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Frequently Asked Questions - Version 25 vs Version 26
Sep 7, 2026, 04:40 PM
Date-anchored the demo, controller, Steam Deck, Linux, console and multiplayer answers and replaced the unnamed Q4 scope answer with the studio-named 0.2.0 workstreams
Sep 21, 2026, 11:14 AM
Fixed launch question to past tense 119 days after release, added the September 15 first look at major update items, and re-verified dated store and FAQ claims as of September 21
11This page collects answers to the most frequently asked questions about Paralives, drawn from the official developer FAQ, the May 7, 2026 Early Access feature recap, and the Steam store page. For specific systems, follow the in-text wikilinks to the dedicated articles.22Quick Reference44QuestionShort AnswerWhen does Paralives launch?Monday, May 25, 2026, into Steam Early AccessHow much does it cost?$39.99 USD at launch; price will increase laterWhich platforms?PC (Windows 10 / 11) and macOS (Apple M-series); Steam-exclusiveHow many languages?8 at launch; more potentially later in Early AccessIs there multiplayer?No; single-player only; no internet required to playWill there be paid DLC?No; all post-launch content arrives as free updatesHow long is Early Access?Approximately two years; 1.0 targeted for sometime in 2028Is modding supported on Day 1?Yes; official in-game tools and Steam Workshop ship at launchAre pets in the launch build?No; pets are a post-launch free updateAre vehicles in the launch build?No; vehicles are a post-launch free updateWhat is the age rating target?Teen rating; excludes mature content66General77What is Paralives?99Paralives is an indie life-simulation game 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 launch build features deep personality systems, the Expertise System for non-linear career progression, and a label-based relationship system.1111Who is making Paralives?1313Paralives is developed by Paralives Studio, founded in 2019 by Alex Massé. Alex began the project in September 2018 as a solo developer and started publicly sharing progress in June 2019. The team has since grown to 15 people working in a hybrid arrangement between home and a Montreal office, with two more senior roles opened in July 2026. See Alex Masse for the founder bio and Paralives Studio for the studio profile.1515Pricing and Purchase1717How much does Paralives cost?1919Paralives is priced at $39.99 USD for the Early Access launch on May 25, 2026. 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 earlier will pay less and still receive all future updates for free.2121A 10% launch-week discount brings the launch price to $35.99 USD on May 25, 2026. After the discount window, the price returns to $39.99 USD and continues to rise as content is added through Early Access. Steam regional pricing applies in most markets.2323Will there be paid DLC?2525No. The studio has committed to never selling paid DLC. All post-launch content, including pets, vehicles, weather, seasons, gardening, and other major systems, will arrive as free updates during the approximately two-year Early Access period and beyond. See Modding and Steam Workshop for the broader content commitment.2727Is there a demo?2929No public demo has been released. The Steam store listing carries no demo as of September 7, 2026, and the studio has not announced one. The launch build is the first time the general public can purchase and play the game. Closed playtests during 2025 and early 2026 informed the launch readiness, but those tests were invite-only.30+No public demo has been released. The Steam store listing carries no demo as of September 21, 2026, and the studio has not announced one. The launch build is the first time the general public can purchase and play the game. Closed playtests during 2025 and early 2026 informed the launch readiness, but those tests were invite-only.3131Platforms and Requirements3333What platforms is Paralives available on?3535Paralives is available on PC (Windows 10 / 11) and macOS (Apple Silicon, M-series) via Steam. The studio's FAQ states that there are no plans for console versions at the moment but that it is considering them for the future, and that Paralives will not have a phone or tablet version. Both answers still stand as of September 7, 2026, and no other PC storefront has been announced. The studio has noted that Xbox is still under consideration for the future, but no firm commitment has been made.36+Paralives is available on PC (Windows 10 / 11) and macOS (Apple Silicon, M-series) via Steam. The studio's FAQ states that there are no plans for console versions at the moment but that it is considering them for the future, and that Paralives will not have a phone or tablet version. Both answers still stand as of September 21, 2026, and no other PC storefront has been announced. The studio has noted that Xbox is still under consideration for the future, but no firm commitment has been made.3737Will Paralives come to Linux?3939There are no current plans for a native Linux build. The store listing declares Windows and macOS only as of September 7, 2026, and the studio's FAQ does not address Linux. Players on Linux may be able to run the game through compatibility layers such as Proton, though that path is not officially supported. The studio has not ruled out a later Linux release.40+There are no current plans for a native Linux build. The store listing declares Windows and macOS only as of September 21, 2026, and the studio's FAQ does not address Linux. Players on Linux may be able to run the game through compatibility layers such as Proton, though that path is not officially supported. The studio has not ruled out a later Linux release.4141Will Paralives support controllers or Steam Deck?4343Controller support and Steam Deck verification are still not declared as of September 7, 2026: the store listing shows no controller-support field and no Steam Deck compatibility rating. The studio has said controller support would be the first step if it takes on console versions later. The primary input method is keyboard and mouse. All keys are rebindable for accessibility; see Controls.44+Controller support and Steam Deck verification are still not declared as of September 21, 2026: the store listing shows no controller-support field and no Steam Deck compatibility rating. The studio has said controller support would be the first step if it takes on console versions later. The primary input method is keyboard and mouse. All keys are rebindable for accessibility; see Controls.4545What languages will be supported?4747Paralives supports 8 languages at the Early Access launch: English, French, Italian, German, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Latin America), and Simplified Chinese. All eight are interface localizations covering menus and written text. None includes subtitles or full audio, because spoken dialogue is the fictional Parli language and is left untranslated by design. Spoken dialogue uses the fictional Parli language, which is not tied to any real-world language. See Localization for design notes.4949What are the system requirements?5151Windows minimum: Windows 10, Intel i5 / Ryzen 5 @ 2.5 GHz, 12 GB RAM, GTX 1060 or RX 6600 XT, DirectX 11, 8 GB storage. macOS minimum: Apple M2, macOS Big Sur 11 or newer, 12 GB RAM. Recommended tiers raise CPU clock to 3.0 GHz, RAM to 16 GB, GPU to RTX 2060 / RX 7600 XT, and macOS chip to Apple M3. See System Requirements for the full table.5353Gameplay5555Is Paralives multiplayer?5757No. 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, automatic mod installation, and game updates). There are no plans for multiplayer or co-op modes. The studio's FAQ describes Paralives as a single-player game that does not require an internet connection, and that answer still stands as of September 7, 2026.58+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, automatic mod installation, and game updates). There are no plans for multiplayer or co-op modes. The studio's FAQ describes Paralives as a single-player game that does not require an internet connection, and that answer still stands as of September 21, 2026.5959How does building work?6161Paralives has a grid-free Build Mode that allows walls placed at any angle, curved walls, split-level floors, free object resizing through corner anchors, full color and texture customization via a color wheel, and multi-floor construction. An optional grid can be enabled for placement assistance, but the underlying system is freeform. See Build Mode for the full toolset.6363How do relationships work?6666The launch build's relationship system uses a label-based approach. Each connection between two Parafolk is defined by multiple labels (Friend, Coworker, Romantic Partner, and so on) 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. See Relationships and Social System.6868Can Parafolk have multiple jobs?7070Yes. A Parafolk can hold multiple jobs simultaneously as long as the schedules do not conflict. 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. See Careers and the Expertise System.7272Can Paras chat online or call each other on the phone?7474Not at launch. Calling Paras over the phone and chatting online are confirmed post-launch free updates rather than Day 1 features. They are part of the Roadmap and Planned Features plan.7676Release and Early Access7878When does Paralives launch?79+When did Paralives launch?8080The Early Access launch is scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2026. The game was originally announced for December 8, 2025 but was delayed in November 2025 after expanded playtest feedback revealed Live Mode bugs, a lack of town activities, and a need for first-time-user-experience polish.81+Paralives launched into Steam Early Access on Monday, May 25, 2026, and has been playable since that day. The game was originally announced for December 8, 2025 but was delayed in November 2025 after expanded playtest feedback revealed Live Mode bugs, a lack of town activities, and a need for first-time-user-experience polish.8282How long will Early Access last?8484Approximately two years before the 1.0 full release. This estimate is subject to change based on development progress and community feedback during Early Access. The 1.0 release is targeted for sometime in 2028.8686What features are in Early Access on Day 1?8888The Day 1 launch includes the three core gameplay pillars (Paramaker, Build Mode, Live Mode) plus the launch venues, scheduled events, careers system, Expertise System, cooking, bills, pregnancy and birth, all eight lifestages, modding tools and Steam Workshop, the Photo Mode, and the 2025 to 2026 animation expansion. See Early Access for the full Day 1 list.9090What features come after launch?9292Confirmed post-launch free updates during Early Access include pets (dogs, cats, horses), vehicles (cars, bikes), boats and houseboats, swimming and pools, weather and seasons, calendar, family tree UI, gardening, fishing, story progression for NPCs, organized social events, town editing tools, advanced roof and stair tools, basements, curved doors and windows, and phone calling / online chatting. All arrive free under the no-paid-DLC commitment.9494What is the content rating?9696Paralives targets 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 accessible to a broad audience.9898Modding100100Are mods supported on Day 1?102102Yes. The official Paralives Modding Toolkit and Steam Workshop integration both ship on Day 1. Mods can add, edit, or remove most game content through the official toolkit. See Modding and Steam Workshop for the full moddable-category list and the script-mod carveout.104104Are script mods supported?106106Not at launch. The official toolkit covers content and parameter mods but does not support scripting to create new gameplay logic. The studio's FAQ states that script mods are not planned at the moment, and that position is unchanged as of September 7, 2026. Script mods remain under consideration for a later date but no commitment has been made.107+Not at launch. The official toolkit covers content and parameter mods but does not support scripting to create new gameplay logic. The studio's FAQ states that script mods are not planned at the moment, and that position is unchanged as of September 21, 2026. Script mods remain under consideration for a later date but no commitment has been made.108108Community110110Will the community supporter program continue after launch?112112supporter pledges sunset on launch day, May 25, 2026. After that date, the official community channels remain open for discussion and feedback, but the supporter program no longer processes new pledges. Funding shifts to Steam sales revenue under the no-paid-DLC commitment. See Community.114114How can players give feedback during Early Access?116116The studio collects feedback through official community channels including the community supporter program channel, Steam community hubs, and direct surveys. The Early Access period is designed around iterative feedback-driven updates; player input is expected to shape both the order of post-launch features and many smaller balance and design decisions throughout the approximately two-year Early Access window.118118Out of Scope120120Specific patch cadence (weekly, monthly, per major feature) has not been published. The studio has signaled that updates will arrive when features are ready rather than on a fixed calendar. Other open questions remain in play during Early Access; this FAQ reflects the publicly confirmed launch facts as of May 12, 2026.122122Gameplay124124What is the town called?126126The open-world town in the launch build is named Melino. It is divided into four districts (Old Town, Industrial, Mountain, and Countryside) that players can explore without loading screens. See Town Districts and Open World and Town.128128What are Storytellers and Story Cards?130130When starting a new household, the player chooses a Storyteller that sets the overall tone and difficulty of the save. During play, an end-of-day Story Card choice nudges the next day's events, and menu settings let players tune values such as pregnancy rate, labor duration, and how autonomous Paras are at work. These are separate from Together Cards, which steer individual conversations. See Storytellers and Story Cards for the full breakdown.132132Post-Launch FAQ Additions134134Did Paralives ship with a Day-0 patch?136136Yes. A Day-0 patch landed at launch on May 25, 2026 alongside the Early Access build, addressing more than 20 bugs found during press coverage and enabling several Live Mode systems. The most player-visible additions: restaurant counter sales across all five Melino restaurants, rarity-correct collectible sell values, an inventory-add option from the Live Mode interaction menu, and a foliage animation intensity slider for accessibility. See Early Access for the full patch list.138138What launch-day collaborations are included?140140The Day-0 build bundles free in-game content from Among Us (12-swatch crewmate costume, computer minigame, posters, stuffed toys, desk decorations), Outbound (computer minigame, decorative camper van), and Kitfox Games (Dwarf Fortress and Boyfriend Dungeon, computer minigames and body pillows). A separate House Flipper Steam bundle discount is available outside the game. See Launch-Day Collaborations for the full content roster.142142How did the launch perform on Steam?144144Over 250,000 copies sold in the first eight hours, peak concurrent players hit 78,603, and the Steam global top sellers chart placed Paralives at #1 within an hour of unlock, a position it held for nearly 24 hours. Steam reviews settled at a Very Positive rating of approximately 89% across 3,500-plus English-language reviews on day one. Sales kept climbing after launch: the studio founder said in a June 10, 2026 interview that the game had reached about 900,000 copies in its first 15 days, around nine times the studio’s original target. By June 24, 2026, the studio announced that the game had sold 1,000,000 copies, about a month after launch.146146When does the 10% launch discount end?148148The launch-week discount ended June 1, 2026. The price has since returned to the standard $39.99 USD Early Access price (regional pricing through Steam applies).150150When is the first major content update?152152The studio has committed to a stability and quality-of-life window from June through September 2026 with no new gameplay systems. The first major content update is version 0.2.0, targeted for the end of 2026. The studio confirmed alongside Patch 0.1.8 on August 24, 2026 that work had moved to it and that regular patches would be spaced further apart. Its public feature roadmap tags eight in-progress entries with that version: more Together Cards, broader social-gameplay work around them, an economy and progression balance pass, new interactions, quality-of-life improvements and fixes to existing systems, an entry labelled only as secrets, more Build Mode objects and furniture, and more Paramaker clothing, hairstyles and accessories. Pets, weather and seasons, and pools are not tagged for 0.2.0. No date inside the window has been given, and the studio still describes the roadmap as subject to change.153+The studio has committed to a stability and quality-of-life window from June through September 2026 with no new gameplay systems. The first major content update is version 0.2.0, targeted for the end of 2026. The studio confirmed alongside Patch 0.1.8 on August 24, 2026 that work had moved to it and that regular patches would be spaced further apart. Its public feature roadmap tags eight in-progress entries with that version: more Together Cards, broader social-gameplay work around them, an economy and progression balance pass, new interactions, quality-of-life improvements and fixes to existing systems, an entry labelled only as secrets, more Build Mode objects and furniture, and more Paramaker clothing, hairstyles and accessories. Pets, weather and seasons, and pools are not tagged for 0.2.0. No date inside the window has been given, and the studio still describes the roadmap as subject to change. On September 15, 2026 the studio shared a first look at items coming with the update: a set of crime-scene themed decorative pieces (two chalk body outlines, numbered evidence markers and a knife) shown on a stone floor. Separately, extra classes for younger Parafolk were previewed on September 3, 2026 for the next patch rather than the major update.154154What is the 1.0 release year?156156The studio has stated the Early Access period is expected to last approximately two years, putting the 1.0 release target in 2028. 1.0 will collect every free Early Access update plus additional content not yet detailed.158158Are There Known Issues at Launch?160160Yes. Because the game launched into Early Access, the studio published an official known-issues list one day after release, grouping active problems into performance (crashes, long boot times, Live Mode stutters), Live Mode and Paramaker (fire behavior, critical-need interaction blocking, Paramaker motion sickness), and interface and saving (windows that will not close, save files that fail to load). The team reported over 150,000 bug and suggestion reports in the first weeks and committed to ongoing fixes through a stabilization window. The first stability patch, Patch 0.1.2, shipped on May 29, 2026, fixing the uncloseable interface windows, adding autonomous fire extinguishing, easing train motion sickness, and reducing save-file corruption. See Known Issues for the full list and current workarounds.162162Was AI Used to Make the Game?164164No. In the studio's first post-launch developer question-and-answer session, the team stated that no AI was used in the development of the game. The project began as a solo effort in 2019 and grew into a small team supported by community funding.
