Paralives launches Early Access, sells 250,000 copies

The life simulation game Paralives has successfully launched into Early Access, selling over a quarter-million copies in its first eight hours and garnering significant player attention. The launch marks a major milestone for the small, independent Paralives Studio after a seven-year development period.

The game's initial release was met with strong commercial performance and player interest, achieving a peak concurrent player count of over 78,000 on Steam and maintaining a positive review score. In a notable gesture, the official account for the long-dominant Sims franchise acknowledged the new competitor's arrival, stating that life simulation fans are well-served by the new option.

Lead developer Alex Massé and the fifteen-person team have emphasized their commitment to supporting the game exclusively with free updates, a direct contrast to the paid expansion model common in the genre. Massé stated that sales from the launch will sustain the studio for years, allowing them to avoid paid downloadable content even after the game exits Early Access. The team indicated they are prioritizing a sustainable development pace over rapid expansion.

Alongside the successful launch, the...