General FAQ - South of Midnight

[TheBeans017]

if you experience any bugs or issues, please visit our Help Center, where you can find self-service articles or submit a ticket:
Help Center [support.xbox.com]

What can you tell us about Compulsion Games?

At Compulsion, we're a team dedicated to crafting adventures set in strange yet provocatively familiar worlds. We take pride in telling compelling stories with unconventional characters, all while embracing an original and stylish artistic direction. Our gameplay is deeply intertwined with our world and narrative, creating a cohesive and immersive fantasy that draws players in.

What is South of Midnight about?

South of Midnight is a third-person action-adventure game set in a fantastical version of the American Deep South. As Hazel, you will explore the mythos and encounter creatures of Southern folklore in a macabre and fantastical world. The game tells a modern folktale, driven by a rich narrative, a unique moody art style, and Southern-inspired lyrical music. Its gameplay centers around a magical power known as Weaving, which fuels combat, traversal, and puzzle-solving.

How long is South of Midnight and what should I expect in terms of progression?

For South of Midnight, we’re aiming for a play through that lasts between 10 to 12 hours. As a studio of moderate size dedicated to creating unique and immersive experiences, our priority was to immerse players in a distinctive world and story, backed by a progression system that offers some player choices. At the same time, our focus is to ensure the game moves forward smoothly, allowing Hazel, our main protagonist, to access her full set of powers as the narrative unfolds.

When will South of Midnight be released? What date and time?

South of Midnight's global launch is on April 8, 2025. at 9:00 A.M PT.

Early access for South of Midnight begins on April 3, 2025, at 9:00 A.M PT for players who purchase the Premium Edition, or for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers that purchase the Premium Upgrade Addon.

What platforms will South of Midnight be released on? Where can I buy it?

You can play South of Midnight on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, or Steam. The game can be purchased via the Microsoft Store on your console or PC, and the Steam Store.

South of Midnight will also be available day-one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass and will support Xbox Cloud Gaming, as well as streaming on NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Boosteroid.

Is South of Midnight Steam Deck Verified?

Yes, South of Midnight is Steam Deck Verified! Here’s what you can expect:

• All functionality is accessible when using the default controller configuration
  
• This game shows Steam Deck controller icons
  
• In-game interface text is legible on Steam Deck
  
• This game's default graphics configuration performs well on Steam Deck

Disclaimer: This game does not default to external Bluetooth/USB controllers on Deck, and may require switching the active controller via the Quick Access Menu.

For an optimal experience, we play tested and tuned the settings for the Steam Deck specifically. Please note that in our pre-launch testing, the game consistently runs above 30 FPS on the Steam Deck in medium quality and in the standard resolution of the device (800p). We recommend turning on the 30 FPS frame limiter (in the graphical options) for a more consistent interactive experience during play, but we chose to leave it off by default for those of you who would prefer getting reduced latency during combat encounters or plan to play your Steam Deck while using a power outlet.

What different editions of this game are available?

There are two different editions available for South of Midnight: Standard Edition and Premium Edition.

The Standard Edition includes:

• Base game

The Premium Edition includes:

• Base game
  
• Up to 5 days early access
  
• Digital artbook
  
• Soundtrack
  
• The Boo-Hag Comic book
  
• Music Video: Songs & Tales of South of Midnight
  
• Documentary: Weaving Hazel's Journey, Director's Cut

In what ways does South of Midnight draw inspiration from Southern folklore, and how are these elements integrated into its narrative and world-building?

South of Midnight draws inspiration from real Southern folklore, including tales like Two-Toed Tom, Huggin’ Molly, Rougarou, Altamaha-ha, Honey Island Swamp Monster, etc. These stories have been passed down through generations, evolving over time and shaping the cultural fabric of the American South. In the game, we’ve reimagined these myths, adapting them to fit our own fantastical world and presenting our own version. Alongside these legendary creatures, you’ll also encounter original beings we've created, like Benjy the Tree, adding our unique twist to the folklore.

Can I change the combat difficulty settings anytime?

Yes, you can change the game’s difficulty at any time during your playthrough by pausing the game and choosing Difficulty. Note that changing difficulty during active combat will restart the combat sequence with the newer difficulty setting. We have 4 different difficulty (scryer, Healer, Weaver and Grand Weaver) and a fifth ‘custom’ difficulty option (Grand Tapestry) that allows you to modify a set of difficulty settings. If you find the combat too challenging, we recommend switching to the 'Scryer' difficulty, or increasing it if you’re seeking more of a challenge. 

What is the target resolution and frame rate for South of Midnight?

For Xbox Series X, the game will run at 4k with a 60FPS target. For Xbox Series S, the game will run at 1080p with a 60FPS target.

Will there be an option to turn off the stop motion animation?

Yes, players will be able to disable the stop motion animation treatment for gameplay at any time in the settings. Please note that turning on or off the stop motion does not affect the cinematics, just gameplay.

What type of settings and accessibility options does Midnight offer?

For those who want a way to customize their gaming experience in South of Midnight, there are a variety of settings and accessibility features. On top of being able to change difficulty at any time (5 options: Scryer, Healer, Weaver, Grand Weaver, and Custom), the game includes all the basic settings you would expect:

• Controls (Control remapping, sensitivity, alternative input, etc.)
  
• Language (23 languages supported, subtitles, captions, etc.)
  
• Audio (Dynamic range, volume mixer, song vocals, etc.)
  
• Graphics (Temporal upscaling, motion blur, V-Sync, shadow quality, etc.)
  
• Gameplay (Stop motion on/off, camera follow, skip gameplay sequences, etc.)
  
• Interface (Text size, persistent dot, HUD scale, HUD display, etc.)

Additionally, we have a dedicated accessibility menu with options such as:

• Color Profile (8 colorblind profiles presets & customization)
  
• Menu Narration
  
• Navigation Assistance (visual and audio settings)
  
• Motion Sickness (including stop motion on/off)
  
• Gameplay (general, combat, etc.)
  
• And more!

How many languages does South of Midnight support?

South of Midnight supports 23 languages (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Spanish – Latin America, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese – Brazel, Portuguese – Portugal, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Swedish and Turkish). English and French include full audio and subtitles while other languages are subtitles only.

What are the minimum and recommended PC specs needed to play?

Minimum Requirements

• RAM: 12Gb
  
• GPU: Nvidia GTX 1060, AMD RX 580 or equivalent
  
• CPU: Intel Core I3-8100, AMD Ryzen 3 1300X or equivalent
  
• Storage: SSD, Standard Edition (base game): Up to 60GB on the disk, Premium Edition (base game + digital extras): Up to 80GB on the disk
  
• OS: Windows 10 (1903 and above) or 11
  
• DX12 Required

Recommended

• RAM: 16Gb
  
• GPU: Nvidia GTX 2060, AMD RX 6600, Intel Arc A580 or equivalent
  
• CPU: Intel Core i5-7600K, AMD 1600X or equivalent
  
• Storage: SSD, Standard Edition (base game): Up to 60GB on the disk, Premium Edition (base game + digital extras): Up to 80GB on the disk
  
• OS: Windows 10 (1903 and above) or 11
  
• DX12 Required

The minimum Specifications on PC should run close to 60fps on medium or low settings, in 1080p. If you are running at a higher resolution (or with a better configuration), the game will automatically try to configure graphical settings to maximize quality and responsiveness at startup.

Are there any PC-specific features?

South of Midnight supports NVIDIA DLSS (not including Reflex), which utilizes AI-powered upscaling to boost frame rates and deliver stunning visuals. We also support ultra-wide displays for a panoramic experience, some precisions on ultra-wide support:

• Gameplay fully supported in ultra-wide.
  
• Menu will stay framed in 16:9 (black bars on the side).
  
• Cinematics will stay framed in 16:9 (black bars on the side).

Does the game support HDR?

Yes, South of Midnight supports HDR (your monitor needs to support HDR).

Is there any in-game purchases or currency?

No, there are no in-game purchases or digital currencies for South of Midnight.

Can I play multiplayer or co-op mode with this game?

No, South of Midnight is a single-player game and does not include multiplayer or co-op features.

Can I link my Microsoft and Steam account?

Yes, you can link your Steam and Microsoft account via the settings.
The Microsoft account linking button is greyed out when the account is already linked.
You should be able to verify if your steam account is linked with the xbox app.

Note that, for South of Midnight, linking your Microsoft account with steam does not share save files or achievements between the platforms.