Early Access Launch: May 25, 2026

Live Your Dream Life in Paralives

Build without limits, create unique characters, and explore an open world town. The most flexible life simulation game ever made — with free updates forever.

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Early Access

Explore Paralives

Everything you need to know about the most anticipated life simulation game

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What is Paralives?

An indie life sim from Paralives Studio featuring grid-free building, deep character creation, and an open-world town called Melino.

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Build Mode

Curved walls, split-level platforms, resizable furniture, and a full color wheel — with optional grid for precision building.

Explore →
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Paramaker

Body sliders, genetics, layered outfits, asymmetry options, and a full color wheel for creating unique Parafolk.

Discover →
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Career System

Pursue careers, level up skills, earn Paradimes, and achieve your Parafolk's dreams in the open-world town.

View Careers →
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Relationships

Build connections using Together Cards, develop romantic relationships, friendships, and family bonds that evolve over time.

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Modding Support

Steam Workshop integration from day one with built-in modding tools for furniture, hairstyles, clothing, and more.

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System Requirements

GTX 1060 minimum, 12GB RAM. Runs on Windows and Mac via Steam. Check if your PC can run Paralives.

Check PC →
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FAQ

Answers to common questions about Early Access, features, pricing, and what's coming in future updates.

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About the Game

What is Paralives?

Paralives is an indie life simulation game developed by Paralives Studio, a Canadian company founded by Alex Massé. The game allows players to build homes, create characters called Parafolk, and manage their lives inside an open-world town named Melino.

The project began as a solo endeavor in January 2019 and has grown into a full studio effort funded entirely by a sustained community supporter program. Paralives surpassed one million Steam wishlists on September 25, 2025 and has become one of the most anticipated indie games in the life simulation genre.

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Platform

PC & Mac on Steam

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Price

$39.99 USD (10% off at launch)

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Release

May 25, 2026 (Early Access)

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DLC Policy

100% Free Updates Forever

Paralives Gameplay Screenshot

Key Features

What sets Paralives apart from other life simulation games

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Grid-Free Building

Draw walls at any angle, create curved structures, and build without the restrictions of a fixed grid system.

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Color Wheel System

Every object, wall, clothing, and physical feature can be recolored using a color wheel with hex code support.

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Open World Town

Explore Melino without loading screens. 50-70 lots including homes, shops, parks, and public buildings.

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Deep Character Creator

Slider-based customization, asymmetry options, genetics system, and inclusive gender and pronoun options.

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Together Cards

Relationship development mechanic with context-dependent card choices that shape conversations.

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Genetics System

Physical traits pass from parents to children. Create legacy families with inherited characteristics.

Paralives vs The Sims 4

The structural differences that matter

Feature Paralives The Sims 4
DLC Model 100% Free Updates $1,000+ for all packs
World Design Open world, no loading Loading screens between lots
Building System Grid-optional, curved walls Fixed grid only
Character Height Adjustable height slider No height variation
Asymmetry Each side adjustable Symmetric only
Color Customization Full color wheel + hex Preset swatches only
Clothing Layers Proper layering Limited layering
Beginner Guide

Getting Started with Paralives

Your first-hour checklist: what Early Access means, how Build / Paramaker / Live Mode fit together, and what to expect before you click Play.

What Early Access Really Means

Early Access is not the full game — it is a funded beta you choose to join. The team targets roughly two years in EA before 1.0, with free updates and no paid DLC packs.

At launch you get the core loop: design Parafolks in Paramaker, build homes in Build Mode, and run households in Live Mode in an open-world town.

Before You Launch

  • ✓ Check specs: 12 GB RAM and a GTX 1060-class GPU minimum
  • ✓ Set expectations: $39.99 at EA launch; price may rise toward 1.0
  • ✓ Pick a goal: Builder? Storyteller? Focus on one for your first session
  • ✓ Update GPU drivers and close heavy background apps

The Three Modes

Paramaker

Create Parafolks with body sliders, genetics, layered outfits, and personality knobs. Any clothing on any body type.

Build Mode

Grid-less curves, split-level platforms, resizable furniture, and deep color control. Toggle grid when you want precision.

Live Mode

Needs, emotions, careers, bills, relationships, and town venues. Multiselect lets you direct small groups.

Your First Hour Checklist

  1. Create one Parafolk you actually like — you will stare at them for hours
  2. Build or pick a starter lot; learn one Build Mode trick (split level or curved wall)
  3. Move in, turn on needs display, and follow one career or skill goal
  4. Visit one town lot (shop, museum, or park) so you learn travel and venues
  5. Save often; note one bug or wish in a personal list — EA feedback helps everyone
Build Mode

Grid-Free Construction

Build mode is where Paralives earns its reputation. Here's how to actually use it:

Getting In

Press TAB or click the house icon in the bottom-left corner.

Wall Placement

Three wall types available — standard, half-wall, and invisible — all support curved construction. Drag in an arc for curves. Hold Shift for half-grid snapping.

Split-Level Floors

The platform system raises or lowers floor sections within a single room. Create sunken lounges, elevated kitchen islands, and raised bedroom platforms.

Color & Texture

Apply color to one wall at a time or entire rooms with a single action. Furniture, windows, fences, stairs, and plants are all independently resizable and colorable.

Note: Curved walls cannot have windows or doors placed on them in Early Access. This is a confirmed feature on the post-EA roadmap.
📐 Any-angle walls
🌀 Curved structures
🏗️ Split-level platforms
🎨 Color wheel
📏 Resizable furniture
🔲 Optional grid
Paramaker

Character Creation

The Paramaker organises character creation into three categories: Body, Clothing, and Personality.

Body

Click any part of your Parafolk and sliders appear. Waist, hips, chest, height, body frame, and side-profile proportions. Numerical inputs let you enter exact values and copy-paste between characters.

The height slider creates visible size differences between characters — something The Sims 4 does not offer.

Clothing

Full color wheel on every item — not preset swatches. Layering works properly: a shirt under a jacket renders correctly with both pieces visible.

Personality

Four systems shape behavioral identity:

  • Vibes — general emotional baseline
  • Talents — which skills develop faster
  • Social Perks — how relationships form
  • Lifestyles — daily priorities and routines

Latest News

Stay updated with Paralives development

May 24, 2026

Early Access Launch Countdown

Paralives launches on Steam for PC and Mac on May 25, 2026. The game enters Early Access with core features including Build Mode, Paramaker, and Live Mode in an open world.

Read More →
May 19, 2026

Getting Started Guide Updated

Our comprehensive beginner's guide has been updated with the latest information about Early Access features, what to expect in your first session, and tips from the community.

Read More →
May 13, 2026

Dev Blog: Town Polish

The latest dev blog showcases environmental polish pass for the town of Melino, including new animations reflecting vibes, emotions, and lifestage.

Read More →

System Requirements

Can your PC run Paralives?

Windows — Minimum

  • OS: Windows 10
  • Processor: Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 @ 2.5 GHz
  • Memory: 12 GB RAM
  • Graphics: GTX 1060 / RX 6600 XT
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Storage: 8 GB

Windows — Recommended

  • OS: Windows 11
  • Processor: Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 @ 3.0 GHz
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: RTX 2060 / RX 7600 XT
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Storage: 8 GB

macOS — Minimum

  • OS: macOS Big Sur 11+
  • Processor: Apple M2
  • Memory: 12 GB RAM
  • Storage: 8 GB

macOS — Recommended

  • OS: macOS Big Sur 11+
  • Processor: Apple M3
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Storage: 8 GB

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Paralives worth buying in Early Access?

At $35.99 with the launch discount, the value case is strong if build mode freedom or the no-DLC model is your primary draw. If you need pets, seasons, or a content library comparable to The Sims 4 with packs, wait for 1.0.

Does Paralives have multiplayer?

No. Paralives is a single-player, offline-capable experience. No multiplayer is planned.

Will Paralives come to consoles?

No console or mobile versions are planned at this stage. The game is available on PC and Mac via Steam only.

How long will Paralives be in Early Access?

The development team estimates approximately two years. The first major content update (weather, seasons) is expected Q4 2026, with pets and additional systems following.

What's NOT in Early Access?

Pets, weather/seasons, vehicles, swimming pools, basements, gardening, and fishing are all planned as post-EA free updates.

Is the price going to increase?

The price during Early Access is $39.99 USD (with 10% launch discount). The price will increase when Paralives exits Early Access and at 1.0 release.

Join the Community

Connect with other Parafolk enthusiasts

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Discord

Chat with thousands of fans and the dev team

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Patreon

Support the devs and get exclusive rewards

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Reddit

Discuss, share builds, and stay updated

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Twitter

Follow development updates and announcements