Choose the Unlock Route for Your Cosmetic
Get Shining Critters through the Founders Pack, Midnight CatNap through an eligible individual redemption code, or the Project: Playtime Hoodie by owning and having played Project: Playtime. Before using a Shining variant for a progression character, unlock the matching default Critter.
Skins and Founders Pack Rewards
The Founders Pack supplies Shining variants for all eight Smiling Critters, plus a lounge decoration and a player emote. The Hoodie and Midnight CatNap have separate eligibility requirements. Use the table to match the reward you want with its acquisition route and any character unlock it needs.
| Reward | Appearance or Use | How to Get It | Eligibility or Character Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| CatNap Shining variant | Shiny alternate appearance for CatNap. | Included in the Founders Pack. | Default CatNap is playable from the start. |
| Hoppy Hopscotch Shining variant | Shiny alternate appearance for Hoppy Hopscotch. | Included in the Founders Pack. | Default Hoppy Hopscotch is playable from the start. |
| Bobby Bearhug Shining variant | Shiny alternate appearance for Bobby Bearhug. | Included in the Founders Pack. | Default Bobby Bearhug is playable from the start. |
| DogDay Shining variant | Shiny alternate appearance for DogDay. | Included in the Founders Pack. | Default DogDay is playable from the start. |
| CraftyCorn Shining variant | Shiny alternate appearance for CraftyCorn. | Included in the Founders Pack. | Unlock default CraftyCorn through progression before using the variant. |
| KickinChicken Shining variant | Shiny alternate appearance for KickinChicken. | Included in the Founders Pack. | Unlock default KickinChicken first. Its updated cumulative quota requirement is 20k. |
| Bubba Bubbaphant Shining variant | Shiny alternate appearance for Bubba Bubbaphant. | Included in the Founders Pack. | Unlock default Bubba Bubbaphant through progression before using the variant. |
| PickyPiggy Shining variant | Shiny alternate appearance for PickyPiggy. | Included in the Founders Pack. | Unlock default PickyPiggy through progression before using the variant. |
| Midnight CatNap | Midnight CatNap in-game skin. | An eligible Midnight CatNap plush purchase supplies a redemption code. | Purchase codes are unique, non-expiring, and single-use on one account. |
| Project: Playtime Hoodie | Hoodie cosmetic that can be equipped on all eight Smiling Critters. | Granted automatically through the Steam Inventory System. | Own Project: Playtime and have played it at least once. |
| Retro Smiling Critters Arcade Cabinet | A retro cabinet decoration for the Perm-A-Lounge, described as broken. | Included in the Founders Pack. | The Founders Pack requires the paid base game. |
| Miss Delight player emote | A player emote that mimics Miss Delight. | Included in the Founders Pack. | The Founders Pack requires the paid base game. |
Claim Your Look and Check Character Customization
- For Shining Critters, open the Founders Pack on Steam. You need the paid Escape from Playtime base game; the pack is free for the first 30 days after the Early Access launch.
- Check that the default Critter is unlocked before using its Shining variant. CraftyCorn, KickinChicken, Bubba Bubbaphant, and PickyPiggy need progression unlocks even when you own the pack.
- Once you meet the cosmetic's requirements, check character customization for the appearance you obtained. The Project: Playtime Hoodie can be equipped on all eight Smiling Critters.
- Use the Perm-A-Lounge computer to track progress and examine earned rewards. If a Shining variant is unavailable, check the matching default Critter's progression requirement first.
Hoodie Eligibility and Midnight CatNap Codes
For the Project: Playtime Hoodie, check both ownership and play history: you must own Project: Playtime and have played it at least once. Qualifying players receive the cosmetic automatically through the Steam Inventory System. Owning Escape from Playtime alone does not satisfy that requirement, and claiming the Founders Pack is a separate reward route.
Midnight CatNap purchase codes are unique, non-expiring, and single-use on one account. Choose the account where you want the cosmetic before redeeming your code. Keep cosmetic redemption separate from lobby codes, which a host shares so other players can join a lobby.
Read the official store FAQ for Midnight CatNap purchase-code details.
When a Shining Skin Is Still Unavailable
Start by checking the default character rather than repeating the cosmetic claim. The Founders Pack does not bypass the progression requirements for CraftyCorn, KickinChicken, Bubba Bubbaphant, or PickyPiggy. Their Shining variants become usable after the corresponding default Critters are unlocked.
For CraftyCorn and PickyPiggy, completing the unlock method grants the default character to every player in the lobby. That can help when you are working on character unlocks with friends. The corresponding Founders Pack appearance still depends on that default-character unlock.
Open the CraftyCorn unlock guide for its default-character objective.
Skin Unlock Questions
- Why did I receive a Shining Critter skin but still cannot select the matching character?
- The cosmetic and the default character have separate requirements. Unlock default CraftyCorn, KickinChicken, Bubba Bubbaphant, or PickyPiggy through progression before using that character's Shining variant. Receiving the Founders Pack appearance does not unlock the matching default Critter.