<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<game>
  <title>House Builder Sim</title>
  <slug>house-builder-sim</slug>
  <short-desc>Design, build, and furnish your dream home from scratch in this creative sandbox simulation game. Manage your budget and bring your ideas to life!</short-desc>
  <categories>
    <category>Simulation</category>
    <category>Building</category>
    <category>Creative</category>
  </categories>
  <keywords>house builder, simulation, building game, interior design, sandbox, architecture, free game, html5 game, creative game, dream home</keywords>
  <content>
# About House Builder Sim

House Builder Sim is a creative sandbox game where you become the architect and interior designer of your own home. Starting with a generous budget and an empty plot of land, you have complete freedom to construct the house you've always imagined. The game combines strategic budget management with limitless creative possibilities, offering a relaxing yet engaging experience.

From laying the foundation with walls to choosing the perfect sofa, every decision is yours. The intuitive interface and grid-based system make it easy to translate your ideas onto the screen. Whether you're building a cozy one-room cabin or a sprawling multi-room mansion, the only limit is your imagination and your starting funds.

## How to Play

Your main objective is to build and furnish a house using a starting budget of $10,000. Gameplay is divided into four modes, which you can switch between using the buttons at the top of the screen.

- **Select Mode:** The default mode. Click and drag to pan your view around the map. Use the mouse wheel or pinch-to-zoom on mobile to get a closer look or a wider perspective.
- **Build Mode:** Click and drag on the grid to construct walls. Walls snap horizontally or vertically. Each grid unit of wall costs $50, which is deducted from your budget.
- **Buy Mode:** This mode opens a catalog of furniture at the bottom of the screen. Select an item, and a preview will follow your cursor. Click on a valid spot to place the item and purchase it. The game will prevent you from placing objects on top of each other or if you don't have enough money.
- **Sell Mode:** Need to make a change or recoup some cash? Switch to Sell Mode and click on any wall or piece of furniture to remove it. You will receive a 50% refund of its original cost.

## Features

- **Freeform Sandbox Construction:** Build without restrictive rules. Design your floor plan exactly how you want it by drawing walls directly on the grid.
- **Budget Management:** Start with $10,000 and make every dollar count. The cost of walls and furniture requires strategic planning to complete your vision.
- **Interior Design Catalog:** Furnish your home with a variety of items, including sofas, beds, tables, rugs, and plants, each with a specific size and price.
- **Intuitive Controls:** A simple point-and-click interface, combined with drag-and-drop mechanics and zoom controls, makes building easy and fun on both desktop and mobile devices.

## Controls

- **Switch Modes:** Click the **Select**, **Build**, **Buy**, or **Sell** buttons in the top bar.
- **Pan View (Select Mode):** Click and drag the mouse or your finger across the screen.
- **Build Walls (Build Mode):** Click and drag from a starting point to an end point.
- **Place/Sell Items (Buy/Sell Mode):** Click on the grid to place the selected item or click on an existing item to sell it.
- **Zoom In/Out:** Use the mouse wheel on a desktop or pinch-to-zoom on a touch screen.

## Tips & Strategies

- **Plan Ahead:** Before you start building expensive walls, pan around and visualize your layout. Correcting mistakes by selling walls only gives you half your money back!
- **Furnish Smart:** Pay attention to the dimensions of furniture in the catalog. A large dining table might not fit in the small dining room you just built. Measure twice, build once!
- **Remodel with Sell Mode:** Don't be afraid to use the Sell tool. It's a great way to reconfigure a room or upgrade furniture as you refine your design, and the 50% refund helps finance the changes.
  </content>
  <faq>
    <question>How do I save my progress in the game?</question>
    <answer>This game is session-based. Your progress is not saved if you close or refresh the browser tab, so be sure to complete your creation in one sitting!</answer>
    
    <question>Can I play this game on mobile devices?</question>
    <answer>Yes, the game is designed to be fully responsive and supports touch controls, including panning and pinch-to-zoom, for a great experience on phones and tablets.</answer>
    
    <question>Is this game free to play?</question>
    <answer>Yes, this game is completely free to play in your browser. All features are available from the start with no hidden costs.</answer>
  </faq>
  <specifications>
    <multiplayer>false</multiplayer>
  </specifications>
</game>

An interactive game created with AI assistance