It's a sad day for gamers and developers alike: Midsummer Studios, the ambitious team behind a highly anticipated next-gen life simulation game, is closing its doors. Founded in May 2024 by industry veterans who brought us iconic titles like Sid Meier’s Civilization, XCOM, and The Sims, the studio had promised something truly innovative. But here's where it gets heartbreaking—just as they were poised to make waves, co-founder and creative director Jake Solomon announced their shutdown.
In a heartfelt message, Solomon reflected, “We built a studio, we made a game, and I’m incredibly proud of both. Before we say goodbye, I want to share a glimpse of *Burbank, the project we poured our hearts into.”*
Burbank, the studio’s passion project, was described as a blend of “Life Sims meets *The Truman Show, but so much more.”* And this is the part most people miss—Solomon envisioned it as a platform for players to become storytellers, crafting characters and narratives in ways that felt unprecedented. “We had moments where characters came alive in a way I’ve never seen before,” he shared. “For someone who’s been in this industry as long as I have, that’s truly special.”
But here’s where it gets controversial: Was the gaming world ready for a life simulation that pushed the boundaries of storytelling and player agency? Or did Midsummer Studios simply arrive too early with an idea too bold for its time?
Below, you can watch the pre-alpha footage of Burbank—a tantalizing glimpse of what could have been.
Pre-Alpha Footage
As we bid farewell to Midsummer Studios, it leaves us with a thought-provoking question: What does it take for a groundbreaking idea to succeed in an industry that often favors the familiar? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Burbank was ahead of its time, or was there something more at play?
Watch the footage below and decide for yourself.
