There's a pattern emerging of XBOX getting labor of love unique AA games each year. Hi Fi rush, Pentiment, Hellblade 2, and now South of Midnight. Blame Game Pass.
Subscription services not only need lots of content but varied content. So interesting games, even if not for everybody (especially if not for everybody) are useful even if they don't bring blockbuster sales. Because what matters is engagement over time. Early attention and lots of sales are welcome but the game is going to be on Game Pass indefinitely. People still on AVOWED.or EXPEDITION 33 might not play it right away but they may get to it later.
Not a game a publisher looking for launch window sales would sign on to but XBOX has different needs and different audiences in mind. It will pay for itself sooner or later.
That's just one of the benefits subscriptions come with. The big crowd pleasers are welcome but there is room for oddballs; quirky, smaller niche content. And in an age where blockbuster development cost is exploding both in time and money, quirky niche 10-20 hour games come in handy. With all the DOOMS, GEARS, CODs, and big franchise games covering payroll and profits for the year, XBOX can afford to slip in other, "lesser" games.
At the recent dog and pony show where everybody was ooh-ing and ahh-ing over DOOM and NINJA GAIDEN, SOUTH OF MIDNIGHT was almost an afterthought. Come April, it might end up a small jewel in its own right. An unexpected hit.
Or not.
Win or lose, at least it got made and we get to play it.
At a time the industry is under stress and chasing the big bucks we should be glad there is still room for a game like this. But let's not lose sight that there aren't many publishers that would risk it.
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