[E3 2017] [Announcement] [Video] Episodic Video Game Series ‘Life is Strange’ to Receive Three-Part Prequel

June 12, 2017

Through a cinematic previewed during Microsoft’s Xbox One E3 2017 conference, Square Enix and developer Deck Nine Games confirmed that the narrative-driven video game series Life is Strange will be receiving a prequel known as Life is Strange: Before the Storm. As its predecessor, this will be available over a series of three progressively released instalments, the first being made available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows PC on August 31 2017.

While the original set of four episodes were developed by DONTNOD Entertainment, they do not seem to have any significant developmental involvement in this prequel, with development being handled by Deck Nine Games. Time will tell if they manage to reach the high standards of the original releases.

Life is Strange: Before the Storm is set in Arcadia Bay, three years before the events of the first game in the series. Players will take on the role of a rebellious 16 year-old Chloe Price who forms an unlikely friendship with Rachel Amber; a beautiful and popular girl destined for success. When Rachel’s world is turned upside down by a family secret, it takes this new-found alliance to give each other the strength to overcome their demons.

Lee Singleton | Head of Studio at Square Enix London Studios

LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM is a key release for Square Enix this year and is being created as a direct response to fans asking to return to Arcadia Bay so they can revisit the characters they fell in love with. Many people can identify a particular person who significantly influenced their life; the person that ultimately shaped who they became. LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM is about this exact moment.

Jeff Litchford | Vice President at Deck Nine Games

The original LIFE IS STRANGE brought a new level of depth and real-world emotion to the narrative adventure game genre and holds a strong place in many people’s hearts, including our own. “It’s an absolute privilege to work on the next game in the series and it’s our chance to do justice to the series and prove the quality of our unique StoryForge toolset from our very talented team.

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