Early Access

Overview

Paralives is launching into Early Access on May 25, 2026, exclusively on Steam for PC (Windows) and Mac. The Early Access phase represents the first time the general public can purchase and play the game. It includes the core gameplay experience across all three main modes: the Paramaker (character creator), Build Mode, and Live Mode. The development team plans to use the Early Access period to gather feedback, fix bugs, and add significant new features through free updates.

Timeline

The path to Early Access has been shaped by community feedback and a commitment to quality:

The Delay

Paralives was originally scheduled to enter Early Access on December 8, 2025. On November 14, 2025, less than a month before the planned launch, Alex Masse published a message titled "A Message from the Team" announcing that the release would be postponed to May 25, 2026.

In the lead-up to the original release date, the team had broadened their playtests to include a more varied group of players. The feedback from these expanded playtests was the catalyst for the delay. Alex Masse explained that "the latest feedback we received made us realize the game isn't up to the standard we wanted it to meet for release."

Specific Issues Identified

The playtesting revealed several areas that needed improvement before the game was ready for a public launch:

• Live Mode bugs: Playtesters encountered impactful bugs in Live Mode that disrupted the gameplay experience

• Lack of town activities: There were not enough things to do in the open world town, which dampened players' enjoyment and limited the amount of engaging content available at launch

• First-time user experience: The overall flow for new players needed polish to ensure a smooth and enjoyable introduction to the game

Community Reaction

The delay announcement came as a surprise to the community, many of whom had been eagerly counting down to the December 8 date. The team acknowledged the disappointment and expressed that they were "truly sorry for the last-minute announcement." Despite the initial frustration, much of the community responded with understanding, recognizing that launching a polished product was more important than meeting an arbitrary deadline.

The positive reception of the Paramaker and Build Mode during playtests was encouraging. Players praised the flexibility and depth of the customization tools. The issues were concentrated in Live Mode and the town, which became the primary focus areas for the additional development time.

What Is Included in Early Access

The Early Access version of Paralives includes the three core gameplay pillars:

Paramaker (Character Creator)

The Paramaker is the character creation tool where players design their Parafolk. It features:

• A height slider for adjusting character height to reflect real-world diversity

• Sliders for nearly every part of the body, including facial features, chest, hips, buttocks, and more

• A single gender-neutral body frame that can be customized freely

• Asymmetrical customization options for socks, earrings, shoes, and facial features

• A tattoo system where tattoos can be placed, resized, and rotated anywhere on the body, including the face

• A clothing layer system with tops, bottoms, full-body outfits, tights, leggings, and outer layers like coats

• Personality traits, talents, and preferences that affect gameplay behavior

Build Mode

Build Mode allows players to construct and decorate homes with a level of freedom that surpasses traditional grid-based building systems:

• Grid-free placement of walls, objects, and decorations at any position and angle

• Curved walls and diagonal walls

• Split-level floors for multi-level room designs

• Object resizing (for example, stretching a single bed into a double or king-size bed)

• Complete color and texture customization via a color wheel

• Up to eight stories of construction

Live Mode

Live Mode is where players control their Parafolk in the open world town:

• Needs system (hunger, energy, hygiene, social, fun, etc.)

• Personality traits that influence behavior and autonomy

• Skills that can be developed through practice (Music, Fitness, Food, Technology, Art)

• Emotions that change based on events and interactions

• Character autonomy where Parafolk make their own decisions when not directed

• The relationship system with labels and Together Cards

• Career system with multiple job categories and non-linear progression

• Cooking with skill-based recipes and food that can spoil if not stored properly

• Aging, having children, and death

• Bills and household expenses

• House fires as emergencies

• Shops, restaurants, and museums in the town

Pricing

Paralives is priced at $39.99 USD for the Early Access launch. The development team has stated that the price will gradually increase as more content is added during the Early Access period, reaching a higher price at the full 1.0 release. Players who buy the game during Early Access will pay less overall and will receive all future updates and content additions for free.

There will be no paid DLC. Every update, expansion, and new feature will be included in the base game at no additional cost. See the Modding and Steam Workshop article for more details on the content and monetization philosophy.

Expected Duration

According to Alex Masse, Paralives is expected to remain in Early Access for approximately two years before the 1.0 full release. This means the full version is tentatively targeted for sometime in 2028, though the exact timeline remains subject to change based on development progress and community feedback.

The development team has published a detailed roadmap outlining what will be added during the Early Access period. The roadmap focuses on improving existing systems, adding missing features, and expanding the world based on player feedback.

Post-Launch Roadmap

The following features are planned as free updates during the Early Access period:

The team has emphasized that the roadmap is a living document. Priorities may shift based on community feedback, technical challenges, and development opportunities that arise during the Early Access period.