adminCompulsion Games partnerships are a new focus for the studio after it separated from Xbox and returned to independent development. The team behind South of Midnight says it is open to collaborating with other studios across the games and entertainment industries.
Image credit: Compulsion Games
Compulsion Games partnerships and collaboration plans
In an open letter, the studio described its move back to independence as an opportunity to broaden its work with other creative teams. Compulsion says it can contribute experience in original intellectual property, alongside artistic and technical skills and a collaborative approach.
The studio has invited potential partners to consider working with the team behind South of Midnight. For studios exploring a collaboration, it is useful to define the project’s creative goals, responsibilities, schedule, and rights arrangements early. Compulsion has not publicly detailed specific partnership projects or terms in its announcement.
Recognition for South of Midnight
Compulsion highlighted the recognition received by South of Midnight as part of its invitation to prospective partners. The game received a BAFTA Award, a Peabody Award, and seven Canadian Game Awards. It was also included on multiple lists of the best games of 2025.
These honours provide context for the studio’s creative track record, but the announcement does not identify any upcoming game or entertainment projects. Readers should treat the partnership announcement as an expression of interest rather than confirmation of a particular deal.
What Compulsion keeps after leaving Xbox
Compulsion Games became independent following significant cuts at Xbox. The studio had been acquired by Xbox in 2018, alongside Ninja Theory. Double Fine Productions also spun out of Xbox, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs were reported to be seeking new ownership and funding.
As part of its separation agreement, Compulsion will retain the rights to Contrast, We Happy Few, and South of Midnight. Retaining those properties gives the studio control over its existing catalogue, although the announcement does not specify plans for future releases or adaptations.
The studio’s next chapter
Compulsion expressed appreciation for Xbox’s support and for the chance to bring its games to players around the world. It also said its immediate priority is helping its team through the transition to independence.
The studio plans to continue making distinctive games centred on meaningful stories. For potential partners, the practical next step is to contact the studio through its official business channels and discuss whether a project’s creative direction and production needs align with Compulsion’s capabilities.
What Compulsion Games partnerships could mean
The announcement signals that Compulsion is considering work beyond projects developed solely within its own studio. No partners, agreements, or new projects have been named so far. For now, the key confirmed details are the studio’s independent status, its openness to collaboration, and its retained rights to three games.
In short, Compulsion Games partnerships could create opportunities for the studio to apply its creative and technical experience to new collaborations, while it continues to build games under its own name.
