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| The logo for Midsummer Studios |
It was a story that began with boundless optimism and a dream to redefine life simulation games. In 2024, Jake Solomon, the visionary former creative director behind Firaxis hits like XCOM 2 and Marvel’s Midnight Suns, set out to capture the magic of emergent storytelling. He teamed up with fellow Firaxis veterans Will Miller and Ryan Meier—the son of legendary designer Sid Meier—to found Midsummer Studios. Their goal was as ambitious as it was simple: to build a next-generation life sim where the drama of modern life would write itself.
The unnamed project was pitched as a "player-driven story generator," a spiritual successor to the Sims formula but with a focus on meaningful, organic narratives. With $6 million in seed funding from prominent investors including Krafton and Transcend Fund, the studio promised a utopian work culture built on shared equity and unlimited PTO. It felt like the start of something special.
But just over a year later, that story has come to a sudden and heartbreaking end. On February 19th, Solomon took to social media to announce the studio's closure, releasing the first and final public glimpse of the game they had poured their hearts into: a life sim called Burbank.
A Final Glimpse of What Could Have Been
In an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter), Solomon shared a farewell message alongside a pre-alpha showcase video.
"We built a studio, we made a game, and I'm really proud of both. Before we close the doors at Midsummer Studios I'd like to share a glimpse of Burbank, the game we poured our hearts into," he wrote. "It's like 'Life Sims + The Truman Show,' but it's more than that."
The post linked to a video, which you can watch below, offering a poignant look at the game's unique premise. While still in a rough, pre-alpha state, Burbank was envisioned as a world where every character and interaction felt alive, blending the mundane with the cinematic.
The footage hints at the game's core ambition: to create a living, reactive world. This was to be powered by a controversial and ambitious technological choice.
The Ghost in the Machine: Did AI Play a Role?
Solomon’s announcement gave no reason for the sudden closure, leaving the gaming community to piece together the puzzle. With no official explanation, speculation has naturally filled the void, and many fans are pointing to the studio's heavy reliance on cutting-edge, but divisive, technology.
Sources familiar with the project's pitch indicated that Burbank was designed to leverage large language models (LLMs). The goal was to allow players to communicate with characters in real-time using natural language, with the AI generating unique responses and driving emergent storylines that would feel genuinely personal. It was a technological leap that promised unparalleled interactivity.
However, integrating experimental LLM technology into a complex game simulation is a monumental task. The technical hurdles are immense, from maintaining coherent character personalities to managing the sheer computational cost. Furthermore, the use of generative AI in creative mediums remains a deeply polarizing topic among gamers, with many expressing skepticism or outright hostility toward its implementation in their favorite franchises. While purely speculative, it's plausible that technical challenges, combined with market uncertainty around AI-driven games, may have contributed to the studio's inability to secure further funding or publisher support.
The Uncertain Future of a Dream
For now, the fate of Burbank and the talented team at Midsummer Studios is uncertain. Solomon’s farewell is a reminder of the brutal reality of game development, where even the most passionate, well-funded, and pedigreed teams can find their stories cut short.
The dream of a "next-gen life sim" that could rival the depth of The Sims or the emergent storytelling of a game like Dwarf Fortress remains just that—a dream. The final, quiet shot of the Burbank video is a ghostly image of what might have been a vibrant world. For now, players and developers alike are left to wonder what stories could have been told, and what led to the silence behind Midsummer Studios' closed doors.
You can read Jake Solomon's full announcement and see the community's reaction on his original post here.
We built a studio, we made a game, and I'm really proud of both. Before we close the doors at Midsummer Studios I'd like to share a glimpse of Burbank, the game we poured our hearts into.
— Jake Solomon (@SolomonJake) February 19, 2026
It's like "Life Sims + The Truman Show," but it's more than that. I believe people are… pic.twitter.com/RuYvDhdEZO