*The above image of Beyond Capture Studios is from a student shoot and is not from production of South of Midnight.
Just as no two snowflakes are identical, every gamer is unique. With countless genres to choose from – from survival horror to action/adventure & card games (I’m currently mildly obsessed with Balatro) – and a continually expanding roster of multiplayer options, there are endless possibilities for gamers to curate their libraries and immerse themselves in game lore.
For those who seek narratively rich games, you’re in luck! With the success of AAA hits like The Last of Us, God of War, and Alan Wake 2, the veil between cinema and games has never been thinner. And now, with Compulsion Games’ latest 2025 game release – South of Midnight – the Canadian video game developer/Xbox studio has proven that though it might be “dangerous to go alone,” the reward is truly worth the risk.
One of 2025’s most-anticipated releases, South of Midnight has more-than lived up to its hype. At Vancouver Film School, we are thrilled to highlight the 12 alumni from Beyond Capture Studios who worked behind the scenes to bring this truly remarkable & unique game to life.
12 VFS alumni from Beyond Capture worked on South of Midnight – an action-adventure game set in a Southern Gothic world of mythical creatures & folklore.HOW VFS ALUMNI CONTRIBUTED TO THE SOUTH OF MIDNIGHT GAME
The VFS alumni from Beyond Capture span a variety of our programs, including 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Writing for Film, Television & Games, and Foundation Visual Art & Design:
- Matt Lautrup – First AD
- Carlos Rodriguez – Audio Technician
- Russell Ma – Capture Technician
- Andrea Garcia de Alba – Mocap Specialist
- Andres Ferrat Lapham – Real-Time Operator
- Savian Sills – Mocap Editor
- Audrey Ayoub – Mocap Editor
- Claudia Luna Priego – Faceware Artist
- Nicole Wheatley – Faceware Artist
- Alec Soto – Jr. Mocap Editor
- Natalia Montes de Oca – Jr. Mocap Editor
- Ali Heraize – Camera Operator (Contractor)
Additionally, former VFS instructor Charles Douglas served as the Shoot Master for the Montréal portion of the capture sessions.
“We’re incredibly proud to have worked with Compulsion Games on South of Midnight, now out in the world” commented Graham Qually, Owner/President of Beyond Capture. “The game is nothing short of breathtaking – a beautiful, atmospheric experience full of heart, soul, and stunning artistry. Seeing it come to life has been an absolute privilege.”
A LOOK AT COMPULSION GAMES’ LATEST HIT GAME
From the studio that gave us We Happy Few and Contrast (proud to say I’ve played both!), South of Midnight is an action-adventure game where our heroine, Hazel, discovers her identity as a Weaver – a being capable of manipulating the fabric of reality through magic. In the aftermath of a devastating hurricane in the town of Prospero, Hazel embarks on a quest to find her missing mother, confronting mythical creatures inspired by Southern folklore, such as the Altamaha-ha and Huggin' Molly.
The game delves into themes of family, healing, and self-discovery, intertwining personal narratives with the rich tapestry of Southern Gothic traditions. Its distinctive visual style, reminiscent of handcrafted stop-motion animation, coupled with a soundtrack influenced by traditional Southern music, provides an immersive experience that will undoubtedly resonate with contemporary audiences.
The (overwhelmingly) positive reviews are already pouring in, with IGN calling it “a deeply moving, highly stylized game”, CGM proclaiming it to be “a haunting southern gothic adventure you can’t miss”, and PC Gamer declaring it “a gorgeous action adventure game.” If you’re looking to dive into the world of South of Midnight before you play, read Xbox Wire’s in-depth interview with Creative Director David Sears and Narrative Producer James Lewis.
PLUS, take an even deeper dive into the game through Xbox’s official Gameplay Reveal:
WHAT IS BEYOND CAPTURE STUDIOS?
Established in 2017, Beyond Capture Studios is a premier motion and performance capture facility with locations in Vancouver and Montréal. The studio offers a comprehensive range of services, including motion capture, performance capture, facial capture, and virtual production, catering to the game, film, and animation industries.
Their Montréal studio, which opened in 2023, is among the largest in the world and features multiple performance stages and advanced technology. Beyond Capture Studios’ impressive work includes Gears of War: E-Day, The Fall of the House of Usher, the Resident Evil 4 remake, and Oscar-winner Dune: Part Two.
HOW TO START YOUR CAREER IN VIDEO GAME DESIGN
All it takes is one short year! Vancouver Film School’s Game Design program (ranked the best game design program in Canada by Princeton Review Journal!) launches your career as a game artist, coder, or level designer through a production-focused training model where you create a retail-ready game for your career portfolio.
We’ve recently partnered with ASUS to bring ProArt technology into our classrooms and achieved Gold status with Unreal Engine’s Academic Partner Program, meaning this is the perfect time to start your training at Vancouver Film School.
To find out what other Vancouver Film School alumni are up to in the game industry, read our interview with Tyler Burton Smith on writing for Alan Wake 2 and the 8 alumni who worked Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
FAQ
1. What is Compulsion Games’ South of Midnight about?
South of Midnight is an action-adventure game set in a Southern Gothic world. Players take on the role of Hazel, a Weaver who can manipulate reality through magic, as she embarks on a journey to find her missing mother.
2. Who developed South of Midnight?
The game was developed by Compulsion Games, a Canadian Xbox Game Studio known for We Happy Few and Contrast.
3. What is Beyond Capture Studios?
Beyond Capture Studios is a motion capture studio located in Vancouver and Montréal for video games film, & television. They provide a variety of services, from motion capture to performance capture to post-production and more for a variety of popular films, TV shows, and games.
4. Which Vancouver Film School alumni worked on South of Midnight?
12 VFS alumni from Beyond Capture Studios worked on the game in various roles, including Mocap Editors, Capture Technicians, and Faceware Artists.
5. How can I start a career in video game development?
VFS’s Game Design program that provides a hands-on, production-focused training, industry mentorship, and access to cutting-edge technology like Unreal Engine and ASUS ProArt.