§1 — Project Overview
Vision, genre, core pillars, competitive analysis, and platform scope.
Game Identity
Concept
LifeTogether is a multiplayer life simulation game inspired by The Sims 2, where players create and control virtual people (Sims), build homes, pursue careers, form relationships, and live out entire virtual lifetimes — sharing that world with friends and strangers in real time.
Genre Tags
- Life Simulation
- Social / Sandbox MMO-lite
- Base Building (Residential)
- Relationship / Narrative RPG
- Cozy / Casual
Target Audience
- Primary — Ages 16–35, Sims franchise fans
- Players of cozy games (Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing)
- Social gamers who play with friends
- Secondary — Streamers, content creators
- Life-RPG hybrid fans (Story of Seasons, My Time at Portia)
Platform Targets
- PC — Primary (Steam + Epic Games Store)
- Console — PS5 / Xbox Series X (6mo post-launch)
- Mobile — Companion app (Year 1 post-launch)
Ratings Target
- ESRB: T (Teen) — suggestive themes, mild language
- PEGI: 12
The Four Core Pillars
🏗️ Pillar 1 — Express Yourself
Rich CAS, deep build/buy modes, personality and trait systems. No two playthroughs look the same.
🤝 Pillar 2 — Live Together
Multiplayer isn't bolted on — it's central. Other players enrich your story rather than disrupt it.
📖 Pillar 3 — Tell Your Story
Emergent narrative through careers, aspirations, relationships, and life events creating personal moments.
🎮 Pillar 4 — Always Something to Do
Whether 10 minutes or 10 hours, the game always offers something satisfying and progress-meaningful.
Competitive Analysis
| Competitor | Strengths | Weakness | Our Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Sims 4 | Brand recognition, deep content | No multiplayer, aging engine | Multiplayer-first, fairer monetization |
| InZOI | Stunning UE5 visuals | No multiplayer, potentially shallow | Social depth, MP from day one |
| Paralives | Community-driven, flexible building | Very long dev, single-player only | Multiplayer, live service, faster pace |
| Animal Crossing NH | Cozy tone, massive audience | Shallow social, limited expression | Deeper sim, richer narrative |
| Second Life / VRChat | True social sandbox, UGC | Dated UI, high entry barrier | Structured loop, guided progression |
Implementation Status
Launch Scope (v1.0 Target)
Included at Launch
- 1 full neighborhood — Maplewood (4 sub-districts)
- Create-A-Sim with 200+ customization options
- Full build & buy mode
- 10 career tracks, 20+ skills
- 6 life stages: Baby → Elder
- Multiplayer for up to 8 players per instance
- ~30 NPCs per neighborhood
- 4 community lot types
Post-Launch Roadmap
- Additional neighborhoods (expansion packs)
- New career tracks & skill trees
- Seasonal live events
- Console port (6 months post-PC)
- Modding SDK (Year 1)
- Mobile companion app (Year 1)