The world of video gaming was introduced to a new character today, Hazel, the protagonist of the third-person action-adventure game “South of Midnight.” Revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase 2023, this magical realist portrayal of the American South is the latest project from Compulsion Games, the creators of “Contrast” and “We Happy Few.” The game, which promises a journey into the supernatural and the unknown, will be available on Xbox Series X|S through Xbox Game Pass, on Windows PC via PC Game Pass, and also on Steam.
While the “South of Midnight” trailer provided a glimpse into Hazel’s mission to fight supernatural creatures and a brief taste of the game’s world and tone, much of the game’s nuances remain a mystery. Fortunately, the game’s creative director David Sears and narrative producer James Lewis sat down for an exclusive interview to delve deeper into the game’s lore, inspirations, magic, and monsters.
Sears revealed that the game world was not restricted to a specific geographical region but spanned across a fictional version of the American South. This was inspired by the unique geological, societal, and historical facets of the South, with an emphasis on rural areas and the wonder and danger they encapsulate. The developers have taken the mantra “monsters are real – you just need to jump over the backyard fence,” to heart, enabling players to step farther away from civilization into a more magical world.
In creating this world, the team borrowed from genres of literature and movies underrepresented in games. The result is a blend of Magic Realism and Southern Gothic, genres that Sears says give them “a licence to actually put magic in the modern world” and let players accept the presence of mystical creatures without needing excessive backstory or explanation. From the writings of William Faulkner to films like “Night of the Hunter,” the game takes inspiration from a range of sources to create a unique and engaging world that is as much a tribute to the American South as it is a fantastical adventure.
This magic realist setting also allowed the developers to explore intriguing elements of Southern folklore and add a bit of weirdness into the mix. The game draws from Sears’s experiences in Mississippi, exploring abandoned places and forgotten farms. Strange artifacts found during his exploration, such as a tree adorned with doll heads in the middle of nowhere, inspired elements within the game. The world of “South of Midnight,” though based on reality, contains elements that suggest the real world might be stranger than we think.
The protagonist of the game, Hazel, hails from the fictional town of Prospero, a town left behind by the wider society. While her appearance in the trailer exudes confidence and wit, her character has been crafted to feel like a real person with a complex past and relatable struggles. She’s a character marked by a strained relationship with her mother, multiple failures, and societal injustice. Her humor might seem like a defense mechanism rather than genuine mirth. The developers recognized the responsibility they carried in representing Hazel, a Black woman, accurately in the game.
Source: Xbox Interview
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