Indie life simulation game Paralives has postponed its early access launch from December 8, 2025, to May 25, 2026, following playtests that revealed bugs and insufficient content. Developer Alex Massé cited the need to polish the simulation mode to meet quality standards. The delay aims to ensure a strong first experience for players.
Delay Announcement
Paralives, a highly anticipated indie alternative to The Sims, was originally set for early access on December 8, 2025. However, on November 14, 2025, developer Alex Massé announced a shift to May 25, 2026, after expanded playtests with a diverse player base highlighted issues. "Unfortunately, we had to make the difficult decision to delay the release," Massé stated in a detailed message on the game's Steam page. "After thoughtful consideration, we feel it's best for the game and the community."
Reasons for the Delay
The primary concerns stemmed from feedback on the game's Live Mode, which includes impactful bugs and a lack of activities in the town that reduced player enjoyment. Massé noted that while the Paramaker character creator and Build Mode received positive responses for their flexibility and customization, the simulation elements needed more refinement. "We are so proud of what we have built, but now, we just need a bit more time to polish the simulation part of the game," Massé explained. An updated roadmap on the official website outlines planned fixes, new activities, and improvements to the first-time user experience ahead of launch.
Game Overview and Future Plans
Developed solo by Massé over six years, Paralives offers an open-world life sim where players build homes, create characters, and engage in activities like gardening, fishing, working, and raising families. It combines an advanced build mode, customizable character creator, and complex life simulation into a fresh indie take on the genre. The team plans free updates and expansions post-launch, with no paid DLC, as a small outfit without shareholders. A 45-minute stream showcasing the current build is scheduled for November 25, 2025.
In the broader context, Paralives enters a competitive space with Krafton's inZOI now available and Paradox's Life by You canceled, while EA develops its next Sims project.