Jake Solomon shuts Midsummer Studios, reveals AI life sim Burbank in farewell trailer

XCOM Director Announces Unexpected Studio Closure

Jake Solomon, the veteran game developer behind XCOM and Marvel Midnight Suns at Firaxis, announced the closure of Midsummer Studios in a surprising statement shared on social media1

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. The studio, which Solomon co-founded with fellow Firaxis veteran Will Miller in May 2024, is shutting down just 21 months after its formation3

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. "We built a studio, we made a game, and I'm really proud of both," Solomon wrote, offering no detailed explanation for the studio closure2

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. The announcement marks another disappointing chapter in the game industry's ongoing challenges, with yet another team of experienced developers forced to shut down before releasing their debut title.

Burbank Game Trailer Reveals AI Life Sim Concept

Before closing doors, Solomon shared pre-alpha footage of Burbank, the next-gen life simulation game Midsummer Studios had been developing1

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. The Burbank game trailer showcases a unique concept Solomon described as "Life Sims + The Truman Show," where players act as directors creating TV show-like narratives with customizable characters2

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. The gameplay resembles The Movies from Lionhead Studios, allowing players to pick characters, establish character motivations, and watch dramatic storylines unfold across various genres from soap opera to sci-fi epic1

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. "I believe people are storytellers, and I want them to share whatever stories and characters they can dream up," Solomon explained3

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AI-Powered Characters Drive Player-Driven Narratives

The game's most distinctive feature involves AI-powered characters that use artificial intelligence for character memory, reasoning, and speech1

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. Solomon clarified the studio's AI implementation in a follow-up statement: "Our characters use AI for memory, reasoning and speech. That's what lets you create anyone you want and drop them in any story you write"3

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. He emphasized that all art was created by talented artists at the studio, stating they "had no interest in replacing any developers with AI"1

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. This approach to player-driven narratives meant characters weren't fully controlled by players, instead developing their own responses based on established parameters—creating what Solomon called moments "where characters come alive in a way we've never experienced"3

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. The sandbox game allowed unlocking new abilities and locations as players progressed, including The Office-style talking head interviews3

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Funding Challenges End Ambitious Vision

Midsummer Studios had secured $6 million in funding from venture capitalists and PUBG maker Krafton to develop what was billed as a next-gen life simulation game emphasizing player creativity1

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. The team included long-time employees from The Sims developer Maxis, bringing strong life sim pedigree to the project2

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. Solomon's last LinkedIn post three months ago expressed excitement about sharing more details soon, giving no indication of impending trouble1

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. The XCOM director had left Firaxis following Marvel's Midnight Suns' poor commercial performance in 2022, despite the game receiving critical acclaim3

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. Solomon's ambiguous language about the closure leaves questions about whether Burbank might continue in some form, though with the studio shutting down, its future remains uncertain. For storytellers and game developers watching the space, the closure highlights ongoing challenges in securing sustained funding for innovative concepts, particularly those experimenting with AI integration.