Midsummer Studios, a new venture founded by veteran creatives behind popular gaming franchises such as XCOM, Midnight Suns, The Sims, and Sid Meier’s Civilization, has announced plans to revolutionize the gaming genre with a next-gen life simulation game. CEO and creative director Jake Solomon, CTO and game director Will Miller, Executive producer Grant Rodiek, and Chief operating and financial officer Nelsie Birch make up the core team behind the company’s debut project.
The upcoming life sim game will focus on player-driven narratives, allowing gamers to create memorable stories and share them with others using the tools provided in the game. Solomon, who spent over two decades at Firaxis Games working on successful titles like XCOM and Midnight Suns, expressed his passion for creating meaningful tales in the game that highlight the drama of modern life. The project, while still shrouded in mystery, has ignited excitement among fans since Solomon announced his departure from Firaxis in February 2023.
Midsummer Studios has secured $6 million in funding from major investors, including Transcend Fund, Tirta Ventures, Betaworks Ventures, F4 Fund, Krafton, and Day Zero Productions. This seed round will allow the studio to expand its team and continue development on the new game. The company has already recruited several creatives from Firaxis to join the project, bringing in experienced talent like Russell Aasland, Todd Broadwater, Kevin Bradley, Ram Kaundinya, Ryan Meier, and Ben Kramer.
The founders of Midsummer Studios are committed to creating a healthy and happy work environment for their team members, offering shared equity in the company and unlimited paid time off. Shanti Bergel, founding partner at Transcend and a producer on The Sims, believes that investing in Midsummer was a natural fit for his organization. Bergel emphasized the potential of Midsummer’s unique knowledge and experience in transforming the life sim genre, stating that the founders possess the ambition and vision required to redefine the multibillion-dollar category.
Transcend Fund has a track record of partnering with credible entrepreneurs who are passionate about making a significant impact in the gaming industry. Along with their recent investment in Midsummer Studios, the organization has supported other gaming companies like Brain Jar Games and Gardens with Lightspeed. Bergel hinted at more exciting funding announcements in the gaming portfolio in the near future, underscoring their commitment to supporting innovative and transformative projects in the industry.
