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Title: The Sims-like Paralives hits Early Access in December

Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2025 22:00:14 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-sims-like...

If you aren't thrilled with what EA has done with The Sims, another
alternative is coming soon. The indie passion project Paralives launches in
Steam Early Access on December 8.

Paralives has all the hallmarks of the life simulation genre. You can build
your character, including physical and personality traits. It lets you make
friends, move up in your career, fall in love and start a family (or not!).
Design is central, too. You can craft your dream home, move walls and resize
that stubby love seat into a full-on couch.

The game uses "innovative build tools that are easy to use but powerful for
advanced builders." When designing your living space, you aren't limited to a
grid. You can build on curves and customize any object's colors and textures.
There's even an in-game measuring tape for those who want to get ultra-
precise.

Paralives Studio

The game is the lovechild of Canadian developer Alex Massé, who began the
project in 2019. Paralives Studio has now grown to a team of 13 with the sole
focus of building "an innovative and fresh life simulation game." It's raised
funds exclusively through Patreon. The team's development process is out in
the open. You can browse its history and roadmap online, showing the full
array of planned features.

Crucially, the young studio says Paralives will never have paid DLC ΓÇö only
free expansions. That's one way to take a shot at The Sims without even
mentioning its name. And unlike the glitzy AI-fest inZoi, Paralives
emphasizes depth and flexibility over presentation. Its simple and charming
art style is a foundation for feeling and connection.

You can see for yourself in the release date trailer below. Grab Paralives on
Steam Early Access (PC and Mac) on December 8.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-sims-like...
december-220014257.html?src=rss

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