XCOM Designer Confirms Midsummer Studios Closure | Game Cancels Life Sim Burbank
A significant blow struck the gaming industry today as Jake Solomon, famed for his work on XCOM, announced the shutdown of Midsummer Studios and the cancellation of their life simulation title, Burbank. The studio could not secure the necessary funding to continue operations.
A Heartfelt Departure
In a passionate statement, Solomon reflected on the team's achievements, saying, "We built a studio, we made a game, and I'm really proud of both." He provided insights into Burbank, a game designed to intertwine life simulation with storytelling, reminiscent of The Truman Show. "Burbank lets you do that. We have moments where characters come alive in a way we’ve never experienced," he explained.
Funding Struggles and Market Reaction
The closure stems directly from funding issues. Despite raising $6 million since its establishment in 2024, financial constraints were overwhelming. Forum discussions highlighted disappointment over the lack of support for innovative life simulation games.
New comments reveal gamers reminiscing about Solomon's success with XCOM, expressing a desire for a new installment. One person remarked, "I want an XCOM 3 so bad," emphasizing the lingering nostalgia and high expectations from fans. Another user praised the original XCOM remake, stating, "There will never be a greater remake than what Jake and Firaxis did with XCOM."
But not all sentiments were positive. Some noted issues with modern game designs, describing certain titles as lacking depth: "Pretty graphics and uhhh… that’s it. It doesn’t do anything revolutionary." This reflects skepticism about the life sim genre's innovation moving forward.
Community Sentiment
Three themes emerged in community conversations regarding Midsummer Studios' closure:
Desire for New Titles: Players are yearning for fresh competition in the life simulation realm, especially against established titles.
Concerns Over Development Viability: Many questioned the financial aspects of game development, with comments indicating that $6 million is insufficient for a robust gaming experience.
Reflections on Historical Successes: Gamers shared fond memories of games created by Solomon, indicating a strong connection to his past works and a wish for further innovations.
"Man, that sucks. Jake Solomon has real talent," reflected one commenter, underlining the emotional impact of the studio's closure.
Key Insights
⚠️ Midsummer Studios faced insurmountable funding obstacles despite early successes.
🎮 Calls for new life sim competition are prominent, revealing gaps in the current market.
📉 Financial struggles in game development often stifle creativity, as noted by community feedback.
As the gaming community processes the fallout from Midsummer's closure, the game Burbank serves as a reminder of what could have been. Will other developers rise to fill the gap and explore new concepts in life simulation? Only time will tell.