How South of Midnight Brought the Deep South’s Secrets to Life Like Never Before

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More recently, in April, South of Midnight was introduced by Compulsion Games. This newest release takes players to the swamps and hidden alleys of the Deep American South, an area seldom featured in gaming. By blending its representation of the location with a unique stop-motion aesthetic and a narrative rooted in local folklore, history, and Gothic elements, South of Midnight presents a one-of-a-kind and distinctive depiction of the region.

Guillaume Provost, Studio Head at Compulsion, spoke with Game Rant about the meticulous process behind crafting the world of South of Midnight. He discussed their excursions to the southern regions for data collection and inspiration, which they incorporated into the game. Additionally, he mentioned collaborating with local artists who contributed unique insights and helped shape the game’s overall concept.

South of Midnight is currently available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

How Compulsion Games Realized South of Midnight’s Deep Southern Setting

South of Midnight’s Regional Sensibilities Were Extensively Researched

Although some team members were natives of the region, Compulsion opted to collaborate with local writers, musicians, and artists for a genuine and cohesive feel. Once the decision was made about South of Midnight‘s setting, Provost shared stories of the team’s trips to the South and how they incorporated their experiences into the storyline and design.

On my gaming adventures, I ventured into two distinct regions – Louisiana and Appalachia. Each location had its unique vibe that left an indelible impression on me. From the iconic bottle tree, reminiscent of our logo, to the vividly blue-painted porches, every sight was a testament to these areas’ individuality. I found myself immersed in the rhythm of daily life, trying to discern if the local myths and folktales echoed authentically within these spaces.

Regarding how South of Midnight portrayed the location, its inhabitants, and their shared past, Provost observed that art director Whitney Clayton focused on highlighting the most distinctive aspects of these places, amplifying them significantly to create a unique blend. This blend represents what we believe are the factors that make this region captivating.

How South of Midnight Strove to Depict the South for All Audiences

The Provost explained that the stories in “South of Midnight” primarily originate from studying folktales and attempting to link them with mythical beings. By doing so, he aimed to construct a plausible history for these creatures and offer an insight into how they evolved into their current forms. In certain instances, he also sought to portray them as having human characteristics.

To ensure our narrative is effective, it should serve two key purposes:

1. For individuals originating from the region, it’s crucial that our portrayal of the material, including the area, characters, and storylines, feels authentic and well-researched, as if we have truly captured the essence of their experiences.

2. Simultaneously, for those unfamiliar with the culture, our narrative should provide a captivating glimpse into an unknown world, revealing the intricate details that make this space unique and distinct from others.

The Provost continued by expressing that “our team members, who were actors, writers, musicians, among others, played a significant role in immersing us in the culture and accurately portraying it.” With South of Midnight having garnered over 1 million players since its launch, it appears that their diligent efforts to authentically depict the region and its captivating lore have indeed proven successful.

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2025-05-03 13:24