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Frequently Asked Questions
May 8, 2026 at 09:02 AM
Applied Title Case to body headings
This page compiles answers to the most frequently asked questions about Paralives. The information is sourced from the official Paralives FAQ at paralives.com/faq and from developer communications by Alex Masse and the Paralives Studio team.
Paralives is an indie life simulation game being developed by Paralives Studio. Players create and customize characters called Parafolk, build and decorate homes using a freeform Build Mode, and guide their characters through daily life in an open world town. The game features advanced personality systems, flexible career paths, and a nuanced relationship system built around labels and Together Cards.
Paralives is developed by Paralives Studio, an indie game studio founded in 2019 by Alex Masse, a French Canadian game developer from Montreal. Alex started the project in September 2018 as a solo developer and began sharing progress publicly in June 2019. The team has since grown to include multiple developers, artists, and designers. Development has been supported by community funding through Patreon, which had over 15,000 supporters and earned over $35,000 per month by November 2023.
Paralives is priced at $39.99 USD for the Early Access launch. The price will gradually increase as more content is added during the Early Access period, reaching a higher price at the 1.0 full release. Players who purchase the game early will pay less and still receive all future updates for free.
No. Alex Masse has promised that Paralives will never have paid DLC. All updates, content additions, and expansions will be free. This applies to everything from new furniture and clothing to major features like pets, weather, and seasons. See the Modding and Steam Workshop article for more details on the content model.
Paralives will be available on PC (Windows) and Mac via Steam. There are no current plans to release the game on consoles, mobile devices, or other PC storefronts.
There are no plans for a Linux version at launch. However, the development team has not ruled out a Linux release in the future. Players on Linux may be able to run the game through compatibility layers such as Proton, though this is not officially supported.
Paralives supports eight languages at the Early Access launch, with full Interface, Audio, and Subtitle support for each:
Language | Status |
|---|---|
English | Confirmed at launch |
French | Confirmed at launch |
Italian | Confirmed at launch |
German | Confirmed at launch |
Polish | Confirmed at launch |
Portuguese (Brazil) | Confirmed at launch |
Spanish (Latin America) | Confirmed at launch |
Simplified Chinese | Confirmed at launch |
Additional languages may be added during the Early Access period based on demand, but the team has not committed to a specific list beyond these eight. Spoken dialogue uses the fictional Parli language, which is not tied to any real-world language. For more on translation design see Localization.
No. Paralives is a single-player game. It does not require an internet connection to play (though an internet connection is needed for Steam Workshop access and game updates). There are no current plans for multiplayer or co-op modes.
Paralives has a grid-free Build Mode that allows players to place walls at any angle, create curved walls, build split-level floors, and resize objects freely. Unlike grid-based building systems, players can place items anywhere without being constrained by invisible grid lines. The color wheel allows full customization of colors and textures on every surface.
The relationship system uses a label-based approach where each connection between two Parafolk is defined by multiple labels (such as Friend, Coworker, or Romantic Partner) that can be unlocked and upgraded through play. Socializing fills the Together Bar, and when it is full, players choose from Together Cards that shape how the relationship evolves.
Yes. A Parafolk can hold multiple jobs simultaneously as long as the schedules do not overlap. Each job has its own working hours, salary, and rank. Career progression is non-linear; characters improve within their role rather than being automatically promoted to a different position.
The Early Access launch is scheduled for May 25, 2026. The game was originally announced for December 8, 2025, but was delayed in November 2025 after playtest feedback revealed bugs in Live Mode and a lack of town activities.
According to Alex Masse, Paralives is expected to remain in Early Access for approximately two years before reaching its 1.0 full release. This timeframe is subject to change based on development progress and community feedback.
The Early Access version includes the core pillars of the game:
Paramaker (character creator) with height sliders, body customization, clothing layers, tattoos, and asymmetrical features
Build Mode with grid-free construction, curved walls, split-level floors, and object resizing
Live Mode with needs, personality traits, skills, emotions, and character autonomy
The relationship system with labels and Together Cards
Career system with multiple job categories
Cooking system with skill-based recipes
Aging, having children, and death
Shops, restaurants, and museums in the open world town
Bills and house fires
Modding tools and Steam Workshop integration
The following features are planned for free updates during the Early Access period:
Weather and seasons
Calendar and family tree
Dogs, cats, and horses
Cars, bikes, and houseboats
Swimming
Story progression for NPCs
Gardening and fishing
Social events (parties, weddings)
Town editing tools
Advanced roof and stair tools
Basements and pools
Additional furniture, clothes, personality traits, social interactions, and skills
Paralives is targeting a Teen content rating. The game excludes mature themes such as drugs, murder, sexual violence, pornography, and gore. The focus is on wholesome life simulation experiences that are accessible to a broad audience.
There are no confirmed plans for console versions at this time. The development team is focused on delivering a polished PC and Mac experience first. However, Alex Masse has stated that he is "still taking Xbox into consideration" for the future, and console ports have not been ruled out entirely.
