Revision 2

Overview

Shopping in Paralives refers to all activities that allow Parafolk to purchase goods and services. At the Early Access launch, shopping opportunities will be limited and will grow with later updates. All purchases are made with the in-game currency, paradimes. Players can send their Parafolk out into the open world to visit commercial lots and interact with the businesses located there.

When Parafolk visit commercial lots, they can sometimes buy items. These are items already found elsewhere in the game. For instance, furniture that also exists in Build Mode can sometimes be purchased at a shop. The price, however, may be cheaper than in the catalog, or even free. This creates a practical incentive for players to have their Parafolk visit stores in person rather than always relying on the Build Mode catalog, as some deals are only available by physically traveling to a location.

Some lots also provide services rather than physical goods. The Premium Gym, for example, allows Parafolk to exercise regularly. Services like haircuts at Headlines let Parafolk change their appearance without returning to the Paramaker. Shopping is a core part of the Live Mode experience, encouraging Parafolk to explore the town and interact with its businesses.

Confirmed Stores

Although a precise list of all commercial lots has not been fully revealed, several premade lots in town are already known to come with shopping functionalities at Early Access launch. Each store occupies its own lot and offers a distinct type of product or service.

More stores with additional functionalities will be added over time. For instance, the future implementation of pets could lead to a pet store being added to the town.

L'Armoire and the Mannequin System

L'Armoire is a clothing store located in the Old Town district. The store features a mannequin-based outfit system that allows Parafolk to purchase clothing directly from the mannequins on display. When a Parafolk interacts with a mannequin, they can spend 50 paradimes to buy the outfit it is wearing and put it on immediately.

Beyond the store itself, the mannequin item is available in the Build Mode item catalog for use in any build. Players can place mannequins in their Parafolk's home and put any outfit they own on display by interacting with it. This lets fashionista Parafolk show off their clothing collections. The mannequin system ties shopping directly into the decoration and self-expression aspects of the game.

Pricing and the Build Mode Catalog

One of the key aspects of shopping in Paralives is that store prices can differ from the prices found in the Build Mode catalog. Items sold at commercial lots may be cheaper than their catalog equivalents, and in some cases they may even be free. The daily free plant at Bloom is a clear example of this. Market Antiques also offers furniture at discounted prices compared to what players would pay through the catalog.

This pricing variation encourages players to have their Parafolk explore the town and visit shops in person. While the Build Mode catalog is always available as a convenience, visiting stores can save paradimes. The system rewards players who incorporate shopping trips into their Parafolk's daily routines.

Shopping and Town Exploration

Shopping is closely tied to the open-world design of Paralives. Commercial lots are spread across the town's districts, and visiting them requires Parafolk to travel through the world. Activities that cost money include having a coffee or meal outside the home, getting a haircut, or buying furniture and clothing at a shop.

The shopping system also creates opportunities for social interaction. Parafolk may encounter other characters while visiting stores, leading to spontaneous conversations or relationship developments. The commercial lots serve as gathering points within the town, adding life and activity to the game world beyond the Parafolk's own home lot.

Future Expansion

The developers have confirmed that the shopping system will continue to grow after the Early Access launch. Additional stores, services, and functionalities will be added through updates. Some commercial lots in the town may not have all of their features ready at launch, with certain shops planned to open alongside new game systems. The pet store is one confirmed example of a future addition that depends on the implementation of a broader feature (pets). As the game evolves, players can expect more variety in what their Parafolk can buy and where they can buy it.