Nier: Automata’s 2B Character Joins Desktop Mate App in New DLC
The beloved action RPG Nier: Automata continues to expand its cultural footprint with the latest collaboration bringing its iconic character, 2B, to Desktop Mate, a popular Steam app that enhances user desktops with interactive, animated characters.
Introduction to Desktop Mate and Nier: Automata Collaboration
Desktop Mate is a unique desktop customization application boasting thousands of concurrent users, providing an engaging experience by allowing officially licensed characters to roam freely on users’ computer screens. These characters interact playfully with the user’s mouse movements and desktop windows, bringing static screens to life.
Following a successful collaboration featuring Hatsune Miku, Desktop Mate is set to introduce Nier: Automata’s fan-favorite android warrior 2B as part of a paid DLC pack, releasing on October 9, 2025. This pack introduces an interactive experience that stays true to 2B’s in-game character animations and nuances.
Features of the 2B DLC Pack
- Authentic Animations: Motions are meticulously mocapped by Kaori Kawabuchi, the original animator from Nier: Automata, faithfully capturing 2B’s signature behaviors such as crossing her legs, sitting with her back turned, and adjusting her knee-high socks.
- Voice Options: Fans can choose between voiced Japanese and English lines, offering a personalized auditory experience.
- Special Effects: Pod 042, 2B’s companion unit in the original game, occasionally appears on-screen, adding depth to the DLC’s immersive quality.
- Costume Changes: The DLC features dynamic costume transformations after certain movements, including the visual of 2B’s recognizable tattered outfit following her self-destruct sequence in the game, allowing users to enjoy varied aesthetics.
The Impact and Popularity of Nier: Automata in Cross-Platform Collaborations
Nier: Automata has become a cultural phenomenon since its release, praised for its deep narrative, innovative gameplay, and distinctive characters. Its appeal transcends the game itself, inspiring numerous collaborations across multiple platforms and genres. For instance, recent crossovers include partnerships with The First Descendant, a third-person shooter, and Naraka: Bladepoint, seamlessly integrating Nier’s thematic elements.
Desktop Mate’s collaboration is part of Square Enix’s strategic approach to leverage the popularity of Nier: Automata by engaging audiences beyond traditional gaming channels. This reflects a broader industry trend where interactive and customizable experiences are becoming increasingly popular.
Statistics and Industry Trends
According to SteamDB, Desktop Mate maintains a steady concurrent user base of several thousand players, underlining the demand for such interactive desktop companions. Gaming collaborations in non-traditional spaces like desktop personalization apps have grown by over 20% in the last two years, illustrating an emerging niche for game character DLCs beyond in-game content (Source: SteamDB; Newzoo 2024 Market Report).
Conclusion: Expanding the Nier: Automata Universe Through Desktop Mate
The introduction of 2B to Desktop Mate is more than just an aesthetic add-on; it embodies the evolving relationship between gaming culture and user engagement tools. By expanding into desktop customization, Nier: Automata reinforces its cultural longevity and appeal.
Fans of Nier: Automata and desktop personalization alike can anticipate a rich, immersive experience with 2B’s upcoming DLC pack. It exemplifies how modern gaming franchises are creating multi-platform ecosystems that enhance fan interaction and enjoyment.
Additional Insights
- User Engagement: Interactive desktop companions like 2B have been observed to increase user engagement and satisfaction, supported by user experience studies highlighting the positive effects of personalized digital environments (Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 2023).
- Future Prospects: The trend towards character-based apps is expected to continue, with developers exploring AI-enhanced responsiveness to make desktop mates more lifelike and interactive.
Image credit: infiniteloop
For more insights on popular action RPGs and gaming collaborations, explore related articles and features on major gaming platforms.
