XCOM 2, Midnight Suns Director Announces New Studio, Debut Title Is A Life Sim

Highlights

Solomon, a Firaxis veteran, launches Midsummer Studios with a team working on a player-driven life simulation game for the “mid-premium” market.
Midsummer’s debut title focuses on emergent self-created narratives in a small town setting, injecting drama and freedom for players to shape characters.
Inspired by his work on XCOM 2, Solomon aims to double down on player-driven narratives, creating an organic storytelling experience.

Jake Solomon, a 23-year veteran at legendary strategy-focused studio Firaxis, has today announced his new independent studio, Midsummer Studios.

Solomon is joined by Will Miller, a fellow Firaxis veteran, as well as Grant Rodiek, who spent 18 years at Maxis working on The Sims. The directorial team is rounded out by Nelsie Birch, who has a background in financial management.

The studio, which currently consists of ten people, is working on its debut title, a player-driven life simulation game aiming for the “mid-premium” (AA) market. Midsummer has raised $6 million in venture capital funding, from groups like Krafton, Transcend Fund and others.

Firaxis Veteran Jake Solomon Talks Creating A Player-Driven Life Simulator To Compete With The Sims

Midsummer Studios is a team specialising in system-driven games, and they’re looking to leave their mark on the life simulation genre.

We have a full interview with Jake Solomon, where he discusses his departure from Firaxis, Midsummer’s debut title and the current tumultuous state of the gaming industry.

A Different Kind Of Life Sim

Midsummer is currently working on a life simulation game driven by self-created narratives. You’re going to pilot a character in a small town, with the game’s complex systems creating emergent storylines for the player to react to.

“I really wanted it to be about emergent stories – to create a sort of playground,” Solomon told DualShockers. “The idea is that it’s set in a small town, and you can change everything. We’ve staffed it with characters, but players can change those characters in any way they want. You’re guiding your character through their small-town life and we’re injecting drama, big and small.”

The idea was borne out of Solomon’s love for self-created narratives in his previous work like XCOM 2. You can customise your soldiers, giving them personality and background. Then, you’ll see where the game takes them, creating an organic story for these characters that you invested time and creativity into.

XCOM 2 War of the Chosen Psi Templar Operative In Combat — XCOM 2

“All of the games I made previously at Firaxis were not as scripted, they’re more systems-based,” Solomon says. “I got an idea in my head, what if we doubled down on player-driven narratives?”

This was the driving force behind the creation of Midsummer Studios. Currently, the team is working on developing a prototype, and eventually a demo.