Former XCOM reboot and The Sims developers have launched a new game developer, Midsummer Studios, and they’re already at work on their debut title.

The new company is led by two decade Firaxis Games veterans Jake Solomon and Will Miller, COO/CFO Nelsie Birch (25 years in financial and operations management), Midsummer Studios launched with $6 million raised from major investors. Transcend Fund led the funding round, joined by Tirta Ventures, Betaworks Ventures, 1Up Ventures, F4 Fund, Krafton, and Day Zero Productions.

Midsummer Studios first title is aiming to revitalize the life sim genre, it’s described as such: a next-gen Life Sim that emphasizes player-driven narratives, allowing communities to share memorable moments that grow out of the creativity of players themselves.

“The best stories in games are written by the players,” said Jake Solomon, CEO and Creative Director of Midsummer Studios. “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.”

Transcend founding partner Shanti Bergel added, “Leading the seed for Midsummer was a natural fit for Transcend. As a Producer on The Sims myself nearly twenty years ago, I am well acquainted with the power that meaningful player-driven stories can unlock. I also have an abiding respect for how hard it is to deliver the alchemy of community, systems design, gameplay, and user generated content necessary to do so. The Midsummer founders are industry veterans with the rare experience and design artistry required to deliver against this massive opportunity. I am delighted to join the board and support their journey to redefine the Life Sim category.”