via PC Gamer
Compulsion Games' buyout is complete, so now Microsoft won't get a cut if you buy South of Midnight
An Xbox Game Studio no more.
South of Midnight
Released Apr 8, 2025
Rating 73/100
Playtime ~21h
South of Midnight is an action-adventure game developed by Compulsion Games, released in April 2025 on PC and Xbox Series S/X. The title draws inspiration from American Deep South culture and has earned recognition for its storytelling, characters, and setting.
The game's trajectory has shifted dramatically following Compulsion's separation from Xbox during recent studio restructuring. After being spun out as an independent developer, Compulsion quickly moved South of Midnight to self-publishing on Steam, with the studio now listed as its publisher. The game has gained further prominence by winning a Games for Change award in 2026, cementing its position beyond its initial platform release. With independence secured, Compulsion Games has publicly signaled openness to new collaborations across the gaming and entertainment sectors.
Coverage (12)
via PC Gamer
via Rock Paper Shotgun
“We’re going to take things slow": South of Midnight devs now own the rights to all their games again, after quitting Xbox, and are working on a new game
We Happy Few and South of Midnight developers Compulsion Games have announced that they are fully broken up with Microsoft and Xbox, after completing a management buyout. They now once again own the rights to all their own original intellectual properties. Amongst other things, t…
via Com
South Of Midnight Studio Compulsion Games Has Completed Its Buyback From Xbox
As reported by GamesBeat’s Dean Takahashi, Compulsion Games, the developer behind titles such as Contrast, We Happy Few, and South of Midnight, has regained its independence after a management buyout, separating itself from its former parent company, Xbox. It was reported earlier…
via Aftermath
Money Spent On South Of Midnight Now Supports Its Developers, Not Microsoft
“I can confirm we have regained ownership of our IP, and that the publishing rights are transferring back to Compulsion"
via AllKeyShop
South of Midnight Digital Keys Drop Below Official Store Rates
Discover cheaper South of Midnight digital key options on PC and Xbox compared to standard official storefront pricing.
via AllKeyShop
South of Midnight is now self-published on Steam after Compulsion Games cut ties with Microsoft
Compulsion is now self-publishing South of Midnight on Steam following a listing update
via IGN
Xbox's Separation from Compulsion Games Seems Complete as Studio Is Listed as the Publisher of South of Midnight on Steam
Xbox's separation from Compulsion Games – one of four studios it spun out independently during the recent Xbox "reset" amidst thousands of layoffs – appears to be complete, as the developer itself is now listed as the publisher of 2025's award-winning South of Midnight on Steam i…
via GameSpot
Ignore Your Growing Backlog–It’s Time To Play South Of Midnight On Steam
Look, it's no surprise to anyone for me to admit that I like South of Midnight . I've written about it being a love letter to the American Deep South , noted how it was one of the best Xbox games of 2025 , and talked about how much the game's story, characters, and setting have m…
via Cgmagonline
South of Midnight takes home top award at Games for Change 2026
Just over a month ago, nonprofit organisation Games for Change shared the full list of categories and nominees for the 2026 awards ceremony it was hosting in New York on July 21. This ceremony has just come to a close, meaning we now know the various trophy winners across the 14…
via Tech4Gamers
South Of Midnight Wins GOTY Award After Compulsion Separates From Xbox
South of Midnight, developed by Compulsion Games, has won GOTY at the Games for Change festival held in New York, weeks after leaving Xbox. South Of Midnight Wins GOTY Award After Compulsion Separates From Xbox is a post from Tech4Gamers - All About Technology And Gaming News
via PC Gamer
One week after going independent in the Xbox bloodbath, South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games is looking for work
Compulsion says it's open to working with studios "across the games and entertainment industry."
South Of Midnight Dev Seeking New Collabs Following Xbox Split
It's now an independent developer. South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games was one of the teams let go during Xbox's recent layoffs , and now, just a week later, it's put out the call for collaborations with other studios. In a message on its official LinkedIn page , the Mon…