Life by You: Everything We Know

A good life simulation game gives you absolute control over your digital avatar, with no overwhelming quests or missions that dictate your every move. The Sims does a tremendous job of replicating this, hence why it's one of the best-selling video games of all time. 

Two things are possible when a video game dips its feet into the life simulation genre. One, it can either lead to great success since, of course, we all deserve a break from this reality. Or a substantial flop by failing to capture the intricate moments that define virtual life.

When Paradox announced its upcoming title, “Life By You,” I instantly thought of The Sims and how it would differ. The game's teaser trailer was announced during the Paradox Announcement Show 2023. One thing is pretty clear; you'll be taking on a new life in the virtual world. Moreover, former Sims developer Rod Humble is taking a leading role in this one. This means we could see familiar elements in the upcoming title. We've dug deep to learn more about Paradox Tectonic's upcoming title for an exclusive sneak peek of its content. Without much further ado, here is everything we know about Life by You.

What is Life By You?

This upcoming title by Paradox Interactive, Life by You, lets players live out their lives in a digital existence. The game falls under the life simulation subgenre, which is not a first for the developer. Paradox Interactive is known best for historically-themed video games that are heavy on strategy. However, the developer has experience producing simulation games such as Cities: Skyline and Crusader Kings. 

As a real-life simulation game, players can traverse the open digital landscape. In layperson's terms, you get a new perspective on life in a digitally curated world. Unlike reality, life simulation games have a reset button where you start over again and have the freedom to be anything you want. Such games let you experiment with various aspects of life with no dire consequences. The game follows this trajectory with the promise of complex and deep gameplay, possibly rivaling the top contender in life simulation, The Sims. 

Story

Life by You is a non-linear simulation that gives the player full control of the game. Developers describe the games as having an open world with no loading screens. A description on the game's website reads as follows:

“Open up a new world of creative possibilities in Life by You. Be in total control of the humans that you create, the towns that you build, and the stories that you tell. And oh yes – mods! We know life is always better with a heavy sprinkle of your imagination, so we're empowering you with a wide variety of Creator Tools so you can design your lives the way you see fit—or break the rules of life itself. Designed to be one of the most moddable and open life-simulation games, we look forward to the humans, stories, and creations that you'll make with …”

Moreover, if the new title is anything like its competitor, the game may not have hard-nosed and overarching objectives, especially with its former lead on board. The most you will do in the game is make friends, take on menial jobs, and build your dream home- a reality away from reality. 

Gameplay

The game is set to be an open world with multiple options for customization. Paradox Tectonics gives ultimate control to players using the Creator Tools. This means you can modify the game however you, please. From character creator, town creator, event creator, item creator, career creator, quest creator, and script creator, life is yours to create in the simulation game. This opens up endless possibilities for players. 

Moreover, traversing the open world is easy. You only need to pick up and drop off your character at the desired destination. Alternatively, if you want a better view of the open world, you may drive your character using a third-person perspective. 

Development

As mentioned, Rod Humble, former EA studio head of The Sims, is leading the development of Life by You. With Rod having demonstrable experience in bringing to life similar games, we anticipate that the game will hit the ground running. Having previously worked on The Sims 3 and The Sims 2, he brings to the table his expertise in the life simulator subgenre, which grants Paradox the right amount of confidence to venture into the virtual life space, 

Of course, with our vast knowledge of the mishaps in The Sims and other similar games, this new game could feature improved gameplay with possibly more interaction with elements in the game.

Moreover, granted that the upcoming title's name is “Life by You,” this could hint at the player getting complete freedom in the game; you make the choices and dictate how events in your virtual life play out. 

Trailer

Paradox Interactive initially launched a teaser trailer that gave scant details on the game. The developers released a second trailer after the game's formal announcement event on March 20. The second trailer adds more flesh to the game's skeleton by detailing the gameplay and showcasing the open world. 

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Life by You will be available on PC, through Epic or Steam, as early access on September 12, 2023. The developers describe the game's early access as “a shared experience where the community's feedback will impact priorities, content ideas, and development as the team brings the game to full launch.”

In case of any changes ahead of the game's release, we'll keep you updated right here on gaming.net. You can also keep tabs on the developer's social handle for exclusive information about the game here.

So, what's your take? Will you pick up a copy of Life by You when it releases? Let us know your thoughts on our socials here or down in the comments below.