Exclusive Paramaker Showcase Preview
Added 2021-12-10 15:25:19 +0000 UTCHello everyone, Anna here!
Thank you for your overwhelming positive response to our new sliders feature. We spent quite some time thinking about this alternative and we’re very happy to see that you seem to enjoy it!
This week, all of us are very busy finishing the last details of our next video, which will showcase a lot of features of our improved Paramaker. It should be released to the public sometime next week, but let me take you on a small exclusive tour of our final stretch, just for you Patrons! Please don’t share this content outside of Patreon or on our Discord patrons channels, we don’t want to spoil the surprise for the public.
Fitting room (For Patrons only, please don’t share)
Here is the nice fitting room that Chloé, our 3D environment artist, made for the video. (This was the most wanted background according to this post!) Maggie is also showing off her brand new outfit made by Sonia for our upcoming video.
Note: during the game, this fitting room can be used when you create characters before creating their homes, but you will still be able to access the Paramaker at any time, directly where your Para is currently standing.
You can’t see it in this picture, but this room was (metaphorically) on fire a few days before. We ran into some last minute technical issues with the mirrors. All of a sudden, they weren’t working properly anymore!
“Through the looking glass, and what Maggie found there”
Last minute problems like this always happen when we’re wrapping up our work on a video or features, which is why we always plan a few days or weeks for (panic) debugging before our release deadlines. Don’t worry, they should all be fixed when you’ll have the game in your hands.
New Para (For Patrons only, please don’t share)
As this video will showcase the Paramaker, we had to show that we made at least one new Para since the last video, right? Well, guess who will join the team!
Sebastian and a mysterious new Para.
How we make videos (For Patrons only, please don’t share)
You may ask yourselves how we plan our videos and how it is included in our regular development planning (or you may just want to see Sebastian’s kid and won’t read this part, we don’t blame you!). It’s true that it’s a little bit different from other game development projects, as Paralives has tried to gather a community around these videos from the beginning, rather than making more advanced official trailers later down the line. As we now need to make them regularly to keep the hype going and to show you some updates, these videos became an important part of what we do, but in the end, our main goal is not to produce nice videos, it is to make a game!
To make sure we don’t make too much of a detour, we have some guidelines:
- Make the least amount of new or specific assets possible. Of course, for the video to be interesting and exciting, we need to show new things (new Paras, new clothes, new animations, new items, new music), but it’s not necessarily the priority in our development roadmap. We’re not at the step where we’ll produce a lot of content to fill those item catalogs yet, we’re still focused on making robust systems and improving our artistic direction as a whole. This is why we usually try to reuse our working items from previous videos and make sure most of them are not too video-specific and will be used in game too.
- Select a few new and/or improved features to showcase. As we’re still on a pre-alpha stage, we’re hard at work making new features and systems, but we’re also doing a lot of background things. For example, artists have to address some feedback on previously shown assets and programmers need to fix bugs or integrate working prototypes into the game. Not everything we’ve done in the game will be shown in every video, as they’re not all demonstration videos. Selecting only a few of them is usually enough to make exciting things, let us focus accordingly, and motivate us to get things done!
- Rescaling the video scope as we go. When we decide to make a video, we start by writing a short scenario for it, so that we know which features and assets we’ll need to make or improve during the following weeks or months. When unplanned things happen, the scenario we had in mind becomes either more delayed or less likely to be completely fulfilled. We usually have to rethink the scenario and cut some features or scenes off the video so that we don’t get stuck on it for too long. Some bugs or features require more quality time with us, without the constraint of fitting in a video, and that’s fine. Remember, the game comes first! That’s also part of the iterative process, or should I say, the rollercoaster that is game development.
- (Try to) know when to stop. There’s always something to polish, a bug to fix, or a last feedback to address to make things perfect, as (I believe) is the case in every work of art. Sadly, time is limited and again, we need to go forward with the regular development of the game at some point. Deciding to stop and finish the video editing is the hardest part for all of us I think, even if we’re usually very proud of what we accomplished! We know that our community members (yes, you!) are very supportive, understanding (wholesome!) and very aware that the videos show work in progress content that will evolve until the game is released and even further away.
With that said, having to make polished and interesting videos can also help the development a lot. Having a “finished” milestone version that is in a testable state every once in a while makes us a lot more confident in the project. After the video goes public, we all meet to debrief about how it went but we also discuss all the feedback that we got from the public, which is really helpful to us!
I hope you will like this last video of the year, we can’t wait to show it to you next week!!
Have a nice weekend,
Anna
( ❆ v ❆) ノ
Comments
Loving everything!! You guys are Awesome!! 💖💞💖
tey711
2021-12-15 02:09:42 +0000 UTCI loveee the sliders and the map, the whole UI is so unique and beautiful
Amanda
2021-12-14 16:24:16 +0000 UTCHot damn I’m hyped
Ewaka Flaka
2021-12-14 16:02:03 +0000 UTCwill paras who are going to be of darker complexion tan medium to dark will the lips be two toned preset like how some people's lips are in real life? Or will it just be a makeup overlay?
S&M Gonzalez
2021-12-13 01:54:31 +0000 UTCQuick question/suggestion! So after we first create our Paras in our save files, can we have the option to preview a house before we buy it for them? 🙂
Stacia Nugent
2021-12-12 23:57:58 +0000 UTCThis is kind of unrelated to this video directly, but one thing I really want is to be able to build houses and start a world without having to make Paras first. It always bothers me in the Sims how you need to make a Sim to start a new save file/world.
2021-12-12 21:54:44 +0000 UTCLooks like people can’t let go of the classic Sims CAS room. And we’ll be seeing Sebastian’s kid, obviously. Paralives team knows way too well, how to create hype every time! 😉
Stermatical
2021-12-12 18:40:11 +0000 UTCI am elated and supers thrilled at the direction this game is taking. And I feel so humbled to be able to be apart of the development it is something which is not available in the main stream world. There is such a strong sense of community here and it will show and be felt in the game when it’s finally complete ! I must say Sebastian looks soooooooooooo amazing and polished from where he began. I’m looking forward to the video next week I never forget to check every Friday without fail on the progress of this gem 😍 well done team !
Luther Duncan
2021-12-11 23:05:15 +0000 UTCMerry Christmas and Happy New Years! Wow I did not expect for children to be introduced yet... ya'll are amazing ❤ the growth of this game and the team is so beautiful to see. So excited to see the paralittles 🥺❤ I love everything about paralives so far!
Diamond Nicole
2021-12-11 15:51:11 +0000 UTCOh one last thing, is it planned in the future for users to have the option to change the dressing room? For example, changing the color pallet, furniture, etc?
Simmons
2021-12-11 14:14:56 +0000 UTCAnyways I’m excited to see Sabastians child! I wasn’t expecting to see child paras so soon! Also I love the outfits so far made for the game, very stylish.
Simmons
2021-12-11 14:03:12 +0000 UTCSebastian looks so 🔥 The art style is growing on me. Seems like the team has been polishing and tweaking the look and it’s really starting to come together. I know some are concerned that the characters look flat but I think it’s just the lighting and that still images don’t do them justice because in live mode they look better.
Simmons
2021-12-11 13:58:10 +0000 UTCThe art style is really too cute I like it more and more ❤❤❤
KittyPara
2021-12-11 10:32:27 +0000 UTCTruly love Maggie and Sebastian. I think I know who the new para is going to be...I can't wait.
Francis McDonald
2021-12-11 10:23:38 +0000 UTCI'm also conflicted. I absolutely love the build mode, external environment. But when I para is part of it, it does feel strange, and don't get me wrong, I love how much progress the team has made on the para's. But I do feel the outline on the para's and some of the textures clash a lot of the background environment. Therefore I still prefer the styling of the furniture etc..
Bianca J
2021-12-11 09:37:44 +0000 UTCSebastian looks sooooo cute!!! I love him so much already. Can't wait to see his little one. <3
Mikeela Chandler
2021-12-11 09:35:58 +0000 UTCThis is so cool! I live the dressing room. Its cute. Nicely decorated, and Sebastian is so cute. ❤
2021-12-11 02:50:14 +0000 UTCThank you for the feedback! The shading depends a lot on the lighting conditions so it can vary from scene to scene. In a different scene, the current Maggie could look similar to what she looked like in the 2020 holiday outfit video
Alex Massé
2021-12-10 22:57:55 +0000 UTCThank you!! Merry Christmas to you! (We'll get the chance to say it again in next week's post!)
Alex Massé
2021-12-10 22:55:43 +0000 UTCI love the little details like Maggie's nail polish and her and Seb's accessories! But I was curious if we can still get the beautiful shading on Maggie's face from the December 2020 holiday outfits video? That was so great, and to see this newer flat look is a bit disappointing. Though again, I super appreciate all the other updates you've put in, and I'm sure it's the product of a lot hard work.
2021-12-10 22:44:49 +0000 UTCMerry Christmas to the team! A job very well done this year, you've overcome a lot of hurdles and you're making great progress! You have a whole community of people cheering for you and we all wish you the very best in the coming new year xxx
JessIsMore
2021-12-10 22:34:19 +0000 UTCWe are still working on the design of the aging system so we'll be able to share more about that later!
Alex Massé
2021-12-10 22:27:22 +0000 UTCThank you! We aren't planning to release a demo for now but it surely is an interesting an idea that we reconsider every now and then!
Alex Massé
2021-12-10 22:25:19 +0000 UTCI'm guessing it's the angle of the mirror because part of Maggie's arm is visible in it
Ifechi Onubogu
2021-12-10 21:24:16 +0000 UTCis gradual aging still a concept for doing? because it would seem easier to make the different life stages look similar to each other.
sagebye
2021-12-10 21:23:11 +0000 UTCi think it's really toned down actually lol
sagebye
2021-12-10 21:21:53 +0000 UTCi would love for a paralives demo to be released where u can make a parafolk before the game comes out! like the other game did. i'm so excited for next week and i can't wait to see all the new content! hopefully you'll soon enter the alpha stage or pre-alpha 4 :) i'm so proud of you and the team !!! <3
sagebye
2021-12-10 21:21:25 +0000 UTCThank you so much <3 <3 It's true that we have been working on core features so we haven't been able to showcase as many small videos as last year but there will have been 2 big ones at least in 2021!
Alex Massé
2021-12-10 21:08:41 +0000 UTCMaybe :P
Alex Massé
2021-12-10 21:07:03 +0000 UTCThe whole point of having a mirror in the paramaker was to be able to see the para from behind. I know this was pointed out several times in the comments of that post. And yet it seems that the para is not visible in the mirror. Why is that?
NoNayNever
2021-12-10 21:05:06 +0000 UTCOooooh, can't wait :D
Ifechi Onubogu
2021-12-10 20:27:34 +0000 UTCOmg KIDS!?
It'sMike64
2021-12-10 19:56:57 +0000 UTCWell I'm super excited to see Seb's child! Did not expect to see children so quickly. That's a really nice surprise! And can I just mention the detail on Sebs jacket is just *chefs kiss* and the clothes in general. Sonia/Lea has great fashion sense! I'd say the current method of video production is working. We haven't got as many videos this year but it's pretty clear it's because you guys have been eyeball deep in a lot of foundational work. The build video in June and upcoming paramaker video are proof of the amount of work that's gotten done this year. The hype will naturally die down and build up as you guys go through different phases of development but the work must continue!!
ramaru
2021-12-10 19:23:43 +0000 UTComg wait i'm so excited!!!!!
2021-12-10 19:04:01 +0000 UTCI laughed right as I read this. As a programmer in the field myself, my co-workers and I joke about this from time to time when we find a bug in one of our applications, that's not hindering users, but is just not the intended behavior of the application. So we nicely call it a "feature", until we correct it.
Makayla Boyko
2021-12-10 18:46:28 +0000 UTCSo is it safe to say that this "mysterious" para you've been working on is part of your ✨ Secrets? 😂 I can't wait to see it all!
Kymberlee86
2021-12-10 18:43:13 +0000 UTCI’m so excited, just a small suggestion the paras don’t really blend into backgrounds well you should add the lining you did for the original Maggie and Sebastian reveal but like make it optional (turn on or off)
Dior K
2021-12-10 18:38:32 +0000 UTCI agree! However, they did say in this post that they are more focused on making sure everything works right then filling out the clothing catalog. But I look forward to when they do show us more clothing styles they’ll have for base game.
Rylee Herold
2021-12-10 18:01:57 +0000 UTCAll I can say is WOW. I love it. I love Maggie's new outfit, Sebastian looks amazing. I can't wait to meet his son. Keep up the good work you guys/girls. I am proud to be able to see this amazing game in development by an amazing talented team of members. 👍 Yes.
kesionna
2021-12-10 17:52:05 +0000 UTCAHHHHHHHH IM SOOO EXCITED
Calista
2021-12-10 17:45:46 +0000 UTCAhhhhhhhhbn Sebby looks so good. We're gonna see kid paras soon!!!! I havent been this hyped for a Paralives update in well over a year.
Angela
2021-12-10 17:16:22 +0000 UTCI'm so excited for the new video, but I do think that the style of para and environment are a bit of a conflicting style. One or the other needs to be picked and I think both would look good, but not together. Also if you make the outline on the character and clothes more opaque, they would look less like paper cutouts on the environment
Mary Breyer
2021-12-10 17:12:09 +0000 UTCThe name of the child isn't confirmed yet but stay tuned!
Alex Massé
2021-12-10 17:07:06 +0000 UTCI'm agree with you, i prefer a 3D universe with paras more in 3D with more details, shades, depth... Also, I very happy this game Paralives Team ! Thanks !
Han
2021-12-10 17:06:58 +0000 UTCHi hi. Just something to consider: because the fitting room is quite colourful it could subtract from the styling of the paras. (Such as clashing colours.) A more neutral pallet for the room could overcome this. All in all it looks really cool and am very excited ❤️ hope you have a great day ✨
Alice Taylor
2021-12-10 16:59:31 +0000 UTCYes, I totally agree with you. Everyone was very quick to love the new style, but I personally found it a bit concerning with how much the environment has looked very bubble 3D like. 🤷🏾♀️
Deborah Mutombo
2021-12-10 16:28:03 +0000 UTCI wanted to say that I wish the paras weren't in 2D. I know a lot of people said they liked the style and it took a while for it to grow on me, but now that I see Maggie in the dressing room, she seems out of place and doesnt fit her environment that well. The contrast is too startling. Maybe my one opinion doesn't matter, but I think if the 2D para look is gonna be kept, then the whole environment should become 2D with shell shading. Either that or the paras should go back to the stylistic bubble 3D look like they did at their reveal... obviously with more details. Nonetheless I'm really loving the progress of everything and I love for you guys to take your time on this game. Much love! 💓💓
Deborah Mutombo
2021-12-10 16:25:47 +0000 UTCShout out to Chloé because the room is amazing and it seems to match the paras artstyle better than ever! Wishing you guys the best possible reaction to the video. Can't wait!
John PT
2021-12-10 16:12:49 +0000 UTCAlways remember that some bugs are future features - so don't sweat trying to reach perfection.
Vera Ohlsen
2021-12-10 16:10:53 +0000 UTCI am so excited to see Sebastian and his child ❤️🙏🏻
Tini
2021-12-10 16:04:44 +0000 UTCI get so excited when Friday is near omg I love thissssssssssssssss
Deborah Aittokallio
2021-12-10 16:03:47 +0000 UTCSome words of wisdom from my boss "Don't let the pursuit of perfection keep you from producing anything at all". Great work guys.
Kaitlyn Metro
2021-12-10 15:54:53 +0000 UTCThe new costumes look amazing!! Loving them!! 😍😍😍 Also, SO excited for the upcoming video and Sebastian's child introduction!! 🤩🤩🤩
Stefanía Torrealba D
2021-12-10 15:52:30 +0000 UTCDoes Sebastion's kid have an official name yet? I can't remember all I know is that it is confirmed he has a child
Alexi
2021-12-10 15:51:15 +0000 UTCI’m so stoked for next week!! We’re getting FED!
Mo Des
2021-12-10 15:48:59 +0000 UTCI'm dying to see the child Para, I didn't expect to see different life stages for ages.
Alex Agustin
2021-12-10 15:46:56 +0000 UTCIt is looking very promising. But something that concerns me that I have been noticing, is that the para's are just shown with tight fitting clothes...It would be nice to see some loose clothes as well if that is still planned
Bianca J
2021-12-10 15:45:07 +0000 UTCSebastian looks AMAZING!!! I love the photo of the malfunctioning mirror! It's like getting to see a Bloopers reel for a film! You guys are always so open with sharing the things that go wrong alongside the things that go perfectly! I simply cannot wait to see the new child! I know he or she will be just as awesome as Maggie and Sebastian! Congrats, guys!
Jennifer Huber
2021-12-10 15:45:01 +0000 UTCI'm very excited to see the upcoming video! I like how Parafolks look, but I have to say that their shaders feel a little bit flat for now. I think a little bit more depth, ambient occlusion, and shadows around them would improve the composition of their design and the environment.
SimMattically
2021-12-10 15:44:54 +0000 UTCBest Christmas Gift Ever !! Thank you Paralives Team!! Can’t wait for next week’s video and other stuffs to come 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Jason S
2021-12-10 15:42:46 +0000 UTCWow Sebastian looks great!!!!! Can’t wait to meet the mystery child! So exciting
Jordan Dietrich
2021-12-10 15:36:30 +0000 UTCA BEBE
Rachel Hayes
2021-12-10 15:34:50 +0000 UTCSebastian finally going from Daddy to Father!
Phoenix
2021-12-10 15:33:28 +0000 UTCThis is out of the world
Sláine Sheils
2021-12-10 15:32:27 +0000 UTCi hope it's a boy. 😆
Stewby
2021-12-10 15:32:24 +0000 UTCThis game keeps looking better and better all the time!
Melissa Toothman
2021-12-10 15:31:55 +0000 UTCI don't know what I'm most excited about, but I think it's the hint at children!!! Can't wait to see "Jamie" (the fan name of Seb's child from Entirago's fan fiction). I hope it's a girl!!! 🤞 But other than that, Seb is soooo handsome and Maggie so cute, I love them so much both of them!! 😍😍
Zahlea
2021-12-10 15:30:52 +0000 UTCThanks for your hard work 🥰
Thamara
2021-12-10 15:30:08 +0000 UTCAww this is looking better and better with every update/post! I am so excited, you guys are doing amazing! Thankyou! ✨❤️
Becky
2021-12-10 15:30:08 +0000 UTCAhhh yes Sebastian’s kid!!!
Breoni Hester
2021-12-10 15:29:05 +0000 UTCThis is so exciting, Good luck!!
Daniel Asraf
2021-12-10 15:28:26 +0000 UTCSEBASTIAN’S SON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brandon A-L
2021-12-10 15:27:40 +0000 UTC
