The New Life Simulation Game Burbank was a Mix of The Sims and The Truman Show

Developed by Jake Solomon, a seasoned name in the gaming world, Burbank aimed to go beyond conventional life simulations. Solomon, known for the Civilization and XCOM series, had embarked on a “new dream” after leaving Firaxis. However, the challenging times the industry was going through prevented this dream from becoming a reality.

Burbank Was Going to Bring a Different Approach to Life Simulation

With the closure of Midsummer Studios, founded by Jake Solomon, the Burbank project was also shelved. In a statement, Solomon announced that the studio was closing its doors and that the game they had worked on with passion would no longer be developed. Although early development footage of the game was shared, the project will not be completed.

Conceptually, Burbank was designed to allow players to create their own “television worlds.” Inspired by The Truman Show, the game was based on a simulation system where characters’ lives unfolded like a kind of reality show. Players could create productions in various genres such as sitcoms, crime dramas, science fiction, or medical dramas, shaping the relationships between characters and the flow of the story.

At the same time, characters’ backgrounds, abilities, and personalities could be customized; each episode would progress like a series script. In this respect, Burbank aimed to combine the freedom offered by classic life simulations with a narrative-driven television format. Solomon stated that the game offered special moments that made the characters feel “alive.”

However, the contraction in the industry brought an end to Burbank, like many other projects. The closure of Midsummer Studios means the suspension not only of a game but also of a great creative vision.

Read More: Toy Story 5 Trailer Released: Old Friends Face New Threats