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Open World and Town - Version 11 vs Version 12
May 15, 2026, 07:10 PM
Added an explicit four-district breakdown (Old Town, Industrial, Mountain, Countryside) so the canonical launch district count is stated in this article
May 20, 2026, 12:51 PM
Named the open-world town Melino
11Overview22Paralives takes place in an open world town that players can explore seamlessly without loading screens. Unlike lot-based systems used in some other life simulation games, where players must select a specific lot and wait for it to load, Paralives allows Parafolk to walk, bike, or drive between locations in a continuous, uninterrupted world. This design makes the town feel like a living, connected community rather than a collection of isolated spaces.3+Paralives takes place in an open-world town named Melino that players can explore seamlessly without loading screens. Unlike lot-based systems used in some other life simulation games, where players must select a specific lot and wait for it to load, Paralives allows Parafolk to walk, bike, or drive between locations in a continuous, uninterrupted world. This design makes the town feel like a living, connected community rather than a collection of isolated spaces.44The town is a hilly coastal area with green hills, winding paths, cliffs, tunnels, and a variety of buildings. It is designed to feel like a real neighborhood where Parafolk live, work, shop, and socialize. The open world approach encourages exploration and spontaneous interactions, allowing players to stumble upon interesting locations and situations as their characters go about their daily lives.66Town Layout and Design88The town has a diverse mix of residential areas, commercial districts, and public spaces. The terrain includes elevated hills, coastal cliffs, and lower-lying areas connected by roads and pathways. Buildings range from quirky antique shops and cozy cafes to tall apartment blocks and public facilities.1010Several commercial lots provide shopping and dining opportunities. The developers have confirmed that some lots in town will be left empty at the Early Access launch, with new businesses opening in later updates as features are added. For example, a pet shop may open when pets are introduced to the game. This approach allows the town to grow organically alongside the game's development and gives the world a sense of progression.1313Districts1515The launch town is divided into four districts, each with its own architectural style, atmosphere, and role in daily life. The four districts are described below; the full per-district catalog of landmarks and venues lives on the Town Districts page.1717DistrictCharacterHighlightsOld TownHistorical heart, European-inspired stone architectureCastle from the town's founding, narrow streets, central plaza with marketplace and clothing storeIndustrialBrick factories and renovated loftsEdwards and Co. Factory; mix of decay and modern livingMountainNatural landscape separated from the rest of town by a chasmHiking trails, scenic rest stop with binoculars, train access, host of the Astronomy Club eventCountrysideSpacious rural lotsLarge residential builds and quiet living for players who prefer rural lifestyles1919There are no other named districts in the launch build. Commercial and civic venues such as the museum, the gym, the bookstore, and the hair salon sit inside Old Town and the surrounding districts rather than in a separate downtown district. Town editing tools that allow players to add or reshape districts arrive as a free update during the Early Access period.2020Confirmed Venues and Shops2222The following venues and businesses have been confirmed for the town:2424VenueTypeDescriptionBarbershopServiceA shop where Parafolk can get haircuts and change their hairstyleFlower ShopRetailA store selling flowers and floral arrangementsMarket AntiquesRetailAn antique store located in the town plaza selling vintage itemsClothing ShopRetailA classy clothing store for purchasing outfitsRestaurantsDiningPlaces where Parafolk can eat meals and socializeParksPublicGreen spaces for outdoor activities and socializingMuseumsCulturalCultural venues for Parafolk to visit and explore2626All confirmed shops and venues can be physically entered by Parafolk. They are not rabbit holes (locations where characters disappear and reappear after a timer). Players can follow their characters inside, watch them interact with the environment, and make choices about what they do there.2727No Loading Screens2929One of the most significant design decisions in Paralives is the elimination of loading screens between locations. In many life simulation games, traveling between lots triggers a loading screen that breaks the flow of gameplay. In Paralives, the entire town is rendered as a single continuous space. Parafolk can walk out their front door, stroll down the street, enter a shop, and return home without ever seeing a loading screen.3131This seamless approach extends to building interiors. Entering and exiting buildings happens in real time, with no transition screens or delays. The result is a world that feels fluid and immersive, encouraging players to explore and engage with the town rather than fast-traveling between predetermined points.3333Transportation3535Parafolk can get around the town using several modes of transportation. Walking is the default, but bikes and cars are planned as additional options. These vehicles will allow characters to cover longer distances more quickly while still maintaining the seamless, uninterrupted experience. Cars and bikes are not available at Early Access launch but are confirmed for a later update during the Early Access period.3737Bus System4040The primary public transportation option at Early Access launch is the bus system. Bus stops are scattered across the town, and each trip costs 3 Paradimes regardless of distance. The bus line is designated PL130. When a Parafolk selects a bus stop, a menu appears showing all available destinations. After selecting one, the game uses a fade-to-black transition rather than an animated ride, prioritizing gameplay speed over visual detail. The developers remain open to adding animated bus sequences in future updates.4242Future Transportation4444Cars, bikes, boats, and houseboats are not available at launch but are confirmed for free updates during the Early Access period. Railroads are visible across several town districts in development previews and trailers. A train ticket has also appeared in the Paramaker UI, though there is currently no official statement on whether trains will be functional or purely decorative.4646Jobs and Careers4848The town provides employment opportunities for Parafolk through a flexible career system. Rather than following a rigid career ladder where a character is automatically promoted to higher positions over time, Paralives uses a non-linear approach. A Nurse, for instance, will not be promoted to Doctor. Instead, the Nurse will improve relevant skills (such as social skills for dealing with patients) and become a more highly qualified Nurse with a better salary.5050Key features of the career system include:5353Multiple jobs: A Parafolk can hold more than one job at the same time, as long as their schedules do not conflictFlexible scheduling: Each job has specific working hours and days that can be selected by the playerVaried categories: Job categories span software development, art, food, music, education, service, management, maintenance, health care, science, and fitnessDiverse roles: Available positions include manager, nurse, dermatologist, software engineer, waiter, assistant, receptionist, clerk, teacher, musician, chef, and researcherSalary and rank: Each job comes with a daily salary and a rank, both of which can improve as the Parafolk gains experience and skills5555At launch, work functions as a rabbit hole, meaning the Parafolk disappears for the duration of their shift. Working from home is not available initially, though the developers have not ruled it out for a future update.5757Activities and Events5959The town offers a variety of activities for Parafolk to enjoy beyond work and shopping. Players can send their characters to eat at restaurants, visit museums, relax in parks, and socialize with neighbors. Festivals and community events are planned as part of the town's social calendar, providing seasonal activities and group gatherings.6161The relationships and social system is deeply integrated with town activities. Meeting friends at a park or sharing a meal at a restaurant fills the Together Bar and generates context-specific Together Cards, making outings a productive way to develop and strengthen relationships.6363Town Events and the New Paper6565Parafolk learn about upcoming town events by reading The New Paper, a daily newspaper delivered to each household. The newspaper lists events, job opportunities, and other items of interest. All known events take place in public spaces and are free to attend. Events provide opportunities to purchase or find items and progress relevant Knowledge and Skills. Festivals and community gatherings are planned as part of the town's social calendar, providing seasonal activities and group events that tie into the relationships system.6767Future Expansion6969The developers have outlined plans to expand the town significantly during the Early Access period. Planned additions include new shops (such as a pet shop when pets are added), town editing tools that allow players to customize the layout and appearance of the town, and additional activities and events. The goal is for the town to grow alongside the game, with each major update bringing new reasons to explore.
