As planned, Compulsion Games and Xbox took advantage of this day to broadcast a documentary on South of Midnight, an opportunity to learn a lot about the game, but also to enjoy extracts of completely new gameplay.
Free South of Midnight Documentary Now Available
Compulsion Games recalls that South of Midnight stands out for its immersive approach and its desire to immerse players in a world inspired by the folklore and legends of the American South. By exploring iconic locations like the Swamps, Appalachia and New Orleans, the game draws on the region's special atmosphere. The main character, Hazel, a young woman with magical powers, traverses these mystical landscapes while confronting creatures inspired by local myths and legends. The process of creating this universe was greatly influenced by research into Southern folklore, with stories about survival, fear and facing the unknown.
The development team worked closely with folklore experts like Donna Washington, a renowned storyteller, to immerse creators in the essence of Southern Gothic stories. This immersion created a world where magic and magical realism intertwine, with creatures that often symbolize dark aspects of humanity, such as fear, guilt or suffering. The landscapes themselves, like the ruined buildings or the lush forests, play a key role in the construction of this universe as “characters” in their own right.
Hazel, as a Weaver, is at the center of the game. She uses her powers to heal and understand the creatures she encounters, but also to confront darker entities. His journey is marked by the discovery of his abilities and the understanding of his role in a world where magic is omnipresent. The game's animation, inspired by stop-motion technique, adds an extra dimension to this journey, with minute details that reinforce the atmosphere of the game and the interaction between Hazel and her environment.
South of Midnight is a game that is both a tribute to the American South and a reflection on universal themes like empathy, healing and acceptance of differences. The soundtrack, carefully crafted by Olivier Derivière, is inspired by the sounds of the South, mixing traditional instruments and modern elements to create a musical experience that evolves with the action of the game.
We'll let you discover this long documentary for yourself, although the subtitles are not available in French. South of Midnight will be available sometime in 2025 on Xbox Series X|S and PC. It will integrate Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming upon launch.
Compulsion Games unveils a Collector's box
Compulsion Games also unveiled a collector's box set entitled “The Art & Music of South of Midnight”, developed in collaboration with Dutch design studio Cook and Becker. This box set highlights the game's unique art style and includes a 160-page art book, with gold details and gold edges, as well as a two-LP vinyl containing the game's complete soundtrack, featured in an elegant gatefold format. All of these are accompanied by original artwork and designs from the production of South of Midnight.
The box set goes even further by expanding the universe of the main character, Hazel, with a comic book by award-winning artist Rob Guillory, metal artwork, as well as a refrigerator magnet inspired by the game, representing an alligator and a flat-bottomed boat. Please note that this box set does not include a copy of the game itself. “The Art & Music of South of Midnight” is now available for pre-order through Cook and Becker starting today.
Pre-order the Collector’s Box
