By Sagar V. Mankar “We Happy Few” creators Compulsion Games prepares to launch its newest video game, “South of Midnight,” on Xbox and PC, in 2025.
This exciting action-adventure game introduces players to Hazel, a Black teenage girl who embarks on an unforgettable journey through a magical version of the American Deep South.
The game’s details were recently unveiled in Microsoft Gaming’s new documentary, “Weaving Hazel’s Journey,” giving players their first real peek into this enchanting world.
At its heart, the game serves as a heartfelt tribute to the South, though the development team acknowledges the challenges of portraying this complex region respectfully and authentically.
To bring Hazel’s character to life, the team brought together two talented performers. Nona Parker Johnson handles the motion capture and stunt work, while Adriyan Rae provides Hazel’s voice and additional motion capture performance. Both actresses drew from their personal connections to the South to create a genuine and relatable character.
The game’s story follows Hazel and her companion Catfish as they explore a Gothic-inspired Deep South filled with magic and mystery. Players will utilize Hazel’s special “weaving” powers to face off against mysterious creatures, including a massive albino alligator known as Two-Toed Tom. As players progress through the game, they’ll gradually uncover secrets about Hazel’s family history.
What sets “South of Midnight” apart is its commitment to presenting the South from a fresh perspective. The game challenges common stereotypes and showcases the region’s rich Black culture, strong sense of community, and deep connection to family traditions. This approach particularly resonated with Nona Parker Johnson, who hails from Jackson, Mississippi, and celebrates the game’s portrayal of her home region’s beauty and complexity.
The development team worked hard to get every detail right, including Hazel’s accent. Adriyan Rae carefully balanced authenticity with clarity, ensuring the character sounds natural while breaking away from harmful stereotypes about Southern speech patterns. She drew inspiration from her North Carolina family members to create the perfect voice for Hazel.
The game has already generated such excitement that team members are discussing potential future expansions of Hazel’s story. Performance director Ahmed Best suggests the rich world they’ve created could support various storytelling formats, from stage productions to TV series. He even playfully suggests a prequel titled “North of Noon.”
“South of Midnight” launches on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam, and day one on Xbox’s Game Pass service in 2025.