Character House -Desktop Companion- Demo
A free idle collection game that puts a customizable companion on your desktop. It keeps you company while you work, earns rewards while you are away, and already passed 200,000 wishlists one month after the demo launched.
The demo is free and it is the only build available right now - the full game is still listed as 2026 with no exact date and no announced price. If any site charges money for a "Character House download," it is not the real thing.
What the demo actually is
Developed by Yinengjie, Character House is an idle collection game dressed as a desktop pet. You mix and match hundreds of parts to build a character that lives on your screen.
Standing Mode
Your companion stands on the desktop and wanders around from time to time - a pet that just hangs out.
Sit-in-a-Row Mode
Keeps you company while you work and syncs its animation with your keystrokes.
Hiding in the Corner
Lurks at the edge of your screen and watches quietly without getting in the way.
Idle rewards
Earn rewards even while AFK - pull and craft accessories, then dress your character up.
Personality
Rich animations and expressions let each character show its own personality as it grows.
Visit friends
An online feature lets your companion visit friends' characters.
Custom Upload
Added in mid-October: you can now draw your own parts - hairstyles, facial features, outfits and accessories - and load them into the game.
- 1Open the in-game Custom Tutorial
The demo ships with a tutorial that explains the part templates and upload flow step by step.
- 2Use the official templates
Templates for each part type are published by the developer - grab them from the tutorial link inside the game.
- 3Upload and mix
Custom parts combine with the built-in library, so you can blend hand-drawn pieces with official accessories.
System requirements
The demo is light - almost any PC from the last decade runs it.
| Minimum | |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) / macOS 10.15 Catalina |
| Processor | Intel Core i3 / AMD equivalent |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics | DirectX 11 compatible |
| Storage | ~512 MB |
Linux note: it can launch under Proton, but community reports flag a black opaque background instead of a transparent overlay unless you tweak display layer settings - it is a desktop-overlay app, so Proton support is rough.
FAQ
Is the Character House Desktop Companion demo free?
Yes - the Steam demo is completely free, and it is currently the only playable build.
When does the full game release?
The store page lists a 2026 window with no exact date. The demo has been live since mid-September 2026.
Does the demo work on Mac?
Yes - Steam lists both Windows and macOS support. Interface, audio and subtitles cover English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean.
Do demo rewards carry to the full game?
The developers have not confirmed carry-over. Treat collected accessories as demo progress for now.