Character House: Desktop Companion allows you to display and manage multiple custom avatars simultaneously on your screen. Developed by Yinengjie (ElfArtWorld) for PC on Steam, the desktop pet simulator lets you build distinct companions, line them up during work sessions, and trigger social interactions by placing them together.
Managing multiple characters involves specific controls for positioning, relationship settings, and performance management to prevent your screen from becoming cluttered.
How to Create and Add Multiple Characters
You do not need to delete or overwrite your current companion to build a new one. Adding additional characters is handled through the in-game profile and studio system:
- Right-click any active character or access the main application launcher to open the profile and character selection menu.
- Select an empty character slot or choose the option to create a new companion.
- Use the studio interface to customize your new avatar. The editor provides customizable categories along the left sidebar, including skin tone, eye shapes with independent color toggles, multi-layered hairstyles with gradient controls, clothing sets, and accessories.
- Fill out the ID setting card, assigning a name, nickname, identity, and personal preferences (such as dreams or hated foods), which the character will reference during dialog.
- Click Save to finalize the design. Once saved, the new character will spawn directly onto your desktop alongside your existing companions.
Character Limits: Demo vs. Full Game
The number of characters you can have active at once depends on the build of the game:
- Steam Demo Limit: In the standard public demo, players can actively host multiple companions, though gameplay testing shows a default cap of four characters at one time.
- Planned Full Release: Store page details and developer preview screenshots demonstrate that the full release plans to support at least eight active characters simultaneously on screen. The full game will also introduce online social visits, allowing friends to visit your desktop setup.
Group Controls and Desktop Positioning Tricks
When multiple characters are wandering across your monitor, managing their positions individually can disrupt your workflow. Several built-in tools make handling groups straightforward:
Bulk Alignment Using Sit-in-a-Row Mode
Instead of manually repositioning each companion, use the typing mode (Sit-in-a-Row Mode). Right-clicking to activate typing productivity mode automatically gathers multiple characters into a single work line or shoos them toward your active window border. Disabling the mode or switching back lets you quickly tidy a cluttered desktop.
Precision Moving
While standard left-click dragging moves a companion across the desktop, small models can be finicky to grab. As confirmed in the developer update notes, right-clicking a character and holding the button allows the character to obediently follow your cursor, providing smoother placement.
Handling Multiple Monitors
The overlay cannot simply have characters dragged seamlessly across physical monitor borders using standard Windows drag-and-drop. To move a character to a secondary display, right-click the specific companion and select Switch monitor.
Recovering Off-Screen Characters
Companions set to Auto walk can occasionally wander past the edge of the visible display. If a companion disappears, do not restart your entire save. The update on September 21, 2026, added a direct recovery option: right-click the Character House icon in your Windows taskbar and select the character reset function to snap lost avatars back to the visible desktop.
Companion Interactions: Bonding and Relationships
Placing companions in close proximity unlocks character-to-character dynamics:
- Proximity Awareness: Dragging one character directly next to another causes them to face each other.
- Bond vs. Argue: Once two companions meet, a prompt appears asking if you want them to bond or argue. Confirming the interaction triggers conversational banter where companions chat about their interests and setting cards.
- Relationship Profiles: After establishing an initial acquaintance, you can manually set relationship statuses (such as friends or partners). The relationship system allows asymmetrical settings, meaning one character can view another as a close friend while the other companion holds a different dynamic.
- Manual vs. Autonomous Interactions: In the demo version, characters do not autonomously walk up to each other to initiate complex social scenes or arguments on their own; interactions require you to drag companions together manually.
Managing System Resources with Several Characters
Running several animated overlays alongside regular PC work or gaming sessions can impact hardware performance. You can optimize your setup using the following built-in toggles:
| Setting | Location | Recommended Usage for Multiple Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Frame Rate Selection | Settings Menu | Cap at 30 FPS or 60 FPS to reduce CPU/GPU load when running several characters at once. |
| Always on Top Toggle | Taskbar Quick Pin | Turn off during full-screen games so a group of companions does not block game elements. |
| Auto Walk Toggle | Right-Click Menu | Disable on individual characters to keep them stationary and prevent window overlapping. |
| Size Scaling | Right-Click Menu | Scale character models down (e.g., default 1.0x or smaller) so multiple companions fit along screen edges. |
| Disable Counter | Settings Menu | Turn off keystroke/mouse tracking if you prefer passive display without typing animations. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can characters interact automatically without player intervention?
In the current demo build, companions wander on their own if Auto walk is enabled, but they do not automatically initiate conversations, dances, or arguments. Players must manually drag two companions into contact to trigger the interaction prompt.
How do multiple characters earn level-up skill points?
When in productivity mode, mouse clicks and keystrokes register on a visible counter. This interaction counter accumulates across your active companions, unlocking character skill points used to learn expressions (such as Shy, Anger, and Cheerleading) and unlock wardrobe tiers.
What should I do if my taskbar icon or characters turn into a black box?
Rendering glitches where transparent desktop windows turn black or fail to register clicks are known issues under Proton/Linux environments and certain display drivers. For Windows setups, use the taskbar character reset.
