Why I Created a Standalone Companion App After 10+ Overwolf Apps
Published on 5/7/2025
In 2016, I built my first Overwolf app during the League of Legends Overwolf Dev Challenge — and won it with Trophy Hunter, an achievement tracker for LoL. That experience kicked off my journey into building tools for gamers.
Since then, I’ve developed more than 10 Overwolf apps for games like New World, Palworld, Once Human, Infinity Nikki, and many others.
But in 2025, I launched something entirely new: the TH.GL Companion App — a standalone application, independent from Overwolf.
Overwolf Was a Great Start
Overwolf gave me the tools I needed:
- A strong API for overlays, hotkeys, and in-game data
- Automatic updates and app store visibility
- A way to focus on app development, not deployment infrastructure
It worked well for many years, especially while I was building these tools alongside a full-time job.
Why I Built My Own
Over time, I began hearing requests for a more lightweight solution. Some users wanted a version of the tools without extra background services, installations, or performance overhead.
There were also challenges on the development side. Occasionally, I had to delay updates because of Overwolf platform issues like:
- Missing support for certain games or DX versions
- Crashes and performance issues that weren’t under my control
Eventually, I decided I wanted to try building my own system — one that would give me more control, flexibility, and fewer dependencies.
Palworld Overlay
What’s Inside the Companion App
The TH.GL Companion App offers:
- Overlay + second-screen toggle
- Real-time player tracking
- Support for multiple games, including Palworld, Once Human, Infinity Nikki, and more
All without needing to install or run Overwolf.
App Launcher
The Benefits
By moving away from Overwolf, I can:
- Push updates and support new games much faster
- Avoid waiting for platform fixes
- Deliver a smoother experience with fewer restrictions
- Keep everything lightweight and performance-focused
Plus, it’s been a great learning experience — diving into DX injection, overlay rendering, and everything required to build an app like this from scratch.
How’s It Going?
The Companion App is still new, but I’ve already seen hundreds of daily users, even with a soft launch. It’s far from done, but the core functionality is solid, and I’m updating it regularly based on feedback.
Second Screen Mode
Try It Yourself
Want to try it?
And if you’d like to support development or remove ads, check out Support Me.
Thanks for reading — and stay tuned for what’s next!