{"id":2041282,"date":"2026-07-13T19:24:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T16:24:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2041282"},"modified":"2026-07-13T19:24:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T16:24:39","slug":"former-xbox-studio-compulsion-games-says-its-open-to-collaborations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2041282","title":{"rendered":"Former Xbox Studio Compulsion Games Says It&#8217;s Open to Collaborations"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-cy=\"article-content\" class=\"jsx-2870106660 article-content page-0\">\n<section data-cy=\"article-subtitle\" class=\"article jsx-3932497636 article-section jsx-862658659 news\" data-autopogo=\"true\">\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Montreal-based developer Compulsion Games, who avoided closure amidst the <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/xbox-boss-asha-sharma-announces-3200-layoffs-including-1600-today-with-4-studios-leaving-for-new-management-read-the-email-to-staff-in-full\">mass layoffs<\/a> by Xbox Game Studios this month by <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/double-fine-and-compulsion-confirm-status-following-xbox-cuts-get-to-keep-franchises-such-as-psychonauts-and-south-of-midnight\">negotiating its independence<\/a>, has taken to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/we-are-expanding-our-opportunities-to-collaborate-share-7482443558747074560-9YCx\/\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LinkedIn<\/a> to let other developers and publishers know that they are open for business \u2013 and seemingly open to working as a support studio and\/or co-developer on another team&#8217;s project.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;With Compulsion Games returning to its roots as an independent developer, we are expanding opportunities to collaborate with studios across the games and entertainment industry,&#8221; the studio&#8217;s LinkedIn post reads. &#8220;We invite partners to leverage the talent and creativity of the award-winning team behind South of Midnight&#8230;We are excited to support the development of memorable experiences that engage and entertain players around the world.&#8221; The full statement is below:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/2026\/07\/13\/1783953560738-1783969954067.jpg\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-313219616\"><span><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image article-image article-image-full-size jsx-1809694635 jsx-2338608387\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/span><\/figure>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Compulsion released 2025&#8217;s South of Midnight to critical acclaim, receiving an <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/south-of-midnight-review\">8 out of 10 (Great)<\/a> from IGN and a &#8220;Generally Favorable&#8221; rating on the review-aggregate website <a href=\"https:\/\/www.metacritic.com\/game\/south-of-midnight\/critic-reviews\/?platform=xbox-series-x\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Metacritic<\/a>. Xbox <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2018\/06\/10\/e3-2018-microsoft-acquires-playground-games-undead-labs-ninja-theory-and-compulsion-games\">acquired<\/a> the studio in 2018 after it had developed <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2018\/08\/13\/we-happy-few-review\">We Happy Few<\/a> and <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2013\/11\/13\/contrast-review\">Contrast<\/a> prior to that.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Xbox&#8217;s parting of ways with Compulsion (and Double Fine, Undead Labs, Ninja Theory, and Arkane) comes as the first-party publisher looks to <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/xbox-reportedly-speeding-up-new-elder-scrolls-fallout-and-halo-games-as-microsoft-leaves-spinning-off-the-business-on-the-table\">focus its efforts on its biggest franchises<\/a> \u2013 a strategy I&#8217;ve got an idea for regarding <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/xbox-reset-halo-elder-scrolls-fallout-opinion\">how it might play out<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Ryan McCaffrey is IGN&#8217;s executive editor of previews and host of both IGN&#8217;s weekly Xbox show, <\/em><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/watch\/unlocked\">Podcast Unlocked<\/a><em>, as well as our semi-retired interview show, <\/em><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2016\/02\/04\/ign-unfiltered-every-episode-ever\">IGN Unfiltered<\/a><em>. He&#8217;s a North Jersey guy, so it&#8217;s &#8220;Taylor ham,&#8221; not &#8220;pork roll.&#8221; Debate it with him on Twitter at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DMC_Ryan\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>@DMC_Ryan<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-1475529924\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 bobble bobble-1 pogocnt pg-article\">\n<div data-mix-name=\"secondaryMedrec\" data-pos=\"1\" data-pogo-hide=\"1\" class=\"jsx-343126785 pogo-slot\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Montreal-based developer Compulsion Games, who avoided closure amidst the <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/xbox-boss-asha-sharma-announces-3200-layoffs-including-1600-today-with-4-studios-leaving-for-new-management-read-the-email-to-staff-in-full\">mass layoffs<\/a> by Xbox Game Studios this month by <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/double-fine-and-compulsion-confirm-status-following-xbox-cuts-get-to-keep-franchises-such-as-psychonauts-and-south-of-midnight\">negotiating its independence<\/a>, has taken to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/we-are-expanding-our-opportunities-to-collaborate-share-7482443558747074560-9YCx\/\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LinkedIn<\/a> to let other developers and publishers know that they are open for business \u2013 and seemingly open to working as a support studio and\/or co-developer on another team&#8217;s project.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;With Compulsion Games returning to its roots as an independent developer, we are expanding opportunities to collaborate with studios across the games and entertainment industry,&#8221; the studio&#8217;s LinkedIn post reads. &#8220;We invite partners to leverage the talent and creativity of the award-winning team behind South of Midnight&#8230;We are excited to support the development of memorable experiences that engage and entertain players around the world.&#8221; The full statement is below:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/assets-prd.ignimgs.com\/2026\/07\/13\/1783953560738-1783969954067.jpg\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-313219616\"><span><img decoding=\"async\" alt aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"progressive-image article-image article-image-full-size jsx-1809694635 jsx-2338608387\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/span><\/figure>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Compulsion released 2025&#8217;s South of Midnight to critical acclaim, receiving an <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/south-of-midnight-review\">8 out of 10 (Great)<\/a> from IGN and a &#8220;Generally Favorable&#8221; rating on the review-aggregate website <a href=\"https:\/\/www.metacritic.com\/game\/south-of-midnight\/critic-reviews\/?platform=xbox-series-x\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Metacritic<\/a>. Xbox <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2018\/06\/10\/e3-2018-microsoft-acquires-playground-games-undead-labs-ninja-theory-and-compulsion-games\">acquired<\/a> the studio in 2018 after it had developed <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2018\/08\/13\/we-happy-few-review\">We Happy Few<\/a> and <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2013\/11\/13\/contrast-review\">Contrast<\/a> prior to that.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Xbox&#8217;s parting of ways with Compulsion (and Double Fine, Undead Labs, Ninja Theory, and Arkane) comes as the first-party publisher looks to <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/xbox-reportedly-speeding-up-new-elder-scrolls-fallout-and-halo-games-as-microsoft-leaves-spinning-off-the-business-on-the-table\">focus its efforts on its biggest franchises<\/a> \u2013 a strategy I&#8217;ve got an idea for regarding <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/xbox-reset-halo-elder-scrolls-fallout-opinion\">how it might play out<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Ryan McCaffrey is IGN&#8217;s executive editor of previews and host of both IGN&#8217;s weekly Xbox show, <\/em><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/watch\/unlocked\">Podcast Unlocked<\/a><em>, as well as our semi-retired interview show, <\/em><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/2016\/02\/04\/ign-unfiltered-every-episode-ever\">IGN Unfiltered<\/a><em>. He&#8217;s a North Jersey guy, so it&#8217;s &#8220;Taylor ham,&#8221; not &#8220;pork roll.&#8221; Debate it with him on Twitter at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DMC_Ryan\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>@DMC_Ryan<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Montreal-based developer Compulsion Games, who avoided closure amidst the mass layoffs by Xbox Game Studios this month by negotiating its independence, has taken to LinkedIn to let other developers and publishers know that they are open for business \u2013 and seemingly open to working as a support studio and\/or co-developer on another team&#8217;s project. &#8220;With [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,243],"class_list":["post-2041282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-ign-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2041282","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2041282"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2041282\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2041282"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2041282"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2041282"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}