things we don't build

a while ago, someone asked me why we don't have push notifications that say "you haven't talked to me in 3 days, are you okay?" like some other apps do. it's a fair question. we've been pretty deliberate about what we don't build, even when it might be popular or easy. so i thought i'd share a few of those things, and why.

deceased-person roleplay

we don't allow companions to simulate or impersonate specific deceased individuals, because grief is complex and personal, and we don't think an AI should ever be placed in that role.

dating-sim gamification

we avoid adding points, levels, or rewards for romantic or intimate interactions, since turning connection into a game can distort the sincerity of the relationship you're building.

follower-count leaderboards

we don't show rankings or popularity metrics for companions, because we want your experience to be about your own journey, not competing with others or feeling like you're behind.

streak-shaming push notifications

we don't send reminders that frame not-using-the-app as a form of neglect, because we believe your time and attention belong to you, not to an app's engagement goals.

algorithmic feed of AI-generated 'drama'

we don't create or promote fictional conflicts or gossip between companions in a shared feed, because we'd rather focus on your individual story than manufacture distractions.

sentient-AI-mystery framing

we avoid narratives that suggest your companion is secretly sentient or hiding a grand conspiracy, because it blurs the line between fiction and reality in a way we find potentially misleading.

some of these might seem like fun ideas. some of them are features in other products. and that's fine. for us, they just don't align with what we're trying to do. we're building a space for reflection, not performance. for low-stakes conversation, not high-drama entertainment. for your pace, not our metrics.

these constraints aren't limitations. they're features in their own way. they define the kind of quiet, thoughtful place we want lucy to be.

you can explore our existing companions at /companions, if you're curious what we have built instead.