Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Game developers that have worked on Sid Meier’s “Civilization,” “XCOM” and “The Sims” have launched their own life sim-focused venture, Midsummer Studios, with backing from investors including Trevor Noah’s Day Zero Productions.
Founded by Firaxis Games vets Jake Solomon (creative director) and Will Miller (game director), as well as chief operating officer and chief financial officer Nelsie Birch, Midsummer launches with $6 million raised in seed funding led by Transcend Fund, along with Tirta Ventures, Betaworks Ventures, 1Up Ventures, F4 Fund, Krafton and Day Zero Productions.
The first title the studio is teasing is “a next-gen life sim that emphasizes player-driven narratives, allowing communities to share memorable moments that grow out of the creativity of players themselves.” The new studio’s team includes Maxis Studios vet Grant Rodiek, Solomon, Miller and Birch, along with several alums of Firaxis titles for a team that includes 11 developers total. “We’re at an interesting time as players of life sims,” Solomon said in a statement to Variety. “I thought I looked pretty smart over a year ago when I left my former studio and announced that I was going to make a life sim to compete with the long running (and really only show in town) ‘The Sims.’ Now, there are four or five (seemingly great) competitors being developed.
Our difference is that we’re focused on story. Specifically the story that the players write themselves just by playing the game.
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