Compulsion Games has revealed that South of Midnight will have a runtime of approximately 10 to 12 hours, with the story unfolding over a single in-game day. The game consists of 14 chapters, maintaining a sense of urgency as players experience Hazel’s journey.
Jasmin Roy, Gameplay Director, explained that while the game turned out slightly larger than expected, it still aligns with the studio’s original vision. South of Midnight is a linear experience with exploration elements, taking players through a variety of carefully crafted biomes inspired by the American South.
A 30-minute documentary released last year delved into the world’s design, introducing four key biomes: The Swamps, The Delta, The Appalachians, and a New Orleans-inspired environment. The developers describe the game as a “love letter to the South”, with each area carrying a unique atmosphere and mood.
Despite its relatively short playtime, the game took five years to develop, with most of the work being completed in the last three years. A reverse-engineered 3D world, extensive research, and multiple prototypes contributed to its development process.
South of Midnight marks Compulsion Games’ third title, following We Happy Few and Contrast. It was recently showcased during the Xbox Developer Direct and is set for release on April 8 for PC and Xbox Series X|S. It will also be available day one on Game Pass.
