Mate Engine is a free, open-source desktop companion application designed as a lightweight alternative to commercial offerings like Desktop Mate. It targets users seeking a customizable and moddable virtual pet experience, offering enhanced features and broader compatibility with VRM avatar models.

How It Works

Mate Engine utilizes a Unity-based architecture to render and animate 3D VRM models on the user's desktop. It supports custom shaders, advanced model formats (.ME), and extensive modding capabilities, allowing users to add custom effects, sounds, and animations. The engine prioritizes smooth animation transitions and offers features like eye, spine, and hand movement, touch reactions, and experimental dance animations that react to system audio.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Install: Download the latest ZIP from the Releases section and run MateEngineX.exe.
• Requirements: Windows OS. VRM models are required for functionality; a free Hatsune Miku model is linked.
• Resources: RAM usage is primarily dependent on avatar texture size, with a high-quality model using ~200MB RAM.
• Links: Releases, VRM Conversion Guide, Hatsune Miku VRM

Highlighted Details

• Free and open-source alternative to paid desktop companions.
• Supports custom VRM avatars, modding, and custom shaders.
• Features advanced animations including eye, spine, and hand movement, plus touch reactions.
• Offers performance optimizations like FPS control and smooth animation transitions.

Maintenance & Community

The project is actively developed with a roadmap including Wallpaper Engine integration and window/taskbar sitting. Community support is available via PayPal for donations.

Licensing & Compatibility

App License: Mixed — GNU AGPL v3 & Copyrighted Components. Default Avatar License: All Rights Reserved by Yorshka Shop. QWEN 2.5 1.5b LLM: Apache License Version 2.0. The AGPL v3 license may have implications for commercial use or linking with closed-source applications.

Limitations & Caveats

The application is not digitally signed, which may trigger false positives from antivirus software. Some features like window/taskbar sitting are marked as planned or experimental. VRM model compatibility depends on correct export settings.