The prequel to Square Enix’s award winning multi million copy selling, episodic franchise, Life Is Strange: Before The Storm has released its first episode, ‘Awake’ on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows PC. Following the launch, Square Enix released an emotional new three-minute video that features real people and real genuine stories of love and friendship, entitled “An Open Letter”.
In Life Is Strange: Before The Storm, Chloe and Rachel develop a special bond over the course of the story. Square Enix wanted to captivate this special relationship that most people can relate to, so they invited small groups of real people to write an open letter to that one special person in their own lives.
Square Enix Vice President for Brand Marketing Jon Brooke said: “I wanted to capture the emotion and spirit of Life is Strange in a way that you don’t usually see in video game advertising. As a game, it braves to be different, harnessing emotions rarely seen in video games and I wanted the advertising to match this. I am really pleased with how it turned out. It’s designed to remind us that life is all about our relationships and a strong friendship can change everything. I hope everyone can relate to that.”
Creative Agency, Ralph, spent many weeks reaching out to pairs of best friends, asking for stories and insights into how their friendship had lasted through even the toughest of times.
“We took a risk with this strategy and we wouldn’t have achieved the emotion within the video had we not chosen some extraordinary people willing to open their hearts on camera,” admitted Ralph’s Creative Director Gregor Stevenson. “The raw intensity of their reactions as they read their best friends’ innermost thoughts is what we wanted to capture from the start. And that’s what we got. Our goal was to portray each friendship in an engaging and empathetic way, whilst reflecting the authenticity and uniqueness of the characters in the game.”
Life Is Strange: Before The Storm: Episode 1: Awake Launch Trailer
For more Life Is Strange: Before The Storm news, check out our links to the soundtrack and gameplay.