Midsummer Studios Shuts Down in Less Than Two Years
Founded in 2024 by XCOM designer Jake Solomon, Midsummer Studios has announced its closure, unable to withstand the increasingly tough competition in the gaming industry. Before reaching its second anniversary, the studio confirmed it was shutting down while also revealing the ambitious project it had been working on.
A Farewell with the Dream Project “Burbank”
Solomon confirmed the closure on social media and shared a preview of “Burbank”, a life simulation game envisioned as a blend of The Sims and The Truman Show. The project aimed to let players create their own characters and place them into stories they had written themselves.
Early alpha footage revealed that characters were supported by generative AI systems for memory, reasoning, and dialogue. The team emphasized that AI was not intended to replace developers but to enrich gameplay. Artistic content, they clarified, was entirely produced by the studio’s creative team.
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.
It’s like “Life Sims + The Truman Show,” but it’s more than that. I believe people are… pic.twitter.com/RuYvDhdEZO
— Jake Solomon (@SolomonJake) February 19, 2026
Founders and Funding
Midsummer Studios was co-founded by Jake Solomon alongside Will Miller and Leslie Birch from Firaxis Games. Backed by approximately $6 million in funding led by Transcend Fund, the studio positioned Burbank as its flagship project.
Industry Challenges
Given the recent wave of closures and restructurings across the industry, Midsummer Studios’ farewell comes as little surprise. Even strong ideas and renowned names cannot guarantee sustainability under current market conditions. For now, Burbank remains an unrealized dream.