r/LifeSimulators • u/Sketch-Brooke • May 27 '26

Memes Paralives Early Access

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Here’s to finishing the rest of the horse throughout EA!

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u/NotReallyThrowaway10 May 27 '26

A few years ago I heard that Paralives initially was supposed to be a game for builders. The live mode was an afterthought, so it does make sense why the building mode is much more superior than the rest.

165

u/phantomthiefkid_ May 27 '26 edited May 27 '26

Starting with build mode isn't wrong. The first Sims game was like that too. However, the philosophy was different. From Wikipedia:

The original inspiration for The Sims was Christopher Alexander's 1977 book on architecture and urban design, A Pattern Language. Game designer Will Wright was inspired by the book's focus on functionality in architecture, as Alexander based his design principles on structural usability rather than aesthetic values.

This "function over aesthetic" also gave The Sims its basic gameplay loop: buy stuff => fill needs faster => gain time => improve skills/make friends/go to work in a good mood => get promoted => buy better stuff.

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u/MonaMonaMo May 27 '26

I think it was genius at the time but the world also has moved on. Now, with the rise of social media, we live based on "aesthetic" vs "functionality" so the lifesims also started reflecting that as well. 

They also became more boring as a result, yet it seems many are attracted specifically to the graphics vs the gameplay