When is the Paralives release date? This upcoming life sim has caught a reputation as the next big Sims rival, and it's easy to see why. With cute outfits, tons of items, an extensive character creator, build mode, and features we wish were in The Sims, Paralives has already picked up over one million wishlists ahead of its early access launch.
Paralives is an ambitious project, and we already know a fair bit about what's heading to this simulation game. What started as a Patreon project by lone developer Alex Massé in 2019 has developed into a full-blown life sim game. Now that the early access release is just around the corner, here's everything to expect once you get your hands on this promising new life sim.
Paralives release date
Paralives will be released into early access on Monday, December 8, 2025. It's due to launch on PC and Mac, with no plans for a console release.
"Our goal with early access is to provide a first enjoyable experience that has room to grow," Massé says in the official Patreon announcement. He clarifies that the launch build may seem light on content, but this is to "collect feedback from players" before moving onto the next phase of development.
According to Massé, Paralives will remain in early access for "about two years" until the 1.0 release, though this timeframe remains "subject to change." However, the early access version includes all the core features of a life sim, including a character creator, build mode, customization tools, and social mechanics. The extensive Paralives roadmap covers everything Massé and the team are working on right now.
Paralives will cost $39.99 following its early access launch, with a further price increase due for the full release. That might seem a little steep for early access, but bear in mind that this covers all subsequent updates and expansions. Unlike The Sims, Massé and the team has promised that Paralives will never have paid DLC. Instead, "the sales from the base game will be enough to sustain the development" of future content.
Paralives gameplay and modes
The Paralive early access release date trailer debuted at the PC Gaming Show 2025. While it may not be as realistic as InZOI, it already looks like Paralives gameplay is much smoother for those who aren't set on a realistic-looking experience. General interactions also play out far more naturally than in some other social simulation games.
Character creator
A detailed look at how the character creator works (referred to as the Paramaker) was shown off two years ago, with more outfits added since then. In the Paramaker, you can customize your Parafolk's clothing, body, and identity, which includes everything from mole placement to tattoos. You can choose skin color, hair, makeup, and facial hair, using sliders to adjust the proportions of your body.
At this stage in development, the Paramaker is almost feature complete, with the final additions being clothing items, hairstyles, babies, and pets set to arrive in the future. A gene editing tool is also in the works, letting you delve into your Para's DNA and fiddle around until it's to your exact liking. The family resemblance will be as uncanny as you want it to be.
Build mode
With any life sim game, we want to plan, design, and create our character's house from scratch, and it looks like Paralives is set to deliver. The team has already shown us building gameplay, but they also continue to release tweets and clips of furniture, from cosy loft buildings to stunning gardens.
You can purchase lots and jump into the build mode to start building walls and rooms, selecting floors, and raising the different levels of the house. However, you'll have to wait a little longer for more substantial renovations like basements. The quintessential life sim pool also won't be available in the early access launch.
Live mode
This is where Parafolk interact with objects and each other, living out their daily lives exactly how we design it. The developer has said the basic system is working, such as interactions with objects, but they are continuing to work on animation systems and then skills, needs, relationships, schools, and more.
We've seen a few basic interactions between Parafolk, with the option to hug, shake hands, kiss, or chat with them in the Paralives language, Parli. The devs also showed a clip of a Parafolk playing the piano and practicing the guitar, and how Parafolk can engage with their home by using the phone, dancing, sitting, and much more.
Autonomy system
We've had confirmation that Parafolk can make some decisions on their own, so they can go about their business by using the toilet, eating, or going to work. We've even seen instances of Parafolk doing repairs and cleaning their homes in a short animation clip.
If your character can't fulfill some needs, they will perish. As long as they have access to all they need, they can be fully autonomous, though the option to turn this off is available if you prefer to monitor your Parafolk's needs closely.
Paralives modding
Much like The Sims mods, we couldn't imagine Paralives without some modding function. Fortunately, Paralives will have in-game modding tools to add and edit content, so that you can create and share your creations with the community during early access and beyond. Since modding is the lifeblood for The Sims community, we're willing to bet that we'll some impressive Paralives fan projects before long.
Now that you're all prepped for the Paralives early access release date, pass the time with the best games like The Sims. We've also got the best life games if you're looking for some variety - it's the spice of life, you know.