Chinese developer Seed Lab has lifted the curtain on the expansive construction and customization features for its upcoming life simulation game, Starsand Island, set to release on PC and consoles in early 2026. From building sprawling manors to cozy cottages, players will have the tools to design, decorate, and share their dream homes from day one.
Three Ways to Build in Starsand Island
Revealed during gamescom, Starsand Island will launch with three distinct construction modes:
- Free-View Building – A flexible toolkit that allows players to construct homes from the ground up, choosing shapes, structures, and landscaping elements.
- Character Perspective – Step into your avatar’s shoes to decorate interiors and exteriors with precision.
- Local View – Perfect for fine-tuning smaller spaces like aquariums or decorative displays.
These modes together form the heart of Starsand Island’s promise: full creative freedom, from the walls of your dream house to the details of your flowerbeds.
Tools for Every Builder
Seed Lab is equipping players with an extensive suite of design tools and options, including:
- Building Textures – Eight unique surface styles such as wood grain, brick, stone, matte or gloss paint, metallics, and even ceramics.
- Day/Night Cycle – Preview builds under different lighting, from dawn to golden hour and beyond.
- Blueprints Library – Save, share, and download house designs. NPCs also provide official blueprints to inspire new creations.
- Batch Editing – Quickly redesign or demolish large sections to pivot your project in a new direction.
From elegant Tudor homes to modern bungalows, Starsand Island gives builders the freedom to express their unique vision.
A Community of Creators
Beyond the personal satisfaction of building, Starsand Island introduces the Blueprints Library, a community-driven system where players can upload and share their designs. Friends and fellow players can download complete house layouts, decorations, and landscaping styles, or customize them further to fit their island vision.
This feature turns the game into more than just a solo experience—it creates a collaborative hub of creativity where inspiration is only a click away.
Developer Insights
Richardo Wang, Creative Director at Seed Lab, explained the philosophy behind these tools:
“Creating a perfect, pastoral paradise takes more than growing vegetables and making friends with fellow islanders. It’s about building the dream home you’ve always imagined. Every window, every door, every decoration—it’s about giving players that freedom.”
Goltan Gao, Technical Director, added:
“We built a bespoke game engine for Starsand Island to make these creative tools possible. Even during development, our own teams have been designing diverse homes—and we can’t wait to see the community’s creations once the game launches.”
The Next Big Life Sim?
With robust customization systems, community blueprint sharing, and a focus on creative expression, Starsand Island is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most exciting new life sims. Whether you’re designing a countryside villa, a chic modern home, or a quirky fantasy getaway, Seed Lab wants every player to feel like an architect of their own island paradise.
