Midsummer Studios’ Life Simulation Game vs. Sims 5 (Rene)?
Jake Solomon is a gaming industry veteran responsible for Marvel's Midnight Suns and the modern XCOM franchise. In March 2023, it was reported that he left 2K's Firaxis studio in February after 23 years. (XCOM’s Jake Solomon is forming a new studio and ‘likely won’t make a turn-based game’) He stated: XCOM director said he would likely make a simulation title, rather than another turn-based strategy game. “My intention, if anybody gives me the funding for it, is to open my own studio locally and make a new kind of game,” he said. “I can’t move too far away from what my experience is. I’m a creative director, but the truth is I’m actually a very in-the-weeds system designer. “I make games as a creative director but I actually end up designing a lot of the systems for the games. Even on Midnight Suns, I had some amazing designers but I ended up designing individual heroes, enemies and their abilities… “System design is important to me, so I want to make a systems-based game. I think it won’t be turn-based strategy… I want to make something that’s more of a life simulator or a simulation-style game. That’s the plan.” In December 2023, Rock Paper Shotgun reported a new interview with Jake Solomon ("Jake Solomon uncut: here's our post-Firaxis GDC interview in full") Some excerpts: You mentioned that you were quite excited by the idea of a life sim game. What life sims have you played over the years? What is it about them that you enjoy? There's a number of things that appeal. Without talking specifically about what it is I want to do, I think that the appeal of life sims is kind of manifold, but I think that, one, it's just life in miniature, right? From model train sets to doll houses to army men, there's something about life in miniature that I think is just naturally appealing. And I think the power of having the life that you want? You think like, 'Oh my gosh, simulating life, like, I already have a life and that feels like enough work!' But being able to have a different life and a life you want, I think it's really, really appealing. Is it those stories that emerge from within the simulation that get you fired up? Yeah, I think that everything feels original, there's a lot of procedural-ness to it, right? And then everything feels original to you because it's procedural. And when it feels original, it feels authentic. And it feels shareable. Even if it's just turning to your partner and saying, 'You're never going to believe what just happened!' Whether it's Dwarf Fortress, or whether it's The Sims or whatever it is, simulation can create some really fun experiences. Now that you're looking more towards the live sim genre, has there been a lot of iteration in it in from your point of view, or is there still room to do something new? Well, Paradox and Ron Humble just did a really neat . I mean, I thought that that take on that straight up life sim was unique. It's interesting to look at. There's a lot of village simulations, right? So I don't know if it's pejorative yet but cosy games, right? There's a sim-ish nature to that even down to Stardew and things like that. And then to see something like Dwarf Fortress go from ASCII to actual graphics and then seeing how popular that is, I think that there's been iteration. But definitely to me, I see an opportunity. As a designer, I see a lot of ways that I'd love to jump in and have my own take on this. SimmerErin recently published a video on the news: What do you think? Have you played any of his games? Personally, I find his background intriguing. I like that he stated that he's been focused on systems-building; this can lend itself to the life simulation genre. In the Sims series, I've always enjoyed in-depth gameplay systems. [UPDATE] Grant Rodiek (formerly SimGuruGrant is joining game) The Sims-like boom is real, and even an ex-XCOM dev is going all in Details about funding and how it will be different from The Sims as well as use of AI agents for NPCs 'Civilization,' 'XCOM' and 'The Sims' Vets Launch Game Developer Midsummer Studios With Funding From Trevor Noah's Day Zero Productions
The future of the Sims
Reading the blog post is says they were making new games or basically no more one linear game.Meaning I think we're going to have bunch of different sims games for all sorts of players. They might reboot mysims or make better A more complex basegame they might make something like the sims 3 in the future.
Thinking outside the Dollhouse
Like players, I have seen the Sims games grow over the years. Got to play an early version before they publicy sold the game; tester. But I've had recent thoughts this year 🤔💡 Sims 4 has the programming abilities to stay around for quite a long time, better than most pc games. As for a newer Sims like version, I think it would be best to think more outside of the Dollhouse. Be more focused on completing goals/tasks so to speak. Kind of like completing a themed Storyline. Some can be mystery based, science, adventures, etc. And if there could ever be some VR escape room like versions, I mean it would be a risk because the audience for such VR games still seems lower than I had thought it would be by this year, but maybe VR games will take off in some years when their affordability is more favorable. Since 2017 or 2018 I've been thinking about how a different version to the Sims family could come around. And I think it's about time to step away from the Dollhouse and be more goal orientated. At least, these are just my opinions. I'd love to hear from fellow long time Sims family folk. 😊
Is project rene a mobile game?
Will all the profits made from micro transactions from the mobile game be used to improve sims 4? For example being able to actually handle a 4 floor 64x64 lot without lagging out so much it’s unplayable….. … being able to actually play and use the packs which are broken and glitchy like high school , dine out , for rent etc. …. I’ve stopped buying packs cause what’s the point if it’s broken…? Will you be able to build houses exactly like you can in sims 4 or will it just be a basic house maker like My Sims? What similarities will it have from sims 4 or would it just be focused on being multiplayer which literally no one asked for …? The gallery is all the multiplayer experience we need …. if I wanted to play online with my friends or other people I would play cod? Is this just a kids game aimed at a completely different audience than the average sims player? Like a club penguin/franktown rocks/ habbo hotel/ roblox/ moshi monsters kind of game? What would the usp even be if you couldn’t even fully customise your own house ? which is the 1 thing sims does best…. I thought Roblox already had monopoly over that side of the gaming industry? Since roblox is the only remaining game of that genre… they already have too much choice for different gameplay …. Is it just going to be exactly like the sims mobile with worse graphics and multiplayer…? Would you even be able to drive in the game ? And move your player around like in Roblox ? (Still not a usp btw) If your target audience is Roblox users what about it would be better?
EA please do this!!!!! I beg you! 20 year simmer here
Can we please bring back a game for our new generation similar to the Sims to2castaway? I feel like it was very engaging and enjoyable never bored. Also please can we have an update that allows us to play the Sims on the consoles like we used to in the Sims two in Sims, three where our controller stick was our full controller, our SIM, or we could choose to turn it off to the original settings of the PC platform version where you just click on everything for their actions? And there’s something about the Sims four that makes the console like slower. Is there a way for you to do an update to switch the graphics and CPU to like a slower version like you can on the computer or laptop? There’s like a laptop version you can turn it on and off. Is it possible to add that to the console versions to adapted to console if you have like a older one or a newer one? Also, another thing I just thought of remember when we had the Katy Perry expansion pack for the PC is there a way to get theme packs like that again? and what are your ideas moving forward -cs
Project NeVer?
Tinfoil hat/over think time I know some folks wont understand this, but its a lighthearted joke. Its not to taken seriously Project Rene otherwise know as Sims 5. Maybe Sims 5 otherwise known as Sims V? Possibly Rene?+Sims V? --------- ----------- Whats missing? The letter V +Add sims 5/V to Rene = project neVer.😎+ Meaning Sims 5/V is Project NeVer gonna happen. EA knew all along sims5 was a neVer gonna happen and all we have is Project NeVer.
