Build Mode

The Build Mode in Paralives is the game's home construction and decoration system. It is one of the most prominent selling points of the game, offering a grid-free approach to building that allows curved walls, walls at any angle, split-level floors, fully resizable furniture, and comprehensive color and texture customization. The development team has described the Build Mode tools as designed to be "easy to use but powerful for advanced builders."

Catalog Organization

The Build Mode interface organizes all building tools and objects through 5 main catalog tabs:

The catalog features over 100 categories and subcategories, with icons designed by the team to make navigation intuitive.

Grid-Free Construction

Unlike traditional life simulation games that confine building to a fixed grid, Paralives uses a grid-free construction system. Players can draw walls of any precise length and at any angle. An optional grid is available for players who prefer structured, aligned placement, but it is not required. This system was inspired by the road-drawing tool in Cities: Skylines, which Alex Massé adapted for house construction.

The grid-free approach means that rooms do not need to be rectangular. Players can create angled hallways, irregular room shapes, and organic layouts that would be impossible in grid-based building systems. Snapping assistance is available to help align walls and objects when desired, giving players the choice between complete freedom and guided placement.

Walls

Walls in Paralives can be placed at any angle and drawn to any length. The wall tool supports both straight and curved segments, allowing players to create circular rooms, bay windows, rounded alcoves, and other curved architectural elements. Existing walls can be moved after placement, and their textures, colors, and materials can be customized individually on each side.

Curved Walls

The curved wall feature is one of Build Mode's signature capabilities. Players can draw walls along curved paths, creating smooth arcs and circles. Windows and doors can be placed on curved walls, conforming to the wall's shape. This opens up architectural possibilities such as turrets, rounded sunrooms, and flowing interior spaces that break away from the boxy designs typical of grid-based builders.

Floors and Split-Level Platforms

Paralives supports multiple floors and split-level platforms. Split-level construction allows players to create rooms at different heights on the same story, enabling designs such as sunken living rooms, raised dining areas, or loft spaces. Floors can be customized with different textures and colors, and floor textures can be rotated to achieve the desired look.

The foundation system automatically adjusts beneath enclosed spaces. When a room is created, the tool fixes the foundation below it, keeping the structural logic consistent as the player builds.

While windows can be resized freely, doors cannot be resized due to a technical limitation. This is because door dimensions are tied to Parafolk navigation and pathfinding; changing door size would break the ability for characters to walk through them properly. Players can, however, choose from different door styles and customize their color, material, and handle style.

Upper Floor Assist and Floor Duplication

Build Mode includes an upper floor assist feature that makes it easier to construct additional stories. When building upward, the tool provides guides and snapping to help align walls with the floor below. Additionally, a floor duplication button allows players to copy the entire layout of one floor and duplicate it to create another story, significantly speeding up the construction of multi-level homes.

Roofs and Stairs

Basic roof placement tools and a customizable stair object are included at Early Access launch. The roof tools allow players to add roofing to their builds, while the stair object can be placed and customized. Advanced roof and stair tools, including more complex roof shapes and additional stair designs, are planned for post-launch updates during the Early Access period.

Object Placement and Customization

Objects in Build Mode can be placed freely without grid restrictions. Every object, from furniture to outdoor decorations, can be resized to any dimension using a sliding scale (not limited to preset 2x or 3x multipliers). Objects can be rotated freely at any angle rather than snapping to preset orientations. They can also be stacked on top of each other to create layered arrangements and a lived-in feeling.

Resizing Examples

• Turn a single bed into a double bed by stretching its width

• Adjust the length of curtains to match different window heights

• Scale outdoor plants and rocks to fit the landscape

• Resize wall art to fill large or small wall spaces

• Adjust furniture dimensions to fit unusual room shapes

Color and Texture Customization

Every surface and object in Build Mode can be recolored and retextured. The game uses a color wheel system that allows players to select any color visually. Players who want precise control can enter hex codes directly. Custom color selections can be saved as swatches for reuse across different objects and projects.

What Can Be Customized

Terrain Editing

Build Mode includes terrain manipulation tools that allow players to shape the land around their homes. Terrain can be elevated, smoothed, and flattened. Players can paint different ground textures such as grass and dirt, and place lakes on their lots. These tools give builders control over the landscape, not just the structures on it.

Measuring Tools

An in-game measuring tape tool lets players check precise dimensions while building. This is particularly useful for players who want to recreate real-world floor plans or ensure symmetrical designs. The measuring tool works with the grid-free system, providing exact length measurements regardless of wall angles.

Lots

The open-world town contains approximately 50 to 70 lots of various types, including residential homes, shops, parks, and public buildings. Lots are fully customizable and resizable, meaning players can adjust lot boundaries to create larger or smaller properties. Pre-built houses are available for players who want to skip the building process and jump straight into Live Mode.

Modding

Build Mode supports modding through Steam Workshop integration from day one. Players can create custom furniture, objects, and build pieces using the game's built-in modding tools and upload them directly to the Workshop. Other players can then browse, download, and install this custom content. Script mods are not supported at this time; the modding system focuses on content creation rather than gameplay modification.

Planned Features During Early Access

Several additional Build Mode features are planned for free updates during the Early Access period. These were not included in the initial launch but are part of the studio's development roadmap:

Comparison to Grid-Based Builders