Table of Contents
How to Download Paralives on Steam
Paralives is available exclusively through Steam on PC and Mac. Follow these steps to download and install the game:
Open Steam
Launch the Steam client on your computer. If you don't have Steam installed, download it from store.steampowered.com and create a free account.
Search for Paralives
Type "Paralives" in the Steam search bar at the top of the store page. Click on the game in the search results to go to its store page.
Purchase and Download
Click the "Add to Cart" button. Paralives is priced at $39.99 during Early Access. Complete the purchase, then click "Install" in your Steam library.
Wait for Installation
The game download size is approximately 8 GB. Depending on your internet speed, this may take 10–30 minutes. Once downloaded, Steam will automatically install the game files.
Quick Info
Price: $39.99 (Early Access) · Download Size: ~8 GB · Platform: PC (Windows) & Mac · Store: Steam only
Tip: Choose an install location with at least 12 GB of free space to accommodate future updates and patches. SSD storage is strongly recommended for faster loading times.
System Requirements Check
Before downloading, make sure your system meets the minimum requirements. Paralives is a demanding life simulation game with detailed 3D environments — running it on underpowered hardware will result in poor performance.
PC Requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 2.5 GHz | Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 3.0 GHz |
| Memory | 12 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 6600 XT | NVIDIA RTX 2060 / AMD RX 7600 XT |
| Storage | 8 GB available space (SSD recommended) | 12 GB available space (SSD required) |
Mac Requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M2 | Apple M3 or newer |
| Memory | 12 GB unified memory | 16 GB unified memory |
| macOS | macOS Big Sur 11+ | macOS Ventura 13+ |
| Storage | 8 GB available space | 12 GB available space |
Important: Paralives does not support Intel-based Macs. You need an Apple Silicon Mac (M1 Pro/M2 or newer) to run the game. Integrated graphics on older Intel Macs are not sufficient.
Fix Download Failed / Not Downloading
Steam download issues are common, especially during major game launches or sales. If Paralives won't download or the download keeps failing, try these solutions:
1. Clear Steam Download Cache
Open Steam → Settings → Downloads → Click "Clear Download Cache". This removes corrupted temporary files that may be blocking the download. Steam will restart after clearing the cache.
2. Change Download Region
Go to Settings → Downloads → Download Region. Select a different server region closer to your location. Sometimes your default region's servers are overloaded, especially during peak hours or game launches.
3. Verify Game File Integrity
Right-click Paralives in your Steam library → Properties → Local Files → "Verify integrity of game files". Steam will check for missing or corrupted files and redownload them automatically.
4. Disable Antivirus / Firewall Temporarily
Some antivirus programs (including Windows Defender) may block Steam from writing game files. Temporarily disable your antivirus and Windows Firewall during the download. Remember to re-enable them afterward.
5. Use a Wired Network Connection
Wi-Fi connections can be unstable and cause download interruptions. If possible, connect your computer directly to your router with an Ethernet cable for a more stable and faster download.
Fix Installation Errors
If Paralives downloaded successfully but won't install, or you're seeing error messages during installation, these are the most common causes and fixes:
1. Missing Visual C++ Runtime
Paralives requires the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package. If you see errors about missing DLL files (like vcruntime140.dll), download and install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (x64) from Microsoft's official website, then restart your computer and try launching the game again.
2. Insufficient Disk Space
Paralives needs at least 8 GB of free space for the base install, but we recommend 12+ GB for updates. Check your install drive's available space. If it's low, delete unnecessary files or choose a different drive with more room.
3. Permission Errors
If Steam can't write files to the install directory, run Steam as Administrator. Right-click the Steam shortcut → "Run as administrator". Also make sure your user account has full read/write permissions for the Steam installation folder.
4. Steam Client Issues
If nothing else works, try reinstalling the Steam client itself. First, back up your game files (Steam\steamapps\common), then uninstall Steam, download the latest version from store.steampowered.com, and reinstall. Your games will be detected automatically.
Fix Game Won't Launch / Black Screen
Sometimes Paralives installs correctly but refuses to start, or shows a black screen on launch. Here's how to fix it:
- Update your graphics drivers — This is the #1 cause of launch issues. Download the latest drivers from NVIDIA or AMD's website. Don't rely on Windows Update for GPU drivers.
- Verify game files — Right-click the game in Steam → Properties → Local Files → Verify integrity of game files.
- Run as Administrator — Right-click Paralives.exe → "Run as administrator" to bypass permission restrictions.
- Disable fullscreen optimization — Right-click Paralives.exe → Properties → Compatibility tab → Check "Disable fullscreen optimization".
- Lower launch resolution — In Steam, right-click the game → Properties → General → Launch Options. Add
-windowed -w 1280 -h 720to force windowed mode at a lower resolution. - Delete config files — Navigate to
%AppData%\Paralivesand delete the settings file. The game will recreate it with default settings on next launch.
Tip: If you're getting a black screen but can hear audio, the game is likely running at an unsupported resolution. Use the launch options trick above to force a lower resolution, then adjust in-game settings once you can see the menu.
Mac-Specific Issues
Paralives runs on Mac through Apple Silicon support, but there are some platform-specific quirks to be aware of:
- Ensure macOS Big Sur 11 or later — Older versions of macOS don't support the game's rendering engine. Update your Mac via System Settings → Software Update.
- Apple M2 or newer chip required — The original M1 may run the game but with significantly reduced performance. M2 is the official minimum, and M3 or newer is recommended for smooth gameplay.
- Rosetta 2 may be required — Some components of Paralives may still use x86 code. Steam should prompt you to install Rosetta 2 automatically, but if it doesn't, run
softwareupdate --install-rosettain Terminal. - Check storage space — Macs with limited storage (especially 256 GB models) may struggle. Ensure at least 12 GB free before installing. Go to Apple Menu → About This Mac → Storage to check.
Mac Warning: Do not attempt to run Paralives on Intel-based Macs, even with eGPUs. The game requires Apple Silicon architecture and will not launch on Intel processors.