Jake Solomon

Designer: XCOM and Marvel's Midnight Suns. Next: Emergent Story Generator at Midsummer Studios

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

We built a studio, we made a game, and I'm really proud of both. Before we close the doors at Midsummer Studios I'd like to share a glimpse of Burbank, the game we poured our hearts into.

It's like "Life Sims + The Truman Show," but it's more than that. I believe people are storytellers, and I want them to share whatever stories and characters they can dream up. Burbank let's you do that.

We have moments playing this game where characters come alive in a way we've never experienced. And for an old game developer like me that's special.

What you're about to see is definitely pre-alpha. But this game was a dream of mine, our team made it come true, so watch and dream with us.

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

Our characters use AI for memory, reasoning and speech. That's what let's you create anyone you want and drop them in any story you write. But all of our art is created by our talented artists. We had no interest in replacing *any* developers with AI.

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

We built a studio, we made a game, and I'm really proud of both. Before we close the doors at Midsummer Studios I'd like to share a glimpse of Burbank, the game we poured our hearts into.

It's like "Life Sims + The Truman Show," but it's more than that. I believe people are storytellers, and I want them to share whatever stories and characters they can dream up. Burbank let's you do that.

We have moments playing this game where characters come alive in a way we've never experienced. And for an old game developer like me that's special.

What you're about to see is definitely pre-alpha. But this game was a dream of mine, our team made it come true, so watch and dream with us.

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

Ten years! I can hardly believe it. Thank you to everyone who played (and to those still playing.) Such fond memories of that game, and that team, and that audience.

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

@Officialdevind1 No, but @JWeinhoffer could. But don't hammer him for answers too hard because that was a mighty long time ago.

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

I'm know I'm late, but congrats to @EdBeach23 and the entire @CivGame team on Civ VII. So much hard work and care went into that game, and I wish you guys all the best.

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

@gameinformer Thank you guys for everything

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

To be fair, those are all nice kids but that Civ Baby poops gold.

[Kruzil @Kruzil]

@SolomonJake

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

I AM EXCITE! A great team making a great game, I'm telling you.

[Sid Meier's Civilization VII @CivGame]

Who's ready to make history?

Join us for the CIVILIZATION VII Gameplay Showcase, featuring a 20+ minute deep dive, on August 20!

🗓️ August 20, 2024
🕒 1:30 PM PT
📰 https://t.co/uwHHJ1gQtE

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

In Midnight Suns, I designed the suit recolors you could collect in game. I let my daughters each design a Deadpool palette when he was released, which resulted in these beauties: (Also explains why one is called Unicorn Bling)

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

GLAD MIDSOMMAR.

Got to celebrate Midsummer with my girls and with the incredible team at my new studio @ItsMidsummer.

It's a fitting holiday for us, a celebration of rebirth. We're making something really special here that I can't wait to share with you soon.

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

ME: "O my Lord, I seek humility. How will I learn to remain-"
LORD: "I got you, fam. Log into twitter."

[Aidy Lazar @AidyLazar66656]

@SolomonJake - Worst game I've ever played (stupid visual novel and woke to boot)
- Struts around feeling proud about it instead of being ashamed (you made a turd, dude. Don't be proud)
- Bet you had everything to do with the worst things about X-COM and nothing to do with its best

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

Favorite XCOM trivia bit: Sean Bean voiced a scientist in the intro cinematic for War of the Chosen. And yes, he dies.

(He was in the booth recording VO for Civ 6, we asked him for the favor and he did it. Stand up guy.)

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

I really loved working on this game. I had an incredible team who made it. It is now free, and I'm gone from Firaxis so I get no benefit (nor does anyone, I suppose, it's free) but please give a try if you have a lazy Sunday.

[Epic Games Store @EpicGames]

Marvel's Midnight Suns. FREE this week.

'Nuff said.

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

THIS was a fun one, talking to Danny about all things Midnight Suns, XCOM and our new studio and what we're doing.

[dannyodwyer @dannyodwyer]

🚨NEW PODCAST🕹️

On the latest episode of DEAR DWYERY I talk to @SolomonJake about life after XCOM, the design identity of Marvel's Midnight Suns, his new studio's plans to create a new breed of narrative-driven life simulator - and of course, the Maryland Renaissance Festival...

AVAILABLE WHERE PODCASTS ARE
[episode links below]

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

I love MinnMax, had a lot of fun on this show. Also shared my dream IP game which would definitely end my career if I made it.

[MinnMax @MinnMaxShow]

XCOM's creative director @SolomonJake joins us on the new episode of The MinnMax Show to talk about leaving Firaxis to form @ItsMidsummer, take questions from the community, and rave about Into The Breach from @subsetgames. https://t.co/WL4ftX9Ny9

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

@LordCognito You've been behind some of the best ,most positive, most fun interactions I've had, so I have to thank you again. Keep doin what you're doing and I'm down to join y'all whenever for another chat.

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

Some news.

New studio, new game. Right off the bat, it's going to seem very different from what I've done before. But this is where my passion is: emergent player stories. I want to make a game that you can't play without writing a story.
https://t.co/B2198BsPA4

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

@timwynn_ The absolute best.

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

A behind the scenes of my narrative director and near-brother that my daughters call "Uncle Rocco". This is us beating out the Midnight Suns story in 2020 right before the pandemic. Half in the bag on Sauvignon Blanc, as was customary.

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

@VimesTom Mission threads that let the player choose who to recruit first was an idea VERY early on, but never implemented.

[Jake Solomon @SolomonJake]

The second part to our (LONG) conversation about my time with XCOM and Midnight Suns from a distinctly designer perspective.

[Soren Johnson @SorenJohnson]

Designer Notes 81: Jake Solomon (@SolomonJake), Lead Designer of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, XCOM 2, and Midnight Suns. Part 2!
https://t.co/vSx1wYwP57