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Roadmap and Planned Features - Version 33 vs Version 34
Sep 21, 2026, 11:14 AM
Resolved the Q4 2026 table row that still said the update scope was unnamed, added the September 15 major update item preview and the studio's September status note, expanded the extra classes preview with the six subjects, and re-dated verified claims to September 21
Sep 21, 2026, 11:18 AM
Embedded the official September 15 preview image of crime-scene themed items in the major update section
11Paralives launched into Steam Early Access on Monday, May 25, 2026, at $39.99 USD on PC and macOS. The Early Access period is expected to last approximately two years, after which the game will exit Early Access with a 1.0 release. Throughout the Early Access window, content updates will arrive as free patches under the studio's no-paid-DLC commitment.22This article is the canonical reference for the Day 1 vs post-launch feature split, as confirmed in the May 7, 2026 Early Access feature recap. Where prior drafts grouped pets, vehicles, swimming, weather, and other major systems as launch content, this version reflects the explicit Day 1 carveouts the studio has now published. For the broader Early Access framing, pricing, and language support, see Early Access. For the studio's broader history, see Paralives Studio and Development History.44Update: the features previewed for the August 2026 patch shipped in Patch 0.1.7 on August 10, 2026, including the baby visual rework, the indoor lighting revamp and bed slot assignment. Weather and seasons, pets gameplay and pools remain unshipped and are still listed for the Early Access window. Patch 0.1.8, on August 24, 2026, scaled the patch list back deliberately: the studio said it had begun work on the first big Paralives update, a free expansion aimed at the end of 2026, and that regular patches would be spaced further apart while that work proceeds. Hotfix 0.1.8b followed on August 28, 2026. The studio now labels that end-of-year expansion version 0.2.0, and its public feature roadmap tags eight in-progress entries with that version number; those entries are listed under First Major Content Update below.66Launch-Week Pricing and Post-Release Cadence88On May 22, 2026, ahead of the Monday launch, the studio published the post-release roadmap and a launch-week pricing detail. The summary below collects the dated milestones the studio committed to in that announcement. The roadmap is explicitly subject to change as the studio responds to the launch build's stability and community feedback.1010WindowFocusMay 25, 2026Early Access launch at $39.99 USD with a 10% launch-week discount, bringing the launch price to $35.99 USD with Steam regional pricing applied.June to September 2026Performance optimization, bug fixes, tweaks to existing features, and quality-of-life improvements. The studio has indicated this period will not introduce new systems; the goal is to stabilize the Day 1 build before content updates begin.Q4 2026First major content update. The studio labels this update version 0.2.0 and its public feature roadmap tags eight in-progress entries with that version (see First Major Content Update below); it is the first scheduled content drop after the stabilization phase.Approximately two yearsRolling free updates rolling out the post-launch features listed below (pets, weather and seasons, vehicles, pools, swimming, basements, gardening, fishing, social events, family tree, calendar, town editor, calling and online chatting, and more). The studio has not committed to a fixed quarterly cadence beyond Q4 2026's first major update.1212The launch-week discount is a one-time pricing event tied to the May 25 launch. After the discount window, the price returns to $39.99 USD and rises further as content is added throughout Early Access. Players who buy at any point during Early Access receive every future update for free under the no-paid-DLC commitment.1313Day 1 Launch on May 25, 20261515The launch build covers the three core gameplay pillars and the systems that anchor them. The table below collects the systems and venues that are confirmed Day 1.1717SystemConfirmed Scope at LaunchParamakerGender-neutral base preset, sliders for chest, hips, buttocks, and height; color wheel for skin, hair, and eye colors; asymmetry options for eye color and clothing accessories; layered clothing top mixing; tattoos; gender-identity assignment independent of body presentationBuild ModeColor wheel for every object and surface, curved walls and walls at any angle, optional grid-less placement for walls AND objects, split-level platforms, multi-floor construction, object resizing via corner anchors, in-game measuring tape, stairs, roofs, fences, basic terrain toolsLive ModeOpen-world town with no loading screens between lots, day-night cycle, character autonomy, multi-Parafolk group selection, personality traits, emotions, wants, needs, skillsCareers11 named domains; named workplaces at Bloom, Headlines, Museum, SuperGamezPlus Inc., schools, and cafes; rabbit-hole shifts at launch; daily upgrade choice via the Expertise System; multi-job mechanic when schedules alignExpertise SystemRank Upgrade, Expertise Upgrade, Extra Upgrade branches; Application Points hiring; cross-domain expertise transferCooking SystemFull cooking system covering recipes and food spoilageEconomy and BillsWeekly lot tax, electricity, water cycle; paradime balance shared across the householdPregnancy and BirthConfirmed Day 1; aging and death also Day 1LifestagesBaby (Sasha), Toddler, Child (Eli), Preteen, Teenager, Young Adult, Adult, Elder all Day 1Fire and DeathConfirmed Day 1 death-cause setTown VenuesMuseum, L'Armoire, Market Antiques, Bloom, Headlines, SuperGamezPlus Inc., Premium Gym, Creme Cafe, The Story Nook, Chez Maurice, schoolsTown EventsPark Yoga (Sun / Tue / Thu, Fitness skill), Marketplace (Sun, oddities and painter stalls), Astronomy Club (Mon / Wed / Fri, Science skill at the mountaintop), Buried Treasure Hunt (Thu, around 20 build-mode-asset chests across town and the castle exterior)TransportationPL130 bus line and Bus Stops; 3 paradimes per rideModding and Steam WorkshopDay 1 in-game modding tools and Workshop publishing; Control Panel via Ctrl+F2; mod storage under AppData LocalLow ParalivesSoundtrack and MusicContextual Live Mode music; 16 mixed and mastered tracks + 12 radio tracks; custom radio music supported via moddingPhoto ModePhoto Mode capture; assets are moddable; time-of-day adjustment, animation frame selection, filters, depth of field, bloom, frames, and stickersAnimations and Ambient Animations191 new animations added in 2025; 11 new ambient town animations with confirmed variations; walk styles vary by personality + emotional state + life stageHelp MenuIn-game help menu introduced March 24, 20261919Post-Launch Free Updates2020Several systems are confirmed for free updates during the Early Access period rather than at Day 1. The table below collects the post-launch additions the studio has explicitly named. Specific patch dates are intentionally not committed.2222FeatureStatusPets (dogs, cats, horses)Free update during Early AccessVehicles (cars, bikes)Free update during Early AccessBoats and houseboatsFree update during Early AccessSwimming and poolsFree update during Early AccessWeather and seasonsFree update during Early AccessCalendarFree update during Early AccessFamily tree UIFree update during Early Access; genetics system itself is Day 1, but the family-tree viewer is post-launchGardeningFree update during Early AccessFishingFree update during Early AccessStory progression for NPCsFree update during Early AccessOrganized social events (weddings, parties)Free update during Early AccessTown editing tools and new district creationFree update during Early AccessAdvanced roof and stair toolsFree update during Early AccessBasementsFree update during Early AccessCurved doors and windowsFree update during Early AccessPet creation toolsFree update during Early Access (after the pets update lands)Calling Paras over the phone and chatting onlineFree update during Early Access; carved out of Day 1 explicitly2424Each of these will arrive as a free patch under the no-paid-DLC commitment. The studio has explicitly avoided committing to specific patch dates while the launch build stabilizes. The ordering of updates will be shaped by community feedback, technical opportunity, and the team's evolving priorities during Early Access. See Community for the broader community-engagement framing.2525Deferred or Carved Out2727The following features have either been explicitly deferred or were never on the roadmap. Players should treat them as not promised.2929FeatureReason / StatusScript modsNot supported. The studio’s official FAQ states that script mods are not planned at the moment; the toolkit covers content and parameter mods onlyConsole versionsNot planned; PC and macOS onlyMobile versionsNot planned; PC and macOS onlyController and Steam Deck supportStill not declared on the Steam store listing as of September 21, 2026; keyboard and mouse are the supported input. The studio has said controller support would be the first step toward any console workMultiplayer or co-opNot planned; single-player onlyMature content (drugs, gore, murder, sexual violence, pornography)Excluded by the Teen-rating targetOccult / supernatural characters (vampires, werewolves)Targeted for post-Early Access, not part of the EA roadmap windowCross-platform multiplayer or cloud sharing of householdsNot planned; the game is single-player and local-only3232Building, Building Mode, and Customization3333Build Mode continues to grow through Early Access. Day 1 covers the core toolset, but several advanced toggles arrive later.3535Curved doors and windows arrive post-launchBasement construction arrives post-launchAdvanced roof tools (more roof shapes, dormers, complex overhangs) arrive post-launchAdvanced stair tools (spiral stairs, custom landings) arrive post-launchTown editing tools that let players add or modify districts arrive post-launchPool tools arrive post-launch alongside swimming3737Live Mode Expansions3939Live Mode systems also expand during Early Access. The post-launch list below mixes lifestyle, parenting, and routine-life additions.4141Pet creation tools and pet behavior, after pets shipCalendar integration so household members can schedule eventsFamily tree UI to visualize relationships and ancestryStory progression for NPCs so the wider town ages and lives independentlyCalling and online chatting so social systems reach across the townGardening, fishing, and additional hobbies that expand the hobby libraryAdditional traits, vibes, and lifestyles to deepen personality customization4343Paramaker Additions4545Paramaker also gains content during Early Access. The launch toolset is already broad, but planned additions include:4747More hairstyles and clothing optionsPitch sliders for voice variationMore Vibes, Talents, and Social PerksExpanded asymmetry hooks for additional accessory categoriesModding support for Vibes, Talents, Social Perks, Together Cards, and Relationship labels4949Modding Roadmap5151Modding and Steam Workshop is Day 1, but the modding toolkit also expands during Early Access. The Day 1 toolkit covers Build Mode assets, Paramaker assets, Photo Mode assets, careers, genetics, rabbit holes, recipes, TV channels, relationship labels, together cards, vibes, wants, food, and custom radio music. Planned additions during Early Access include broader asset categories, additional file format support, and more granular configuration hooks. Script mods remain under consideration without a firm timeline.5353Recent Showcase Highlights5555Several April and May 2026 dev showcases helped tighten expectations for the launch build.5757DateTopicNotesApril 2, 2026Town Events ShowcaseFirst public look at scheduled town events including the Sunday marketplace and the Thursday Buried Treasure HuntApril 7, 2026New Building Sneak PeekReveal of an additional commercial building added to the open worldApril 9, 2026Museum ShowcaseReveal of the in-town museum venue with the collectibles donation pipelineApril 14, 2026Town AnimationsAmbient town animations layered onto venues and pedestriansApril 23, 2026Walking AnimationsNew walking animation set driven by Vibes, Emotions, and LifestagesMay 5, 2026Early Access Golden RecapInternal milestone marker that locked the planned Day 1 buildMay 7, 2026Early Access Features RecapExplicit Day 1 vs post-launch carveouts; this article's canonical source6060Long-Term 1.0 Goals6161The studio has indicated that the 1.0 release, targeted for sometime in 2028, will collect every Early Access free update plus additional content. Beyond the post-launch feature list, the studio has noted several stretch goals that may or may not land by 1.0:6363Additional death types beyond the launch setDeeper parenting gameplay and a simple child-services systemBaby carriers for transporting babies around the worldLibrary and bookshop venue typesAdditional retail venue types with ordering and delivery systemsCell towers and broader NPC communication systemsNon-life-threatening illnessesObjects that influence Parafolk emotions and behavior in finer-grained ways6565None of these stretch goals are committed to a specific patch. They reflect the studio's broader direction rather than a guaranteed feature schedule.6767How the Roadmap Will Evolve6969Roadmaps in long-running Early Access games shift as priorities change. The Paralives team has been candid that the Day 1 build is the starting point for an iterative, feedback-driven Early Access window of approximately two years. Players who join at launch should expect both a steady stream of free updates and occasional reshufflings of the order in which planned features arrive. The studio plans to communicate roadmap changes through its public posts and patch notes as they happen, rather than committing to a fixed quarterly cadence.71711.0 Target Year7373The studio has stated the Early Access window is expected to last approximately two years, with a 1.0 release targeted for 2028. The 1.0 build will roll up every free Early Access update plus additional content not yet detailed.7575Stability Window Confirmed (June to September 2026)7777As of the Day-0 patch announcement (May 25, 2026), the studio reaffirmed that the four months following launch are reserved exclusively for performance optimization, hotfixes, and quality of life. No new gameplay systems are scheduled for this window; the focus is on stabilizing the launch build, addressing reported bugs, and improving Live Mode behavior before the first major content drop.7979First Major Content Update (Q4 2026)8181The first major free content update is scheduled for the end of 2026, and the studio calls it version 0.2.0. Alongside Patch 0.1.8 on August 24, 2026, the team said it had moved on to that update and that regular patches would be spaced further apart while the work continues, with hotfixes still shipping as needed. The public feature roadmap now tags eight in-progress entries with the 0.2.0 version marker, which is the closest thing to a named scope the studio has published: more Together Cards, broader improvements to social gameplay and Together Cards, a pass on economy and progression balance, new interactions, general quality-of-life improvements and fixes to existing systems, an entry the studio labels only as secrets, more objects, furniture and decoration in Build Mode, and more clothing items, hairstyles and accessories in the Paramaker. Notably, pets, weather and seasons, and pools are not among the 0.2.0-tagged entries; all three still sit under the wider 2026 to 2028 Early Access bucket. The studio continues to describe the roadmap as subject to change and has not published a release date inside the end-of-2026 window.8383Deferred Pending Confirmation8585The exact release date inside the end-of-2026 window for update 0.2.0, and how much of the eight tagged workstreams ships in it.Post-Q4 patch cadence, the studio has not committed to a monthly or quarterly rhythm.Whether Steam Deck Verified status will arrive during Early Access. No Steam Deck compatibility rating appears on the store listing as of September 21, 2026.Console versions, currently no plans; Xbox is described as under consideration but not committed.8787Developer Q&A Confirmations (Post-Launch)8989In the studio's first post-launch developer question-and-answer session, the team confirmed several features as planned for delivery during the Early Access window. All of the items below are planned future updates rather than mechanics present in the current build, and each will arrive as a free update for existing owners.9191Planned featureStatus as stated by the studioGardeningBasic gardening is planned for a future Early Access update. Deeper farming or ranching depends on how players respond to the initial implementation.PetsDogs, cats, and horses are confirmed as planned for Early Access. Other pet types may be considered later.Vehicles and garagesCars and garages are planned for a future Early Access update.Steam achievementsPlanned during Early Access, with no committed timeline. Still not implemented as of September 21, 2026: the store listing carries no achievements block and the studio’s feature roadmap still lists Steam achievements as scheduled rather than done.Steam Cloud savesShipped. Patch 0.1.5 on July 2, 2026 added Steam Cloud syncing for save files.Teen romanceShipped. Patch 0.1.3 on June 6, 2026 let Teenagers flirt and form romantic relationships with other Teenagers.Together Cards expansionConfirmed for the end-of-2026 update. Two entries on the public feature roadmap, creating more Together Cards and improving social gameplay around them, now carry the 0.2.0 version tag.9393The team also named several systems that are not planned for the current roadmap, to set expectations during Early Access:9494Occults and supernaturals (including mermaids, vampires, and werewolves) are listed on the roadmap with an "unsure" label. They are not planned for now and would only be considered after Early Access ends.Schools and workplaces that are not rabbit-hole (offscreen) destinations are not planned for now.Political gameplay is not on the studio's list of priorities.Additional towns or cities beyond the launch town are not on the roadmap for now.A multitasking system is not planned for now, as it is technically challenging.An alternative to the Together Cards relationship system is not planned, as the system is considered core to the game's design.9696On platforms, the studio said it would like to work on console versions later, after bug fixes and gameplay improvements, with controller support as the first step. A Steam Deck pass and cloud-streaming support are both being considered later in Early Access, with cloud saves needed first for streaming.9898Patch Preview Ahead of August 10, 2026100100Through late July and early August 2026 the studio previewed the patch in a series of short sneak-peek posts and confirmed a release date of August 10, 2026. Three changes were shown ahead of the update; all three shipped in Patch 0.1.7 on that date.102102Previewed ChangeWhat the Studio ShowedUpdated baby visualsA reworked look for babies, previewed on July 28, 2026 with the note that "the babies needed some work"Indoor lights revampIndoor lights look more realistic, have better range, and no longer light up walls as brightlyBed slot assignmentParafolk can be assigned their own side of the bed, so a Para's spot stays freeCrime-scene themed itemsTwo chalk body outlines, numbered evidence markers and a knife on a stone floor, shown on September 15, 2026 as new items for the major update105105Next Patch Preview (September 2026)106106On September 3, 2026 the studio posted a sneak peek for the next patch: younger Parafolk will be able to take extra classes to raise their grades. The accompanying short clip shows the option on the Elementary School lot as a Take an extra class menu with six subjects: Science, Parli, Physical Education, Art, Music and Math. It is the first feature the studio has previewed since Patch 0.1.8, and it extends the School system rather than the end-of-2026 update. No release date has been given for that patch.108108Major Update Preview (September 15, 2026)110110On September 15, 2026 the studio posted a Sneak Peek of the Week teasing the new items its major update will include. The single image shows a set of crime-scene themed decorative pieces for Build Mode: two chalk body outlines, numbered yellow evidence markers and a knife laid out on a stone floor. The studio described them only as items, so they belong to the Build Mode entry for more objects, furniture and decoration tagged 0.2.0 above; no gameplay system was shown or named alongside them, and the official FAQ still lists murder among the mature themes the game does not contain.112112The studio's development page carries a dated status line for September 2026: the team is working on new content and improvements to the gameplay systems for the first major update due at the end of 2026, alongside bug fixes for hotfix patches. No patch or hotfix had shipped between Hotfix 0.1.8b on August 28, 2026 and September 21, 2026.114115Official Development Roadmap Breakdown (September 2026)116117Paralives Studio maintains a public feature-by-feature development roadmap, linked from the official development page, which tracks every planned item by module and status. As of September 21, 2026 it holds 357 entries across five modules.118119ModuleEntriesScopeLive Mode114Simulation, social, careers, needs, autonomy and story systemsBuild Mode96Wall, roof, stair, terrain and object tools plus catalog contentParamaker95Character creation, genetics, clothing and pet creationGeneral Features30Platform-level work such as Steam Workshop, achievements and lightingModding Tools22Asset pipeline, data editing and modder-facing utilities120121By status the same list breaks down as 283 entries marked done, 61 scheduled for the Early Access window running 2026 to 2028, 11 in progress, and 2 under consideration for after the full release.121122In Progress (September 2026)123124Eleven entries are marked in progress, up from four in July 2026, and eight of them carry a 0.2.0 version tag that identifies them as work on the end-of-2026 update. Three untagged entries sit in Live Mode: fixing bugs related to babies and toddlers, fixing assorted Live Mode gameplay bugs, and letting new characters move into town. The eight tagged entries are listed below.125126Module0.2.0 entryLive ModeCreate more Together CardsLive ModeImprove social gameplay and Together CardsLive ModeBalance the economy and game progressionLive ModeNew interactionsLive ModeVarious quality of life improvements and fixes to existing gameplay systemsLive ModeSecrets, listed without further detailBuild ModeAdd more objects, furniture and decoration for the next major updateParamakerCreate more clothing items, hairstyles and accessories for the next major update127128Under Consideration After 1.0128129Two entries are flagged as unsure and reserved for after the full release rather than the Early Access window: supernaturals in Live Mode, and an automatic roof tool in Build Mode. Neither is a commitment, and neither should be read as a planned Early Access feature.130131Selected Early Access Entries Not Yet Covered Elsewhere132133A sexual orientation and preference system, and story progression for Townies so that non-player Paras form new relationships and change careers on their own.A calendar menu showing the schedule of Parafolk, and a family tree menu.Storing leftovers in the fridge, a basic gardening system, and objects that have effects on characters.Steam achievements, improved lighting systems, and in-game tutorials for both Build Mode and the Paramaker.Build Mode tools to move whole rooms, place premade rooms from a catalog, generate roads and sidewalks, create garages and parking spaces, and build houseboats.A pitch slider for Para voices, search and filter in the Paramaker catalogs, and an improved skin tone color wheel.
