. An OAuth 2.0 integration with Google enables frictionless authentication alongside traditional JWTbased registration. A tiered quest system (daily, weekly, boss, and custom quests) combined with four categorical skill trees (Health, Knowledge, Productivity, Creativity) provides structured pathways for users to pursue diverse self-improvement goals. Preliminary usage data and design analysis demonstrate that the gamification layer increases task completion intent and provides richer behavioral feedback than conventional to-do applications.