In a poignant turn of events, Jake Solomon, renowned for his work on the XCOM series, has unveiled pre-alpha footage of ‘Burbank’, an ambitious life simulation game that blends ‘The Truman Show’ with generative AI, coinciding with the announcement of his studio Midsummer Studios’ closure. The studio, which emerged in May 2024 with a mission to rejuvenate the life sim genre, is shutting down after a brief but passionate development cycle.
Solomon shared the news on social media, expressing pride in both the studio and the game, stating, ‘We built a studio, we made a game, and I’m really proud of both.’ Burbank is described as a ‘build-your-own-TV-series’ project, where players can craft and manipulate a simulated world, leveraging AI to generate dynamic narratives and environments. This innovative approach aimed to push the boundaries of interactive storytelling, though the studio’s closure underscores the volatile nature of game development, especially for ventures exploring cutting-edge technologies.
The revelation of Burbank’s concept—a fusion of life sim mechanics with meta-commentary on reality and surveillance—has sparked interest in gaming circles, highlighting Solomon’s creative vision even as the studio winds down. The footage showcases a stylized, AI-driven world where characters live out scripted lives, reminiscent of classic sim games but with a modern, procedural twist. This closure serves as a reminder of the risks inherent in pioneering new genres, but also leaves a legacy of innovation that may inspire future developers.
