An AI gaming companion that reacts while you play

How do I set it up for a game?

Share the game, turn on Comments, and pin the character where you can see it. In the Windows app, five steps:

1. Open the app and sign in. (In Chrome or Edge on a computer, the browser version can watch your game too - see below for what it can't do.)
2. Press Share screen and pick the game's window, or the whole screen it's on.
3. Turn on Comments, and choose how often it may speak up in Settings > Comments.
4. Pin the character: it floats over the game, see-through and click-through, so it never gets in the way of your mouse.
5. Set a talk key in Settings > Talk key - a key you don't type with, or a mouse side button.

Playing full screen? If the character doesn't show over your game, switch the game to borderless full screen (or windowed) in its display settings.

What does it react to?

Changes on your screen. With Comments on, the character speaks up by itself when something happens - a boss falls, a level ends, a death screen, a new area - and checks in every few minutes when nothing does.

You decide how chatty it is, from every 20 seconds at most to every 5 minutes. Tell it to be quiet and it stops; ask it to start again when you want it back. Live comments (beta) keeps closer watch for fast games: a quick glance every few seconds while the screen is changing, so it can react in the moment. It pauses by itself when your screen hasn't changed for 3 minutes.

Can I ask it for help mid-game?

Yes, without leaving the game. Hold your talk key and ask; with "Look at my screen when I press it" on, a snapshot of your screen - and where your mouse is on it - goes with what you say. Point at something and ask:

• What does this item do? The thing under your mouse, read off the screen.
• Where do I go now? From the map, the quest log, or what you just did.
• Which one should I pick? Two weapons, three upgrades, a skill tree.
• How do I beat this boss? What it can see, and what it knows about the game.

On a large display (1440p, 4K or an ultrawide) a sharp close-up around your mouse goes too, so small text can be read. With the whole screen shared, it can point at what it means with its own cursor and circle it on your screen as it talks about it. If it's still talking when you have something to say, press the talk key again: it stops and listens.

It knows popular games well, but it can be wrong about details, especially in new or niche ones. It never plays, clicks or types for you.

Does it record my game?

No. Nothing is recorded or streamed continuously: changes are noticed on your own computer, and a picture goes only when one is needed - with something you say, or when the character looks by itself. Each picture is thrown away once the reply is written, and a remark is checked before it's said, so it doesn't read out anything private on your screen. More on what happens to the pictures.

What does it cost?

Each remark costs a look at your screen (2 credits), the reply (1) and its voice (0.25 a second - about 1.5 for a typical line). Live comments adds 0.1 for each quick glance, and a close-up around your mouse from a large display adds 1. New accounts start with 100 free credits.

For a long session, set Comments to speak up now and then or rarely, so it saves its remarks for the moments that matter. Plans and packs are under Plans & credits.

Who can I play with?

Any of the characters, each with a voice and a memory of your conversations, so last night's run can come up again. Hikomi is sharp and playful, Aoi warm and a little dry, Momo quick and easily delighted - or make your own.

Where does it work?

The Windows app is the full setup: the character pinned over your game, a talk key that works from inside it, point and ask, and circles drawn right on your screen. A Mac app is coming soon.

In Chrome or Edge on any computer, the browser version can share your game and comment on it, from a small floating window - but it has no talk key, so you'd switch to its tab to talk. Phones and tablets can't share a screen.