Jake Solomon, best known for his work on XCOM, revealed a glimpse of Burbank — a life-sim that frames player-made stories like a reality TV show — at the same time his indie studio announced it will be closing. The short pre-alpha clip highlights procedural characters and heavy use of generative AI as the team says goodbye after a brief run.

  • Midsummer Studios launched in May 2024 with ambitions to refresh the life-sim genre but is now winding down operations.
  • Burbank is pitched as a hybrid of life simulation and Truman Show–style spectacle, letting players craft serialized TV experiences.
  • The preview shown by Solomon is pre-alpha footage emphasizing generative AI systems driving characters and narrative moments.
  • Solomon framed the reveal as a final look at the project he and the small team developed, expressing pride in what they accomplished despite the studio’s closure.

Source: Rock Paper Shotgun

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