Nearly a month after its release, South of Midnight, the latest narrative-driven action-adventure game from Compulsion Games, has surpassed one million players, according to studio CEO Guillaume Provost in a recent interview with Game Rant. The milestone reflects strong engagement with the title, particularly through its availability on Xbox Game Pass, where it was accessible from day one.

While the game’s concurrent player count on Steam remains modest, user feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The PC version boasts a 94% positive rating based on nearly 2,000 reviews — a testament to the game’s distinct artistic vision and storytelling.

Game Pass: Primary Driver of Reach

Compulsion Games, a Microsoft-owned studio known for its 2018 dystopian hit We Happy Few, continues to occupy a niche within the Xbox Game Studios portfolio, focused on creative risk-taking rather than blockbuster scale. Provost acknowledged the company’s strategic positioning:

“Our role [within Xbox Game Studios] isn’t to deliver blockbuster titles like Call of Duty, but rather to craft unique games that stand apart and broaden the portfolio.”

SteamDB and user data suggest that the vast majority of South of Midnight’s audience has accessed the title through subscription-based models, particularly Xbox Game Pass. This mirrors broader industry trends, where platform exclusivity and subscription availability drive player acquisition — especially for mid-budget, creatively ambitious projects.

What Resonated With Players

Despite limited mainstream buzz, South of Midnight has received consistent praise for its audiovisual presentation and thematic direction. Based on user reviews and press coverage, the following elements have emerged as the game’s strengths:

• Visual design: Stylized, painterly visuals that differentiate it from genre peers
• Setting and story: A rich, Southern Gothic-inspired world and narrative arc
• Soundtrack: Original compositions and ambient soundscapes praised by users
• Localization: Full text support for multiple regions, including Russian

However, the game has not been without technical criticisms. Some players have pointed to:

• Unresponsive platforming controls
• Occasional micro-stuttering
• Combat balance issues

These drawbacks, while noted, have not significantly affected overall user satisfaction, particularly among Game Pass players who accessed the title at no additional cost.

A Modest Launch, But Strategic Success

South of Midnight is available on Xbox Series X|S and PC (via Steam and Microsoft Store). Its first-month performance underscores a growing model for success among smaller first-party studios: lean development budgets, a creative pitch, and immediate Game Pass distribution.

The case of South of Midnight demonstrates how titles that may not generate blockbuster sales can still find an audience and critical acclaim when paired with the right distribution model. For Compulsion Games, this may prove to be a pivotal step in solidifying its creative identity under the Xbox banner.

As of now, there are no public announcements regarding post-launch content or updates, though the studio has signaled satisfaction with the launch trajectory.