Veteran creatives from successful gaming franchises have joined forces to launch a new venture called Midsummer Studios. The company’s debut project is a next-gen life sim that focuses on player-driven narratives, allowing gamers to create and share meaningful stories. The project is led by CEO and creative director Jake Solomon, CTO and game director Will Miller, executive producer Grant Rodiek, and COO and CFO Nelsie Birch.
Midsummer Studios has already secured $6 million in funding from major investors in a seed round led by Transcend Fund. The team plans to use this initial finance to expand their studio and hire more creatives. They have already brought on board several former employees from Firaxis, the studio behind popular games such as XCOM and Civilization.
The founders of Midsummer Studios are committed to creating a healthy and happy work environment for their team members. They offer shared equity in the company, as well as unlimited paid time off. This approach to employee well-being is intended to foster creativity and innovation within the studio.
Transcend, a founding partner of the seed investment, believes Midsummer Studios has the potential to redefine the life sim genre. Shanti Bergel, a producer on The Sims, stated that investing in Midsummer was a natural fit for the organization. He praised the founders for their understanding of the gaming space and their ability to transform the genre with their experience and vision.
The partnership between Midsummer Studios and Transcend is just one of many exciting developments in the gaming industry. Transcend has also invested in other gaming companies, such as Brain Jar Games and Gardens with Lightspeed. They are optimistic about the future of their gaming portfolio and are looking forward to making more funding announcements in the coming months.
Overall, Midsummer Studios is poised to make a significant impact on the gaming industry with its innovative approach to game development. By focusing on player-driven narratives and creating a positive work environment for its team members, the company is well-positioned to redefine the life sim genre and attract a wide audience of gamers. The support from investors like Transcend Fund further underscores the potential for success for Midsummer Studios and its debut project.
