It’s Time to Dive into South of Midnight!

On Steam, South of Midnight has a new publisher: Compulsion Games. This studio was spun off from Xbox last month as part of a significant company overhaul, which unfortunately led to thousands of job losses, including some within Compulsion. However, a small silver lining in this situation is that Compulsion Games now owns all rights to South of Midnight, meaning any sales from the game directly benefit them instead of Xbox.

Since its launch last year, I’ve been one of the game’s biggest advocates. It’s a heartfelt Southern Gothic tribute that resonates deeply, even for someone like me who grew up in the Midwest. The game evokes memories of my uncle, who, despite living in Gary, Indiana, spoke with a Southern drawl. He would take us fishing, reeling in catfish as large as the one that guides the protagonist, Hazel. The game is filled with beautiful, subtle details that speak to the experience of growing up Black, surrounded by praying grandmothers and mothers who cherished Black art. Yet, it’s also an inviting experience for everyone, serving as a gateway to Southern culture that can connect with any player.

So, if you had any reservations about diving into this game, those concerns are now behind you. Give it a try!