😮 Paralives’ Build Mode is Almost Done and Live Mode is Next + Creating our Color Swatches
Added 2024-09-13 13:58:51 +0000 UTCHi! Alex here to share a few updates! As usual, this post is for Patrons only so please don’t share it, thank you 🔐
Last Touches to the Build Mode. On to Live Mode!
For the past 6 months, we’ve been heavily focused on the build mode to make sure it’s ready for the Early Access release next year.
What we did:
⭐ Missing features: We added important missing features like the fence tools, a grid for wall placement, roof tools, better terrain tools, a reworked build mode catalog, ambient sound systems, and more
🎵 Playtests: We organized 4 playtests with friends and went to Montreal Comiccon so that we can observe players build houses and take notes on what still needs work.
🏠Quality of life improvements: Following the playtest, we made many usability improvements to make sure new players and expert players can enjoy a smooth experience while using the build mode interface and features
🐛 Bug fixes: The build mode is a really complex and technically challenging piece of software to develop. We found around 300 bugs and fixed as many!
Friends came to our office again last week to try out the build mode and share feedback.
We did internal playtests too! Here’s a comfy house made by Richard.

Someone recreated their own apartment here!

Alice (top) and Léa (bottom) both challenged themselves to build a cottagecore home!
A cute living room by Chloé.
To make sure that we have enough time to finish the live mode, there are some build mode features that will only be added after the initial releases. This includes pools, basements and more advanced stairs and roof tools.
On to the Live Mode:
📆 October 1st: The date at which all programmers on the team will switch to working on the live mode for many months, until it is ready for release.
🎯 The goal: Focus exclusively on the live mode to finish all the live mode features and content needed for the Early Access
🎮 Features: We will be polishing the gameplay elements around needs, skills, jobs, social interactions as well as adding a lot of content for them. The pathfinding and autonomy systems will also be improved.
📝 Playtests: As we did for the build mode, friends will help monthly with feedback to make sure that our live move provides a fun and engaging gameplay experience!
Color Swatches
Alejandro recently worked on improving the systems around creating color swatches for the build mode and the Paramaker. It is now a lot easier for us developers (and for future players) to create new swatches.
Chloé took this opportunity and this week, she is focusing on creating ALL the swatches for the build mode! Up until now, most items only had one or two premade color swatches. Now, players will have a good selection of colors for every item in the game.
To create the swatches, we’re hand picking the colors that work well for a given item, based on its nature and style. Of course, players will always be able to create their own swatches for their own specific needs!
Have a great weekend everyone! 🛶
Alex
The Paralives team went aquatic last week for a team building activity!
Comments
I am so ridiculously excited!!!!!
Madison Deitch
2024-11-14 16:54:38 +0000 UTCthe babies are so cute awww
mollie
2024-11-14 14:07:41 +0000 UTCIt's looking gorgeous 😍
Freya
2024-11-08 15:04:01 +0000 UTCAmei tudo! Queria ser um desses amigos que vão todos os meses para ajudar nos testes 😍❤️
Estefani Oliveira
2024-10-12 17:08:57 +0000 UTCGreat to see you all having a great time away from stressful development! BRAVO Team Para!
TnT_Terry
2024-10-04 05:03:28 +0000 UTCI believe paralives will have something similar through the steam workshop.
Ashley Brent
2024-10-01 18:18:48 +0000 UTCThis game just looks sooo beautiful!
Kayleigh
2024-09-27 15:26:11 +0000 UTCRight like following the development since the beginnings and see all the amazing things they did is wow
Evlin Boo
2024-09-27 08:04:17 +0000 UTCI am soo happy I joined to see the progress of the game I can’t Waittt 🤧🥹🩵 I love to have something to look forward to towards the ending of this year
LBoogie
2024-09-27 01:47:43 +0000 UTCI am so happy to see all the progress and congrats to all of you that you made it into the next phase ❤️ It was probably mentioned before and I am sorry to ask it it's so: will it be possible to "copy" a colour from a certain furniture and change another one to this colour? Can we pin or save this certain colour in our pallet? Thank you so much in advance. I am deeply in love with what I see and your passion for the game ❤️
Liesel Strick
2024-09-19 08:48:02 +0000 UTCNah, fellas. Take your time. This is meant to be the de facto Sims 5. Take as long as y'all need.
Ferb Sánchez
2024-09-19 00:15:13 +0000 UTCSo exciting to be moving on to the Live Mode! Congrats Alex and Team! I love the build mode that’s been shown so far and am patiently (impatiently) waiting for the EA. I had a few things that came to mind. Are you thinking about having a creation catalog where people from the community could upload/download content? Something similar to the Sims 4 with the gallery? When will the in game rewards from being a Patreon start being implemented? Is that planned for the official release?
Nikoleta Herrera
2024-09-17 16:36:16 +0000 UTCThis is super exciting!! I also love to see yalls company pictures having fun, like idk it just feels good knowing that you guys are liking working together and on the project ^^
nemo
2024-09-16 23:36:05 +0000 UTCDo you already have an idea which specs will be needed to properly run this game?
Caro
2024-09-16 08:53:00 +0000 UTCAmazing stuff guys as always I absolutely love what I’m seeing in ‘build mode’. Say you have a tv playing upstairs in a different part of the house, one thing in the sims 3 that bugged me was you would be able to hear it playing from every room in the house, loudly unlike real life where it would fade depending on how far one was from it. Hopefully this is considered in Paralives. Keep up the great work !
JazzyJay
2024-09-16 08:08:28 +0000 UTCLook at the progress you've made! Guys you are AMAZING 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 I can not wait to play this game!!! 👍😘
Nathalie Carluccio
2024-09-15 22:42:33 +0000 UTCThe cottage core houses are so cute and cozy looking!
Sarah Hoisington Cook
2024-09-15 22:18:38 +0000 UTCThe houses look so cute and realistic ❤️🥰!
Thabiso Ptk💚
2024-09-15 13:02:18 +0000 UTCSame. I actually bought a gaming PC to play other games, but I’m glad I did with new life sims coming out. Plus, I can upgrade it if needed.
BooDotBoo .
2024-09-14 22:38:17 +0000 UTCI’m glad to see things coming along even more, and that you guys had a great team-building exercise. Looks like it was fun!
BooDotBoo .
2024-09-14 22:36:39 +0000 UTCLove, love love
Melanie Engelbrecht
2024-09-14 20:13:29 +0000 UTCThe swatches looks great 🤩 I feel like a congratulations is in order for your guys next big shift 🎉 the build mode look fantastic !!! I suck at building anything but I'm still super excited for building and furnishing in Paralives, very much looking forward to what is coming next. Also would this next shift include building up the town for the game ? I'm really curios on what kind of world and neighbors our paras will be with 👀 (though asking that I realize you probably still have to work on basic gameplay elements first to know what kind of story you can make for Parafolk) but again congratulations on the progress and as always looking forward to the next update posts 😊
Nahma
2024-09-14 18:53:45 +0000 UTCI love the swatches feature and being able to create our own! Can't wait to see the live mode progress in the upcoming months.
phoenix grey
2024-09-14 17:36:18 +0000 UTCEverything is coming together nicely, I'm so excited for the final product! Here's hoping we also get purple swatches for home items, it tends to be a very slept-on decor color! 🤞🏾💜
Mo Des
2024-09-14 15:57:19 +0000 UTCi am in love w the selection of fidget toys shown off in Chloè's build 🥰 as an AuDHD neurospicy kiddo this is very very exciting to me ;3 (everything else is amazing as well, as always~)
Sehrys
2024-09-14 07:33:07 +0000 UTCI’ve been watching your development since 2019 and I’m so proud of your progress!! I could cry!!
Yvette Lopez
2024-09-14 06:43:55 +0000 UTCBeing someone who is into all the aspects of a life sim, like character creator or whole family creator to building a home, decorating it and then playing with them, I am really hoping this will be the new life sim for me! So far everything looks great, but unlike some people I don't go by looks, I am referring to people who are crazy for the NEW big fancy so called life sim, who I won't mention here, I'm not impressed by it at all, it doesn't have the warmth of Paralives, the cozyness, and thoughtfulness of Paralives. I've been watching this game since I first heard of it in 2019, and I am still waiting for this game, for Paralives, and I will be here waiting until it's ready to come out so I can play it, I'm not going anywhere, at least not on purpose! I am really looking forward to a game where I can enjoy all aspects of the game, not just creating characters or building, but also live mode, what makes it a real life sim game!
Clara M Johnson
2024-09-14 06:23:48 +0000 UTCThey slated Early Access in 2025 next year. That may be at least a whole year from now. We will have to see for sure.
sjbros814
2024-09-14 00:04:37 +0000 UTCHopefully early access comes in October/November T_T
Gia L
2024-09-13 23:51:10 +0000 UTCOmg, the decor from the inside out is always so lovely. And all those color swatches!!😍 You guys continue to work so hard & these updates reflect the beautiful fruits of your labor! I hope you know it's deeply appreciated & I can't wait to see what's in store because I know even with these weekly updates, you can't tell us EVERYthing 😏😉 & I love the group pic! 💕
ZLoves
2024-09-13 23:40:21 +0000 UTCI want to build in this game so badly
Melon
2024-09-13 22:32:23 +0000 UTCTrès contente de supporter un si beau projet!! Très bon travail tout le monde!! :D
Reim
2024-09-13 21:14:46 +0000 UTCOmg I love yall, yall are so cute. I love how open the team is, yall have included us in every step and it just makes the team feel like family to me. I would send brownies and cake if I could, cause it’s yall deserve something sweet🎉🫶🏽
Jaydon Cox
2024-09-13 20:56:32 +0000 UTCI love the computer ❤️that's it, that's the whole comment 🥰
Thabiso Ptk💚
2024-09-13 20:31:24 +0000 UTCFantastic news! The excitement for Paralives has been bubbling around inside me for the past few years, but this news has made it grow (does that even make sense!). This game is going to be amazing. Thank you Alex and team for all your hard work 😍
Gill Reid
2024-09-13 18:32:21 +0000 UTCThe number of color swatches though! Yessss. 😁
Synthia Hubbard
2024-09-13 17:48:08 +0000 UTCI'm so excited for the live mode! I've never been much of a builder although your build mode does look great and I'm sure I will enjoy it. But as a live mode player I cannot wait what you have in store!!
Noeba
2024-09-13 17:47:03 +0000 UTCYay! I am excited for the next news on live mode!!
Kateřina Králová
2024-09-13 17:33:35 +0000 UTCI got a whole gaming PC rather than a power console to ditch my old notebook last year in large part in anticipation of this game being PC/Mac exclusive at launch. I am SO ready!
Maxx
2024-09-13 17:21:53 +0000 UTCSo proud of you guys! What a journey it has been to follow the games insane development for the past few years!! And now we’re at a stage where one of the game modes is almost complete for EA. Crazy!
Maxx
2024-09-13 17:19:46 +0000 UTCI appreciate having the neutral vs rainbow colors in separate groups in the color picker. That’ll help color selection feel less overwhelming.
Anabel Blunk
2024-09-13 17:03:20 +0000 UTCFantastic and so exciting that the build mode will be finished soon.....
Christina Ozeki
2024-09-13 16:49:12 +0000 UTCYes if you can it makes it so much easier!
mintyKHat
2024-09-13 16:42:47 +0000 UTCLooking good! Keep going 💪
mintyKHat
2024-09-13 16:40:41 +0000 UTCSo excited for the live updates especially around careers. I love seeing the main para get a job offer to be a music teacher bc of her music skill and her being a teacher I hope u keep that feature in and expand upon it!
Bess Barnes
2024-09-13 16:37:15 +0000 UTCI'm so excited to see the progress you guys are making, I can't wait to see this game come out in early access <3
fruitandbubbles
2024-09-13 16:34:17 +0000 UTCJe suis obsédé par le léopard alors j'espère mettre du léopard sur tous les objets de ma maison ahah ^^
KittyPara
2024-09-13 16:03:31 +0000 UTCC'est tellement un rêve ce jeu ! Merci Alex
KittyPara
2024-09-13 16:00:16 +0000 UTCThis sounds amazing💚
pekeniax
2024-09-13 15:45:55 +0000 UTCWe are interest in adding an in-game tool to report bugs but can't 100% confirm we'll have it yet :)
Alex Massé
2024-09-13 15:42:15 +0000 UTCGood catch on that bug! Thanks, I'll fix that!!
Alex Massé
2024-09-13 15:41:45 +0000 UTCYou guys are so amazing honestly!! It's been an honor seeing the progress since I heard of it in 2019, and I heavily appreciate your great communication and dedication to weekly updates. I'm looking forward to seeing Live Mode updates!
pinn770
2024-09-13 15:29:42 +0000 UTCTalking about bugs: there will be some tool so we can report bugs during early access? Or we will do it by email or Discord? I'm old, I never understood Discord properly :D
Panthro Samah
2024-09-13 15:23:41 +0000 UTCI catch a bug on the post: "Playtests: As we did for the build mode, friends will help monthly with feedback to make sure that our live move provides a fun and engaging gameplay experience!" It says live move, but It is live mode.
Panthro Samah
2024-09-13 15:22:06 +0000 UTCHow exciting! I can’t wait for all the updates leading up to when the game is available to play
Allie Glass
2024-09-13 15:17:35 +0000 UTCI'm so excited to see the progress in live mode. What feature would you say you're the most excited to get fleshed out?
Toto
2024-09-13 15:12:03 +0000 UTComg this is so crazyyyyy, i love the lighting in the comfy house picture!! i cant wait to see the progress on live mode!!
boredewil
2024-09-13 15:09:15 +0000 UTCWe did a few already but we will do more in the future! We might ask people to create a character first when they will be playtesting the live mode
Alex Massé
2024-09-13 15:05:13 +0000 UTCAre you going to do a playtest for the paramaker?
Lucie Baha
2024-09-13 15:01:41 +0000 UTCThe Build Mode looks really good! Thank you for the update! 👍🏻 Best of luck with the Live Mode! ✊🏻 Looking forward to seeing it come to life (no pun intended 😁). Love the photo of the amazing team! 😄
AlexArt
2024-09-13 14:55:11 +0000 UTCLooking great!
Klacksy
2024-09-13 14:51:31 +0000 UTCThe build mode feels very fleshed out right now and I'm so exited that you are going to concentrate on live mode! I feel like you'll come up with a lot of immersive and creative features :з
Ellis
2024-09-13 14:49:35 +0000 UTCLove it! Great work everyone!
Ana Isabel Ribeiro
2024-09-13 14:48:49 +0000 UTCI'm so excited that early release is coming soon. I'm actually going to buy a laptop just to play this game. Y'all have made me excited again to play a simulation game. It reminds me of the first Sims and how I spent hours just building a house and family.
Tiffany Perry
2024-09-13 14:46:13 +0000 UTCWhat else can I say except that I can't wait to see the rest of your creative process and, needless to say, to play! You are amazing, I'm glad to be a supporter. Take care along the journey! <3
Candle
2024-09-13 14:35:56 +0000 UTCUntil this post, I hadn't realized how close to 2025 we are getting ! Of course that doesn't mean we'll play Paralives on January 1st, but it's certainly an exciting milestone :) I really love Léa's ivy cottage, and more broadly I'm so happy to see how wide the range of styles is. I am personally someone who likes more modern stuff, but that so many things are already possible within the game in its current state is really fantastic. A big part of that is the amount of clutter and decoration made possible by the catalog (I don't think I had noticed that little trolley shelf before, but it's gonna have so many uses !). The swatches are also pretty cool. Of course we can customize ourselves, and it's a big part of the appeal of Paralives to be able to pick our own colors (and oftentimes textures), but a choice of colors really helps picturing things sometimes. Not to mention, not everyone has 6hrs to sink into the perfecting of a kitchen XD I can't wait to read more posts about gameplay, and how the mechanics might get deeper and/or intersect. Thrilling times !
ladyteruki
2024-09-13 14:31:54 +0000 UTCso excited to get those live updates! great work on build mode, the style and selection of items are wonderful
Kasia
2024-09-13 14:31:18 +0000 UTCIt is so exciting to see how far this project has gone! I can't wait to try to build something!
Camilla Fontana
2024-09-13 14:29:18 +0000 UTCahhh so excited!! all of your hard work will pay off!!!! thanks for the updates 🩷
borismonster6
2024-09-13 14:29:05 +0000 UTCLove, love ,Love!!! Waiting with antici....pation!!!!
Maxayn Henderson
2024-09-13 14:28:57 +0000 UTCI'm very happy with the progress and that Build Mode is almost ready (at least for Early Access). I can't wait to see what's new in Live mode and find out what's possible. Thanks that all furniture and objects can have the same colors! You do incredible work, each and every one of you. Thank you ❤️ The rooms/houses are all really nice and suit my taste exactly. I can't wait to try everything out for myself soon. Take the time you need and please don't stress yourself out! I'd rather wait a moment longer than get a half-finished game or half-finished animations ❣️
Josephin01
2024-09-13 14:25:50 +0000 UTCExciting times!
Aaron
2024-09-13 14:24:02 +0000 UTCAs usual I'm in love! The love and care y'all are putting into this game really shows and I know I'm going to love it too just based on that alone. Also I love seeing the team out and having fun together! Seems like such a lovely group of coworkers and friends! 😊 Keep up the amazing work and know it's very appreciated!
Katie Bellissimo
2024-09-13 14:23:00 +0000 UTCCan't wait for the future Live Mode updates, game's turning out to be better and better with each new update y'all put out and I'm very excited for the eventual Early Access release next year :)
Rivers
2024-09-13 14:22:33 +0000 UTCAfter 2 1/2 years of supporting it makes me so happy to see the progress you've achieved over time! Looking forward to all the features and cute little details in the live mode <3
Elias-Crayario
2024-09-13 14:20:34 +0000 UTCC'est incroyable de voir le travail que vous avez accompli jusqu'à maintenant. Contente de pouvoir vous supporter! Lâchez pas la patate <3
Rachelle Met
2024-09-13 14:20:32 +0000 UTCThank you for another great update!! Love love love what I have seen from builds and decorating already. It gives me all the cosy vibes and it screams personality and love to me. I feel like we can really make each house feel like a home and personal for our paras! I look forward to building when early access comes. And I'm so excited to hear the focus is now on live mode!! I look forward to seeing more on that in the coming updates!!
Trisha
2024-09-13 14:16:28 +0000 UTCSo exciting! As always, everything looks great so far. Can't wait for the live mode updates in the near future
Jordan Harrison
2024-09-13 14:15:32 +0000 UTCSeeing y’all’s progress is always the best part of the day! So excited for early access so I can put my real life on hold to build a cottage
Zak the Sloth
2024-09-13 14:15:31 +0000 UTCUgh I cant wait to make myself and my family and my little house
Court12413
2024-09-13 14:14:52 +0000 UTCI am never short of astounded by the sheer variety of buildings and styles and looks we'll be able to make with Paralives! Yay! Can't wait to see more of what you guys do with live mode!
Fran Smith
2024-09-13 14:14:23 +0000 UTChaha!
Alex Massé
2024-09-13 14:14:10 +0000 UTCAaaa how exciting! All the clutter in this post makes me so happy, and the cottages are just gorgeous and so magical. And October 1st, how exciting! Good job team, and playtesters!
Cece
2024-09-13 14:13:12 +0000 UTCAmazing! Always nice with a good premade swatch selection, even if we have a tool to make our own. Saves a lot of time🤓
LightDeficient
2024-09-13 14:13:02 +0000 UTCExcitement lvl 9000 !!!
Stephanie Marion
2024-09-13 14:12:51 +0000 UTCAHhhhh can’t wait to see what’s in store for live mode!!!
Morgan V
2024-09-13 14:12:35 +0000 UTCY'all have been doing an amazing job so far! The build mode looks absolutely fantastic, the variety that it possible to make is so great and just generally it's beautiful! Wishing you guys good look for the live mode from now on! I'm so looking forward to seeing all the new posts and I can't wait to play the game
lias
2024-09-13 14:12:15 +0000 UTCDefinitely live mode 😌
Marita Svendsen
2024-09-13 14:11:48 +0000 UTCThis is so exciting! 🤩 Love the color swatch menu!
Marita Svendsen
2024-09-13 14:11:34 +0000 UTCVery exciting news. Can't wait for more updates. Best of luck wrapping up build mode things these next two weeks!
Zedef
2024-09-13 14:10:42 +0000 UTCMy god I’m so excited guys!! You’ve done so well with build mode ☺️ 👏🏻♥️
Becky
2024-09-13 14:10:12 +0000 UTCThis looks phenomenal. I'm so stoked for a release! Happy for you to switch to live mode! It means the goal to finish/release this game is coming closer - fast 😻❤️🔥
playeronthebeat
2024-09-13 14:09:41 +0000 UTCGreat work! This is really exciting! Looking forward to early access 😀
DoubleC
2024-09-13 14:08:15 +0000 UTCIs it pronounced live mode or live mode? 🤭
Miasia Jones
2024-09-13 14:07:05 +0000 UTCWicked!!!!!
Star Zoë
2024-09-13 14:07:00 +0000 UTCI can’t wait to see the live mode!
Julio Saliba
2024-09-13 14:05:50 +0000 UTC