HUNT VALLEY, Maryland, May 14, 2024 – A new era in life simulation gaming is on the horizon as a team of seasoned developers behind iconic titles such as Sid Meier's Civilization, XCOM, and The Sims announce the launch of Midsummer Studios. The new studio, founded by industry veterans Jake Solomon, Will Miller, and Nelsie Birch, with former Maxis Director Grant Rodiek, aims to revitalize the Life Sim genre with an innovative new game.
Midsummer Studios, launched with an impressive $6 million in funding from major investors, promises to bring a fresh and player-centric approach to life simulation games. The founding team includes:
Jake Solomon, CEO, and Creative Director, is known for his work as Designer and Director of the XCOM franchise and Marvel's Midnight Suns during his 23 years at Firaxis Games. Will Miller, Game Director, with 16 years at Firaxis Games as Lead Designer of Civilization: Beyond Earth and Lead Engineer on Marvel's Midnight Suns. Nelsie Birch, COO/CFO, brings 25 years of experience in financial and operations management. Grant Rodiek, adding his 18-year experience with Maxis Studios as a Producer and Director on The Sims.
The co-founders shared their vision for Midsummer Studios' debut project: a next-gen Life Sim game that emphasizes player-driven narratives. This innovative title will empower players to create and share meaningful stories through gameplay, fostering a vibrant and interactive community.
"The best stories in games are written by the players," said Jake Solomon. "At Midsummer, we're making a life sim focused on the drama of modern life, where our players will write meaningful stories just by playing, and then share those stories with the world."
Shanti Bergel, Founding Partner at Transcend, led the seed funding round and expressed his enthusiasm for the project. "As a Producer on The Sims nearly twenty years ago, I am well acquainted with the power that meaningful player-driven stories can unlock. The Midsummer founders are industry veterans with the rare experience and design artistry required to deliver against this massive opportunity. I am delighted to join the board and support their journey to redefine the Life Sim category."
Building a Collaborative and Sustainable Studio
Midsummer Studios is committed to fostering a healthy work environment where every team member's voice is heard. The studio offers shared equity and unlimited paid time off to promote a balanced and motivated workforce. This collaborative ethos is designed to ensure the happiness and well-being of their team as they develop groundbreaking games.
As development progresses, the Midsummer Studio team is eager to share more details about their upcoming Life Sim title. To stay updated on the latest news and announcements, follow Midsummer Studios on social media and visit their official website:
is an independent game development company headquartered in Hunt Valley, MD, founded by a team of accomplished developers behind legendary game franchises like Civilization, XCOM, and The Sims. Passionate about creating the next generation of life sim games, Midsummer Studios values collaboration and work/life balance, offering equity to all employees as a testament to their shared success.
Transcend is a top-performing early-stage venture capital firm that partners with the boldest founders in the industry to collaboratively build the future of interactive entertainment. Founded in San Francisco by gaming veterans, the Transcend portfolio features a preeminent group of high-growth digital entertainment companies around the world.
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