XCOM Designer Shows Off Canceled AI-Fueled Life Sim After Abruptly Shutting Down Studio
Kotaku
by Jen LennonFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
**Midsummer Studios Closes Doors, Leaving Life-Sim Project Burbank Unreleased**
In a surprising turn of events, Midsummer Studios has shut down abruptly, leaving its highly anticipated AI-driven life simulation game, *Burbank*, unreleased. Known for their work on the acclaimed *XCOM* series, the studio had been developing *Burbank* as their next project, blending narrative storytelling with artificial intelligence to create a unique gaming experience. The sudden closure has left fans and industry insiders alike wondering what could have been, marking another chapter in the challenging landscape of indie game development.
**Context and Challenges Ahead**
Midsummer Studios was founded by Jake Soloman, the designer behind *XCOM: Enemy Unknown*, who brought a fresh perspective to strategy gaming. *Burbank* was their ambitious attempt to push boundaries with an AI-powered life simulation set in a modern-day city. The game promised to offer a dynamic and interactive experience, where
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Originally published on Kotaku on 2/19/2026