On Steam, South of Midnight‘s new publisher is now listed as Compulsion Games. The studio was spun off from Xbox last month as a part of the company’s massive reset, one that has caused thousands of people, including some Compulsion staff, to lose their jobs. But amidst that devastation, one tiny silver lining is that Compulsion Games now holds all rights to South of Midnight and any proceeds from a purchase go to it now, not Xbox.
Throughout the life of this game since its launch last year, I have been one of the game’s loudest fans. It’s a true-blue Southern Gothic African American love letter that felt like home even though I grew up in the Midwest. That game reminded me of my country-ass uncle, who spoke with a southern accent even though he lived in Gary, Indiana. He would take us fishing, catching catfish as big as, well, Catfish, who guides the protagonist Hazel throughout the game. There are so many little things in this game that are just beautiful, little whispers you can hear if you grew up Black with praying grandmothers and moms who liked Black art. But it’s also an accessible game for everyone, an introduction to Southern culture that’ll resonate with anyone who plays it.
And now, if you had any previous hangups about playing it, those roadblocks are gone. Give it a shot.