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Hey everyone! I hope you are doing well!

Diversity Surveys

Making Paralives a very diverse and inclusive game has always been a top priority. Since we are a small team, we feel like we are missing some perspective. So today, we are reaching out to the Paralives community with the first of many survey to make sure the game is as diverse and inclusive as possible! We are so grateful to be able to learn more about everyone's background and translate that as well as possible in Paralives.

So this first survey is about cultural diversity. Do you sometimes feel like video games do a bad job of representing something from your culture or country? We'd like to do better! So please help us by filling this 10-15 minutes survey. It's really useful for us as it will give us many ideas to integrate cultural elements into the game. This survey is for Patrons only for now so don't share it but we will make it public in the coming days to gather as much feedback as possible.

Our cultural diversity survey: https://forms.gle/rDLu47YfU1G6keZW8


Create a Para Poll

Thanks so much to everyone who already participated in the poll to create our first male Para. You guys have so many fun and interesting idea and we can't wait to share them with you next week! If you haven't submitted your answers yet, there's still time to do it:  https://forms.gle/SQdF94UhDvACTXx29
But please don't share this survey because it's for Patrons only!


Development Update

We're pretty busy working on some important features for the game and we can't wait to show that to you soon! Also, the process to hire new members on the team is going well and we're about to start the first interview round. Lots of exciting stuff are coming for Paralives, stay tuned!


Have a great weekend! :)

Alex and the team


Files

Previews only

Comments

Rivers

Happy for you guys!! xxx

Michael

Take your time, the game will come out great eventually. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle, it takes patience and dedication to make it into a blockbuster hit!👌

Camilo Quintero

I’m really excited!! Love you all from Colombia! ❤️

Anonymous

This is so exciting to see cultures being represented from the jump versus being added retroactively which is what a lot of games do.

Becky

Thankyou Alex and team! You’re doing a great job and cannot wait to see what you’ve got to show us all next 😇🎉👏🏻

Lenny

Finished ❤️

Dizzardy

How long will the cultural diversity poll be up? I think I'll have to spend some time thinking about it. (I'm from Ireland)

ghoulsrule

I cant get past the rank the importance option no matter what i select it just says don't pick more than one per column but I havent?

Anonymous

Greeting from Panamá!🇵🇦🇵🇦🇵🇦

Bianca J

Wow, I'm super hyped. I can't wait to find out what you have in store for us

Sophie

I appreciate you guys taking the time to make sure there is representation in your game. I know this game is special, and I am very proud of you all.

Anonymous

I really really loved this survey. I apologize as some of my answers are long. But this was so nice of you to put out. I am so excited.

Cari

Thank you! Originally from South Africa. I think you might have to Google some of the words in my answers, but there is no English word for some things

Anonymous

I’m so happy you guys are doing this! I don’t have any culture really but I’m excited to see what other people want!

Breoni Hester

This is so amazing to see and truly makes me hopeful - even if things are missing or aren't quite perfect, I'm comforted knowing that the team behind this truly does care about representation.

Beth Anne

I started to fill it out and realized I don't have anything culturally significant about me. XD

Anonymous

I might be being dumb right now, but I'm stuck on the ranking the importance question. It won't let me put more than one category for each level of importance but it won't let me leave them blank either.

Mo Des

Thank you guys for putting such care into trying to make sure we're all appreciated, that's so awesome

Grace

You have to rank them all in order (1-5) from most important to least important

Simmons

Yes, this is what I love to see! I’m definitely going to take my time filling this out 💕On that note Happy Juneteenth 💚❤️🖤

Pyrus

Thank you so much for this opportunity!

Ella Pilchik

Even though I'm atheist my family is Jewish and I would love to see that representation I'm glad they are doing a survey.

talaynalynn

I'd love to see religion included. Religion is a big part of my life and each religion has its own culture as well.

mar

As a Polynesian islander, I'd like to thank y’all for including us in this. We are ALWAYS forgotten on the world map...

Anonymous

I’m so happy! I just finished filling it out, hopefully the Latino culture will have more representation in this game!

Camilla Fontana

I really love the fact that you have the humility to admit that since you are a small team, you are missing the diversity and so you come to us to better understand. I loved being able to give my little contribution to the survey and I'm sure things like this, if truly listened, will make the game amazing!

Shelly Rice

Done 😊 great chance for us all to share our uniqueness 👍👍

Aleksandra

Tfw you're always one of the first people to comment but you just spent 30+ minutes filling out the survey 👀

Nazly Sabet

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Egyptian culture much except for in adventure games and very briefly or about ancient Egyptians. So kinda cool.

sofst

YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST

Simday1

This is a blessing like, really! So Fresh!

Anonymous

Done! Nice survey!

Anonymous

Hi from the Province of Quebec ! French community inside North America are literally left out of video game, although we have been fighting for hundreds of years for our way of life and our culture.

Kiiiwiii

HOW am I supposed to choose what is the least important? It would be so much easier if we could choose 3 things that is most important

Anonymous

It’s hard to choose the least important because they all matter a lot to me, I’m sure others feel the same way.

Zedef

Felt bad I had to google typical hobbies for my country lmao

Gill Reid

Maybe my brain is asleep at the moment but I can't get past page 2. I click next and nothing happens

Oona

I can't get past the "rate what's most important" it doesn't let me past that. It says one answer per row but I don't know what that means. There are only 3 options but i have to click everything. But I also am not allowed to do that

Naka

Thank you, I finally feel like I can have a say about things. I dont see enough of African culture in games that I play, or many options for people of colour in terms of skin tone and hair texture/ styles, which can be really frustrating when its is such a big part of our culture. And also it can be disheartening when you don't feel represented, because you cant even create yourself. I forgot to mention this in my survey, but I would also love to see disabled people represented in this game. Thank you! :)

Anonymous

I moved from Ukraine when I was 13 years old... 18 years later with this survey I fell nostalgia and it's really emotive remember my childhood and all the great things that my country has... Would be great if you could include some reference :)

Soul Empress

I feel weird that I don’t find my country having specific stuff to implement in a game. I know there are things that is particular to my country, but I can’t really see how it could be put in a game like this... It’s easier to see how things don’t relate in such games, rather than writing what I feel like needs to be implemented. Total realisation :D

Soul Empress

Same! I mean we do have cultural things, but I have a hard time seeing how they can be put in a game and be obvious. :)

Soul Empress

Funny you wrote jigsaw puzzle. It’s not a cultural thing, but I like doing puzzles, and with this survey I was thinking that it could be cool to have jigsaw puzzles as a way to get fun, logic etc. :)

Anonymous

I think it is amazing how you include your community in the game so much. It's awesome!!

Anonymous

I loved this survey! The polish culture and even Scandinavian cultures as a group are so under represented. I think I filled out way too much but I hope it gives some choices!

Josefine Andersen

its so hard to pic stuff I can give you an essay on food alone

Jazzyfay

The survey isn't working for me, mainly the second slide

bingbong

Unfortunately I can't get past the 2nd page, but this survey is a great idea. You guys have never failed to impress with your dedication to listen to the fans and their own personal opinions/suggestions and ideas.

Macayla

As a white American, I think there is too much white American representation. You all deserve more.

Natasha Welsh

Doing the survey, I was kinda shocked how little I knew about my culture. I'm kinda curious about it, I'll have to talk to my dad next time I can to ask more about my Italian side XD

Bailey Harris

I'd be pretty stoked to see New Zealand Māori culture represented, it feels so "niche" of a representation that it usually just gets swallowed up into a generalised Pacific Island culture in most international media

Haley

It will be nice to maybe see some Italian representation that’s not murdering members of the Mafia 😂 also female body hair, on places like arms and legs

Anonymous

The most important thing about my culture is that we don't have a culture except from our fish meals and the fact that we are rude and don't like to talk to people. 😂

Similicious

I'm so glad you guys care 🤗🥰 Thank you for asking

Anomanom

As much as I would love for there to be a robust amount of customization upon launch, I feel it would be better in regards to time and quality assurance if you simply release tools that would allow for the community to create custom content. While this survey is a good idea, you will only get a very small amount of the many diverging cultures that exist, including the sub-cultures in those as well.

Anonymous

You have rate each item differently - no two can have the same rating. :)

Bespectacled_Beans

I'm American, so maybe my answers aren't particularly unique, but I did mention a few things I'd like to see in addition to the usual California/beach lifestyle we've had in games past. Still, I'm so happy the team made this survey; a life simulator should be just that--a simulator of life anywhere in the world! I can't wait to see what the team comes up with!

Zeevryn

I’m excited and thankful that this game wants to be inclusive and is asking us about this stuff! I’m sure it would be difficult, like impossible, to include *everything,* but even small inclusions could be special to see. I’m looking forward to this game so much! 😁

Carelle

Taking this survey reminded me that in the state that I live in the highland games takes place, I would love to go there again as it was the most I was able to learn about my clan. It was also where I learned that clans have different colored kilts depending on the special occasion. See something like this would be great to have in the game. I have always been proud of my Scottish heritage, and I don't see it in games all that often, if at all. I will have to go back to the highland games (hopefully next year) to see what else I learn about my clan and traditional Scotland.

Zeevryn

Same. I’m going, huh, I know I have several different heritages (French, German, English, Scottish, and Native American, at least), but I actually know very little about what that means in terms of culture and what they do. I guess it’s time for research?

Ida

Sounds like you're talking about Sweden, so don't forget about midsommar!

Breoni Hester

I personally would probably never use it but seeing kilts as an option would be SO cool.

Joanie Boissonneault

Omg I love this! Im so happy to see almost every culture will have a little something and won't have to beg for it or have it in an update.

xPami

This is great idea. I appreciate how much you guys care so much about being inclusive ❤️

A.Marx

I put a lot of stuff in the survey and after I send it I noticed that I just forgot lots of important things...Now I fell really bad about the bunch of things I couldn't remember when I was answering. Anyway, I loved the survey idea! ❤️❤️❤️

Anonymous

I would love to see Baba-Nyonya culture in South-Eastern Asia represented in this game, cuz I never saw my culture represented in any other video games

Anonymous

Me too!!! I forgot lots of stuff too, I hope that they will do researches on the keywords of my response

Tini

I really appreciate that we are so involved in making the game, thank you for your hard work ❤️

Anonymous

I love how much effort the team is going through to make sure that everyone feels represented. I can’t imagine how long it’s going to take to go through all of these surveys... just shows how dedicated the team is to inclusivity. I’m stoked that I got the chance to ask for some representation of Indigenous Australians! Thanks guys!

Lucy McClean

Better that than absolutely nothing and another totally unrepresentative game. Most players are going to play vanilla, at least for the first few weeks. It's better to cover a wider range of cultures and races than not even bother. White is not the default.

Aaron

I’m canadian so my answers are probably the last thing this canadian team needs, but I’m so thrilled to see how committed you guys are to making this game as diverse and inclusive as possible! I just gain more and more respect for this team with each bit of news <3

Roe B.

Man, doing this survey made me feel homesick for Jamaica, and wasn't even there past 9. Had to buy a variety pack of Jamaican pastries just to get my Spice Bun and harddough bread fix just recently, seeing as there's so little of the culture where I am, which is strange, seeing as there are so many Jamaicans here...

Naomi Vincent

I'm American so I can only give answers to cultures I'm adjacent to. I'm interested to see what other cultures get represented!

Anonymous

I would love to see different curl patterns and braids in the game, I feel they aren't always represented well. Thank you for being so inclusive!

Aww

what a great idea! i spent my morning filling it out but i really don’t think mine will be included 😂 it’s just waaaay too obscure and “nobody cares” kind of culture 😂 i’m really looking forward to general diversity though! ESPECIALLY THE FOOD. And the hair!!

Aww

okay please don’t beat me with sticks but until literally last week i had NO IDEA what Indigenous Australians even looked like. I really hope they include your heritage in the game! I feel like we all know about Native Americans but not nearly enough of us know about Indigenous Australians. (as a side note, I’m not from the English-speaking part of the world so that might explain my lack of knowledge about this but certainly doesn’t excuse it)

Aww

i just realised that i might have messed up the geographical location on the map 🙈 where my mum is from is right on the border of europe and asia so it’s like, on this side of the river it’s europe and o. the other one it’s asia. rip 😂

Anonymous

I couldn't stop laughing while doing the para guy survey, cos what I was writing in the 'fun detail' section was so morbid lol

Hamster Tam

It's very difficult to chose region for me too, because I live in Siberia and it's more like Northern Asia, but if to choose from the map that's given in survey I have to choose Eastern Europe region :D

Anonymous

I would love to see Australian culture incorporated somehow maybe with traditional indigenous Australian artwork that the paras can make

Anonymous

So excited! Thank you for asking us! <3

Anonymous

Really glad. love this idea!

LightDeficient

It was kind of hard to do this survey as I am a white European and for the most part really represented. I don't feel like the game needs a midsummer pole and flower crowns to make me feel represented as a Swede, but I do want black and African cultures to be way more represented than they are in other games, and for the love of God don't make people have to pay extra for this. I want loads of curly/kinky hairstyles and braided ones would be really nice to see as well!

sagebye

I would’ve filled in the survey, but my country is very similar to Canada and America (in culture) so that’s why I didn’t do it.

LadyJ

I really appreciate the involevment of all cultures! I'm Black (US) and would love to see more natural hairstyles (thick 4c textures definitely)!

Ayanna F

As a black woman from the Caribbean, I find this survey very important!

ladyteruki

I find this survey important but since you're currently in the process of hiring after we reached several Patreon goals lately, I hope you also ACTIVELY look to diversifying your team. One survey doesn't replace having someone on the team who can have a continued input on some things.

Adina

As a fellow swede, I agree! While it would be so much fun to be able to play kubb, and dance around a maypole with your paras, it definitely should not be prioritized apposed to other cultures! I have curly hair and know representation for those kinds of things are really lacking in other games and in general. Much love!

Anonymous

As a black woman myself, it’s hard finding games that truly show good representation of what black people look like. Game developers often make their black characters too “ashy” or their hair has the wrong texture or it’s not any black hairstyles. There is also not a lot of black game developers representing even though, they are out there. I’d like to see some more diversity on the team. Specifically Black and other POC.

NHFoodie

I realized I forgot a regional build design that I'd love to see: covered bridges! Being able to build over water would make roads etc come to life and look like the area I'm from.

Scarlletta

I agree, I often see even awful shades of brown almost becoming purple on some games. And many often miss the mark that some darker skin tones don’t have hues of pink on them, in face with me, I’m lighter brown on some areas and darker brown in others, but my only option is pink or charcoal cheeks sometimes.

Anonymous

Yes, having diversity on the team is very important for many reasons.

Lucas

Omg I honestly can't wait for this game, it's gonna be so amazing Xx

Amy

I'm not really too concerned with the game representing my culture and ethnicity (since i'm just a white British girl) so I didn't do the survey, but if there is one thing I could say, it would be this. Maybe not make the game so americanized like the sims does, so for example, small things like mail boxes or big things like the education system. I wouldn't mind per say but maybe make it so you can personlise it, just a thought.

Lenny

I’ve really enjoyed these surveys ❤️

Joanna Hinds

The part that asked about other games that represented your culture I had to say they aren’t any! That’s so sad. The world loves Caribbean culture so much and hardly gives us any representation.

Anonymous

You should do the survey and write exactly that! I did the same, I couldn’t agree more. America has a very different culture from Europe, and most games are heavily americanized

Jordan Harrison

Loved doing this survey. I feel like the gaming industry could use more diversity and I'm so glad you're allowing us to have a voice on the matter. Keep up the amazing work.

Monica Johnson

After completing the survey, I had an idea that might help make hairstyles more diverse! What does everyone else think of it?? ***More hairstyles/beard/body hair varieties for different cultures (especially black, asian, and indian cultures) More accessories for hair like hairclips, hairbands, bows/baby headbands. I'd love to have the option to maybe style hair with gel, the option to add bangs/braids to a hairstyle, add hair dye, longer lengths that could go down to a paras butt. ***I think it could be really cool if we were able to choose sections of the head and select from pre-made hairstyles/lengths to create our own hairstyles. (kind of like how you can edit different sections of clothes/objects in the sims 3. For example, have one side of the head have long hair, but the other side could be shaved/shorter, and the option to do the opposite of that. We could choose how long bangs could be as well!***

Kitten Walters

I went on an art rant by accident and posted this. Sorry! No cultural significance but I'd love more art depth. Drawing, painting, coloring, jewelry making, knitting/crochet, sculpting, maybe DIY or scrapbooking, maybe sewing, maybe artistic baking (intricate breads, decorating cakes and cookie)

Kitten Walters

I also mentioned disability representation and would to give more insight on that but don't feel this is the correct space.

Anonymous

Every game has Easter this and Easter that but its always the Catholic version. I would love to see some Orthodox Easter with some egg fighting.

Bethy Grace

As a white Australian (with European heritage), I'm not sure what cultural diversity of significance I could suggest for the game, but I'd love the ability for parents to set "family values" that they teach their kids, leading to personality traits or interests or something like that. It would be really cool to be able to have "traditional white western" values, Asain, Black, South American - any. Things like "family relationships", "academic achievement", "career success", "marriage", "fun", "duty" - I'd need to brainstorm for a more complete list. And then we could have the opportunity for conflict and interesting gameplay if the children do not agree with the family values... I want my kids to be able to fight with their parents, decide their own values, seek to become more culturally sensitive and accepting of others. I feel that is important. Just my two cents :)

Anonymous

as a brazilian i almost never see my culture represented in games, i really loved this survey!

S&M Gonzalez

I didn't take the survey because I'm living in the usa it's hard to pinpoint lol. But the things important for me for representing culture in game would be having textiles that are true to their regions for clothing, different hairstyles and curl patterns, musical instruments/music from different regions would be nice also. Also for us who are poc i think having some sort of undertones slider would greatly help in getting accurate skin tones and colors.

Anonymous

Brazilians represent a huge percentage of gamers and internet denizens in general, it would be wonderful to have more representation of their culture!

Alexa Lubin

I love you guys for this💕

Anonymous

I'm not the best at speaking in English (sometimes I use a translator), so my (long) answers are in Spanish. I'm so sorry 4 my english :( I hope you can take the time to see them because I take some time to respond. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to us.

Anonymous

I'm a mix of different nationalities, I'm 50% Portuguese on my dad's side of the family but they were raised more around Hawaiian culture; So I'd like to see beautiful islands with vivid color, floral print, and loose-hanging neutrals and mu'umu'u. On my mom's side of the family, I'm Croatian, Slovenian, Austrian, Irish, and Scottish. I don't know much about Croatian and Slovenian culture. But for the Irish culture idea's you could add Celtic Pagan festivals Riverdance, Trad music, and pubs. For Scottish culture, you could add different clans, Kilts or Tartan, Castles, and Highland games.

Anonymous

Different Food Ideas: Poi, Laulau, Kalua Pork, Chicken Hekka, Sarma, Boxty, Coddle, Barmbrack, Champ, Shepherd's pie, Haggis, Raspberry Cranachan, Cock-a-Leekie Soup, Rumbledthumps, Stovies, and Massa Sovada.

ponyfhtagn

Will there be another survey to discuss sexuality and gender diversity? I have nothing to contribute on the cultural front (except to stand back and let others speak) but I have opinions and experiences to talk about regarding sexuality and gender options.

Anna

Yes, there will be one about sexuality and gender diversity!

Anonymous

I would really love to see some respectful representation of American Indian and other indigenous cultures. I'm not part of these communities but my partner is, and the lack of any non-stereotyped recognition of these cultures in media is incredibly frustrating! Some suggestions: the ability to go wild-ricing with family and friends, to craft moccasins and other culturally-significant items, to cook fry bread and other traditional foods, and items that feature designs common to these cultures such as feathers, turtles, wolves, etc.

Anonymous

I absolutely love this! I didn't have much to contribute as a white Briton, but I'm excited to see all the different cultures and their representations in future updates. This was such a thoughtful survey ❤

Wondrous_Mickey

I would really love representation of Slavic culture

Anonymous

whenever i see 'cultural diversity' in relation to a game (or entertainment in general) i think "uh-oh".

Daniel Charles

Thanks so much for taking the time to listen to, and consider including so many different backgrounds. I foresee some awesome characters! ❤❤❤

Anonymous

I'm a Brazilian, gaúcha (I'd love to see chimarrão and this culture in the game), with Polish and Irish antecedence.

Anonymous

Lol it's funny bc I'm brazilian too and I've never had a single sip of chimarrão in my whole life. Also, we are considered latin. I think something like brigadeiro is a better option to be in a game, or anything that belongs to all regions of the country.

Anonymous

This is so awesome for me as a 100% mexican girl!

Anonymous

I'm from Russia, Moscow, Zelenograd. I have family ties in eastern europe 1) Russian braids and beards; 2) russian religious shawls; 3)something related to Russian huts, palaces, churches; 4) borsch, other Russian soups, dumplings, kvass/ kvas. Orthodox Easter, Orthodox Christmas, Maslenitsa, etc

Anonymous

i think chav culture / junkies in britain should be represented, why only ever the stereotypical top hats and cups of tea? what about the tracksuits, teen pregnancies and benefit culture of the council estates? i think we have another side to how the world perceives white britain

Anonymous

I’m just british

Maiden Minnesota

Not sure I remembered to include that I'm also Jewish. Jewish people are far more than just a Chanukah menorah in the winter (got that, EA?) Clothing options (modest, long skirts/dresses with higher necklines and long sleeves, yarmulkes, etc.) are non-existent for The Sims (I've had to fake it with what's available for adults, like the hair wrap for married women, but forget kids), as are any other objects that would make up a Jewish household.

j

I fully agree. I'm not a particularly modest Jewish femme, but I definitely see the need you're expressing here.

Xlove90

I missed this survey 😭😭 Hope we get some indian cultural stuff too. Like clothes/objects/events/food. 🥰

Annamaris

Wow, there has been a survey about the cultural diversity, too! Cool! Of course, it's a bit sad it has closed already but I really count on those who answered it. Personally, I just hope the flexibility of gameplay for different families. For example, the children wouldn't be forced to travel school by the school bus like in the Sims 3, they could spend time home alone if they are old enough and the curfew would be fully optional (okay, these examples are more about raising children but I hope you got my point. Please no forcing). In addition, I hope the custom foods and intredigents could be easily added by modding, and there would be options to choose which intredigents to use for the specific food, like curries and sushis. ...and the same calendar system like in TS4 would be neat. (...and the proper saunas if you ask about my "culture" :D)

Mirka Lintula

I missed the survey, but I'll just add my tiny voice here : If there's a possibility to add a sauna to the game that would be wonderful. ❤️ Sauna's a huge part of Finnish culture and I have personally never seen a house in Finland that didn't include one. We go to sauna on every holiday, be it winter or Summer. Sauna is almost sacred to Finns.

Anonymous

id just like to see it all be a little less suburban north american... like sometimes ts4 is just nauseating. like when they created windenburg to be "european inspired" but it just looks like a part of disney world, not the least bit actually european