• Jake Solomon, the lead designer of XCOM, has left Firaxis Games to co-found a new studio called Roundhouse Studios. He discusses the reasons behind his departure, citing a desire to work on more personal projects and have more creative control. Solomon also reflects on the challenges he faced during the development of Midnight Suns, acknowledging that the game did not meet expectations and that he learned valuable lessons from the experience.

• In the interview, Solomon delves into the decision-making process behind Midnight Suns, explaining that the game was intended to be a more character-driven and narrative-focused experience compared to the XCOM series. However, he acknowledges that the team struggled to strike the right balance between the tactical combat and the storytelling elements, leading to a mixed reception from players.

• Solomon also discusses his plans for Roundhouse Studios, emphasizing his desire to create games that are more personal and reflect his own creative vision. He expresses excitement about the opportunity to work on new projects with a smaller, more agile team, and hints at the possibility of revisiting the XCOM franchise in the future, but with a fresh perspective and approach.