Overview
Outbound features a pet companion system that allows players to adopt, care for, and train animal companions. The signature companion is a dog that was added as a community stretch goal during the Kickstarter campaign. Pets are not purely cosmetic; they serve functional gameplay roles by helping with resource gathering and transportation.
Paws and Whiskers Lodge
The Paws & Whiskers Lodge is a location in the game world where players can adopt companion animals. Once adopted, the companion travels with the player and the camper van. The lodge serves as the entry point for the entire companion system.
Dog Companion
The dog companion was introduced in beta v0.7.6 (October 2025). It is the primary pet type confirmed for the game. The dog responds to player commands and provides practical assistance during gameplay.
Confirmed abilities include:
Fetching items: The dog can be commanded to retrieve nearby resources and bring them to the player.
Carrying supplies: The dog can hold items in its inventory, expanding the player's effective carrying capacity.
Returning to vehicle: The dog can be sent back to the van with collected items, saving the player a trip.
Care and Training
Pets require regular attention. Players can feed their dog, pet it, and give it treats to strengthen the bond. Training the dog through regular interaction improves its responsiveness to commands. The PlayStation Blog description notes that the dog "will help you if you train them, feed them and give them well-earned scritches." The Kickstarter reward tier "Treats for Lucky" included special dog companion items, suggesting Lucky may be the default name for the companion.
Customization
The Steam store page mentions customizable options for companion appearance and gear. Backers who purchased the "Cotton Candy & Marshmallow" Kickstarter tier received exclusive companion skins. Additional appearance options may be available in the full game.
Multiplayer
In multiplayer sessions, each player can have their own companion. The dog's fetching and carrying abilities help distribute the workload across a team of up to four players exploring and gathering resources together.