Starting characters and progression characters
| Smiling Critter | Early Access launch availability |
|---|---|
| CatNap | Available at the start |
| Hoppy Hopscotch | Available at the start |
| Bobby Bearhug | Available at the start |
| DogDay | Available at the start |
| CraftyCorn | Find Lemon and play it in the TV cart |
| KickinChicken | Team deposits 25,000 quota value in one session |
| Bubba Bubbaphant | Beat phase five in one session |
| PickyPiggy | Buy from the Doohickey Den with PlayCoins |
DogDay joined the starting selection for Early Access. Footage from the Open Beta can therefore show a smaller selection without representing the launch roster.
The four progression characters are part of the game. Their objectives differ: CraftyCorn uses the TV cart, KickinChicken uses a session-long team deposit total, Bubba requires completing phase five, and PickyPiggy requires a shop purchase. Check the character screen for completion and the current shop for stock and price.
Check progress before diagnosing a missing character
The Perm-A-Lounge computer is used to track progress and examine earned rewards. Start there when reviewing what your account has achieved, then distinguish a locked default character from a locked alternate appearance.
That distinction matters for the Founders Pack. Its Shining Critters set includes variants for all eight characters, but the CraftyCorn, KickinChicken, Bubba Bubbaphant, and PickyPiggy variants only become available after their default characters are unlocked through progression.
Owning the cosmetic pack does not remove those character requirements.
Choose a character without inventing a class role
The confirmed roster does not establish a tank, healer, scout, or damage class for each Critter. A character's name, animal theme, or cartoon personality is not enough to infer an exclusive gameplay ability.
Choose among the characters available to your account and organize team responsibilities around the task and tools you actually have. There is no verified character-stat comparison here that supports a best-Critter ranking.
Recognize the separate cosmetic routes
Shining Critters come from the Founders Pack. The Project: Playtime Hoodie is an automatic Steam Inventory reward for eligible Project: Playtime players and can be equipped on all eight Critters. Midnight CatNap is tied to the official plush's bonus code.
These appearances have different eligibility rules. If a default character is selectable but one outfit is missing, investigate that outfit's entitlement rather than treating the entire character as locked.
Related guides
Sources and version notes
Prepared from research collected on October 22, 2026. Early Access rules and availability can change. Launch information takes precedence over older beta instructions. These official links provide current product information and updates; they do not verify every gameplay tip.
- Official game information
- Steam store and current requirements
- Official launch and update announcements
- Launch gameplay: character objectives, about 1:04:50
- Launch gameplay: character unlock overview, about 2:02
Specific character objectives are observations from launch gameplay, rather than requirements stated in the official launch announcement. Check the requirement shown in your current roster; PickyPiggy stock and price may vary.