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‘We would rather eat rocks and drink gasoline than be split up’: Compulsion Games has completed its buyout from Xbox

Video Games Chronicle • August 20, 2026 • technology

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Compulsion Games has completed its management buyout from Xbox, regaining full independence and ownership of its IPs, including Contrast, We Happy Few, and South of Midnight.
The studio was affected by Xbox's major restructuring announced last month, which involved thousands of job cuts and studio closures, but Compulsion negotiated to avoid shutdown.
CEO Guillaume Provost emphasized the buyout was driven by the team's desire to stay together rather than disband, with most studio leaders choosing to remain despite some staff departures.
Compulsion is currently working on a game that was already in development before the closure announcement and is exploring potential partnerships with other companies.