Desktop Goose is a virtual pet designed to add a bit of fun to your daily computing experience. The star of this free app is a pixelated goose that can take over your computer’s desktop by randomly waddling across your screen, chasing your mouse, and even dragging images into view while you’re using other programs.
Designed by independent developer Sam Chiet, aka Samperson, Desktop Goose offers some clever twists to what’s admittedly a very simple premise. Chiet, the self-described maker of “dumb-smart things,” earned notice in 2020 with Desktop Meadow, which creates a slowly growing meadow on your screen. While the previous app was tranquil, the goose game character is intentionally more distracting and even annoying, especially if you leave your sound on and you suddenly hear his honking quack.
A new type of screen companion
Why would you want to add a virtual pet like Desktop Goose to your computer? Once a relic of the internet’s early days, screen companions are making a retro comeback for those who like breaking the monotony of cold, computer interaction. They humanize your screen and are designed to provide a healthy distraction.
Desktop Goose is cute and whimsical like most screen buddies. However, this virtual pet takes the distraction up a notch into the realm of mayhem. Inspired by the Untitled Goose Game, which became a source of memes in 2019, Desktop goose is gleefully annoying.
Desktop Goose is easy to run and customize
Desktop Goose is fittingly easy to run on your computer. After you download Desktop Goose, you will then extract the ZIP files and choose the location where you would like to find the folder, such as your desktop or Games folder. Afterward, you will add your own files including sounds and graphics that the goose will access and pull up on its own. The virtual pet won’t be able to access any other files, and you can change the accessible images at any time when the goose is inactive.
Desktop Goose already comes installed with multiple memes and one GIF that the goose pulls up when you launch the program. If you do not set a specific time for the goose’s attack, it will show up on its own after you double-click the program to launch through the application file in the Desktop Goose folder. You can choose to keep the existing sounds of goose footsteps and honks or replace them with music using the sound settings.
The Desktop Goose is safe for your computer
Desktop Goose is a freeware program that has been deemed safe by trusted anti-virus programs such as Avast. While it makes a great prank faux-virus, you can control the program to launch whenever you’re looking for fun and distraction. There is also a customization setting so that you can choose how long the goose will control your desktop and move your cursor.
However, you’ll need to know basic coding to fully customize the game. To do this, pull up the configuration file feature by right-clicking the Desktop Goose folder. There, you will be instructed to write true or false on lines of code to allow the goose to control your cursor and the amount of time it will attack your device.
Make the Desktop Goose go away when you’ve had enough fun
The distracting goose is surprisingly versatile with his attacks and chaos. He’ll show up while you’re playing video games and seemingly interact with the action. You can also make him chase your cursor by moving the mouse. After he catches the pointer, he’ll take control for less than a minute.
In order to regain control of your computer, you need to exit the program by holding down the escape bar until a taskbar appears. A loading bar will tell you when the goose will waddle or fly away. You will also be able to turn off the program through the taskbar.
Desktop Goose has a growing community of fans
Since Desktop Goose is a PC pet for laptops or personal computers, it can only be launched by the person in control of their device or a guest. Although you can install it on a friend’s computer as a prank, be aware that Desktop Goose will impact their gameplay and productivity with the settings you choose. So you’ll want to be careful when adding it to the computer of someone who’s serious about gaming or their work.
There is an active Desktop Goose community of fans who have created and shared mods to download. Examples of modifications include goose hats and specific limits on what the goose is able to do, such as only interacting during computer games and not pulling out existing files in the Desktop Goose folder. However, it is important to note that you will have to find safe and secure downloads of these modifications outside of the official program.
Desktop Goose works smoothly when running other programs in the background
Desktop Goose is a lightweight ZIP folder application that can be used with other programs including Microsoft Excel. The Desktop Goose program can be launched on a timer or set up in the background for a visit from the goose at random intervals. With the second option, the goose is likely to choose to attack while you’re working on an important spreadsheet and distract you. It will also fly through computer games to halt your progress, which can be comical or annoying.
If you’re looking to make gaming more challenging and funny, consider running Desktop Goose before opening your computer game. When you need a distraction from work, save your important files and play around with the goose for fun on your desktop. Place only the pictures and files you allow the Desktop Goose to control in the Desktop Goose folder.
Watch out, the goose is loose: Desktop Goose and its impact
Desktop Goose is a popular title among fans of comedic programs and memes. It’s essentially a joke game to prank your friends or add some distracting humor to your daily routine on the computer. Members of the Desktop Goose community are known to share unique mods and screenshots showing their time on the program fighting with the goose.
However, this distractive virtual pet can also be annoying if you accidentally let the goose out and control other active games. As mentioned before, the program also reduces your productivity. But this could actually be a benefit depending on your state of mind. Luckily, you can easily force quit the program and uninstall it if Desktop Goose is affecting your everyday routine too much.
Final verdict: A fun desktop companion if you like distractions
As a virtual pet, Desktop Goose is a fun app, especially for fans of the Untitled Goose Game. While it may get old as a continuously running app, it will certainly generate a laugh. The goofy antics of the pixelated goose also make regular gameplay more challenging in a (mostly) harmless way. Desktop Goose is a fun program for those who need an amusing break in their daily schedule and don’t mind taking time away from work and day-to-day priorities.
Sam Chiet is an established name for creating entertaining desktop games and software updates. Through social media, he has helped foster a community of like-minded “goblins” who enjoy the escapism provided by a desktop companion.
Pros
- Fun replication of protagonist of the Untitled Goose Game
- Healthy distraction from monotonous computer work
- Secure and won’t access private files
- Users can customize with images and sounds
- Lightweight in file size to work with other programs
Cons
- Needs knowledge of basic coding to customize
- Will surprise you if not turned off
- Disrupts progress in gameplay
- Needs extra programs to download mods
Developer & Publisher: Sam Chiet
Game Mode: Freeware
Platform reviewed: Windows, MacOS
