The Sims-like boom is real, and even an ex-XCOM dev is going all in

The Sims is about to get even more competition. A new studio co-founded by Jake Solomon, the veteran game designer behind XCOM and Marvel’s Midnight Suns, will challenge Maxis’ enduring and dominant life simulation game series with a new, still-untitled game that focuses on “the drama of modern life.”

Joining Solomon at his new game company Midsummer Studios are co-founder Will Miller (also formerly of Firaxis) and ex-The Sims producer-director Grant Rodiek (aka “SimGuru Grant”). Rodiek was previously game director on Project Rene, Maxis’ in-development follow-up to The Sims 4. At least a half dozen other former Firaxis game developers who worked on the XCOM games and Marvel’s Midnight Suns are also now at Midsummer Studios.

“The best stories in games are written by the players,” Solomon said in a news release. “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.”

Solomon left Firaxis in 2023, after more than two decades at the studio. Shortly after his departure, he expressed his interest in making a life-simulation game.

Midsummer’s game is entering an increasingly crowded field that has been mostly dominated by Electronic Arts’ The Sims franchise. Promising competitors include Life By You, an upcoming life sim from Paradox Interactive that’s being helmed by Rod Humble (Second Life, The Sims 3); Paralives, the highly customizable indie “doll house” life sim; and Palia, a cozy life sim with Stardew Valley vibes that’s currently in beta.

EA and Maxis’ Project Rene (aka The Sims 5) does not have a release window, as developers behind the game say they plan to show off their progress and factor in community input for several years. The Sims 4 launched in 2014 and went free to play in 2022, reaching more than 70 million players over the past decade.

Midsummer Studios has not announced a title, release window, or platforms for its debut life sim.