Midsummer Studios, the independent developer founded by Jake Solomon, has officially closed its doors less than two years after first opening.
The shutdown was confirmed by Solomon himself in a social media post, where he reflected on the short-lived studio’s journey and shared an unexpected parting gift: a first look at an unreleased life simulation game titled Burbank.
“We built a studio, we made a game, and I’m really proud of both,” Solomon wrote. “This game was a dream of mine, our team made it come true, so watch and dream with us.”
It’s a bittersweet end for a studio that launched with strong pedigree, significant funding, and a clear creative vision.
A Life Sim Inspired by The Sims – and The Truman Show
Burbank was described as a blend of The Sims and The Truman Show a life simulator wrapped in a meta-narrative about constructed realities.
According to Solomon, the idea was to let players create anyone they could imagine and drop them into fully authored stories. Unlike traditional life sims, Burbank leaned into narrative experimentation, playing with the concept of a character existing inside a kind of artificial “show.”
The pre-alpha footage shared alongside the announcement showcased stylized suburban environments and characters interacting dynamically in what appeared to be player-authored scenarios.
While the project never reached a public release, Solomon made it clear the team had poured significant effort into building both the game and the studio behind it.
AI Was Used – But Not How You Think
Shortly after sharing the footage, Solomon clarified that generative AI was used in the trailer specifically for the characters.
“Our characters use AI for memory, reasoning and speech,” he explained. “That’s what lets you create anyone you want and drop them in any story you write.”
However, he was equally direct in addressing potential concerns around developer displacement.
“All of our art is created by our talented artists. We had no interest in replacing any developers with AI.”
According to Solomon, AI was implemented as a systemic design tool powering character behaviour and dialogue flexibility rather than replacing creative staff. In other words, it was meant to expand player freedom, not reduce headcount.
Given the broader industry debate around generative AI in development, that clarification feels intentional.
A Studio With Strong Roots – and Strong Backing
Midsummer Studios launched in 2024 with Solomon partnering alongside Will Miller, a former lead designer at Firaxis Games, and Leslie Birch. The trio set out to build a studio focused on emergent storytelling and player-driven narrative systems.
The company debuted with $6 million in funding. Investment was led by Transcend Fund, with participation from Tirta Ventures, Betaworks Ventures, 1 Up Ventures, F4 Fund, Krafton, and Day Zero Productions.
At the time, expectations were high. Solomon’s reputation as the creative force behind modern XCOM entries had earned him credibility within strategy and systems-driven design circles.
But in today’s development climate where funding is tighter, timelines are longer, and player acquisition costs are rising even experienced teams aren’t immune to closure.
Less than two years after its formation, Midsummer is now part of a growing list of short-lived studios unable to cross the finish line.
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A Reflection of a Tough Industry Moment
The closure underscores how volatile the current games industry remains. Over the past two years, layoffs and studio shutdowns have affected teams across AAA and indie spaces alike.
Midsummer’s situation is particularly notable because it wasn’t struggling in silence it was building something ambitious, experimental, and arguably ahead of its time. A life sim that leans heavily into AI-powered characters could have represented a meaningful step forward in emergent storytelling.
Instead, Burbank now exists as a glimpse of what might have been.
Still, Solomon’s tone in announcing the closure wasn’t one of regret. It was reflective even proud.
The team built a studio.
They built a game.
And even if players never get to experience Burbank firsthand, its concept offers a window into the kinds of risks developers are still willing to take.
For now, the future of the project and of Solomon himself remains unknown.
But if there’s one takeaway from this brief chapter, it’s this: even in a shrinking industry, creative ambition hasn’t disappeared.
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