Jake Solomon is synonymous with turn-based strategy; as a graphics programmer at Firaxis, Solomon was the first to pitch "XCOM," which, years later, sparked a renaissance in squad tactics when it launched in 2012. Last month, following news that "Midnight Suns" was not as much of a hit as publisher 2K had hoped, Solomon announced that he was leaving the company (opens in new tab) where he had worked for more than 20 years.

Speaking to Simon Parkin on the "My Perfect Console" podcast (opens in new tab), Solomon explained what prompted such a big change and what he plans to do now that he is a free agent.

One of the first games Solomon played was "Silent Service," a submarine sim that predated the days when Sid Meier's name was sprinkled throughout the game. So when he decided to enter the industry, the only place he ended up interviewing was Phylaxis. And Meyer was a major influence on his career.

"I grew up under [Meyer] and he taught me everything. Everything I know as a designer I modeled after him." That's why it was so hard for him to leave. Talking to Sid was the hardest part."

Midnight Suns was never a smash hit like XCOM, but it was still a critical success, being named PC Gamer's GOTY runner-up (open in new tab). And, of course, XCOM remains utterly beloved. But it's time to move on. 'We're going to the top,' he said. He said, "We've got to get to the top.

Shortly after the release of Midnight Suns, Solomon was thinking about his next project. He said, "I'm thinking of making another turn-based strategy game, is that exciting?" And I realized that I wasn't that excited about doing another turn-based strategy game.

Realizing that he wasn't excited about the idea of making another turn-based strategy game, he began to consider other options. He said, "There are other things that excite me as a designer, and the idea of starting something new was really exciting. And I realized that now, with the company changing, was my chance to consider that maybe I should change"

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Even as he contemplated parting ways with Firaxis, Meyer was an inspiration. He had founded multiple companies, and Solomon was excited about the idea of doing the same. He had founded several companies, and Solomon was excited by the idea of doing the same."

Solomon is still thinking about it, but says, "I'm going to open my own studio in my hometown [Baltimore] and create a new type of game." He is currently looking for funding, and while this future studio does not even have a name yet, he already has an idea of what that first game will be.

Despite being a creative director, Solomon still considers himself a "pioneering systems designer" and was still responsible for "designing individual heroes, enemies and their abilities" in Midnight Suns. Systems design remains important to him, "so I want to make some sort of systems-based game." But it doesn't seem to be like XCOM. I don't think it will be a turn-based strategy," he said. I want to make a game that's a little more life-simulator, simulation style.

This is not a complete surprise, however; Midnight Suns is full of stunning turn-based brawls, but a significant amount of time is spent building platonic relationships and delving into the lives of superheroes. It's a social sim, but the system is dense. So it's not a million miles away from what Solomon is trying to do now.

It's a shame that Firaxis lost such an important member of its team, but I'm very excited to see what Solomon will do with his own studio. In the meantime, listen to his My Perfect Console (opens in new tab) episode.