Revision 3

Overview

Paralives takes place in an open world town that players can explore seamlessly without loading screens. Unlike the lot-based system used in The Sims franchise, 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.

The 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.

Town Layout and Design

The town features 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.

Several 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.

Confirmed Venues and Shops

The following venues and businesses have been confirmed for the town:

All 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.

No Loading Screens

One 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.

This 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.

Transportation

Parafolk 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.

Bus System

The 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.

Future Transportation

Cars, 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.

Jobs and Careers

The 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.

Key features of the career system include:

• Multiple jobs: A Parafolk can hold more than one job at the same time, as long as their schedules do not conflict

• Flexible scheduling: Each job has specific working hours and days that can be selected by the player

• Varied categories: Job categories span software development, art, food, music, education, service, management, maintenance, health care, science, and fitness

• Diverse roles: Available positions include manager, nurse, dermatologist, software engineer, waiter, assistant, receptionist, clerk, teacher, musician, chef, and researcher

• Salary and rank: Each job comes with a daily salary and a rank, both of which can improve as the Parafolk gains experience and skills

At 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.

Activities and Events

The 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.

The 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.

Town Events and The New Paper

Parafolk 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.

Future Expansion

The 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.