Don’t Nod’s studio creative director, Michel Koch, recently addressed the “hateful” comments directed towards Deck Nine’s take on the Life is Strange franchise. Despite not having played the game yet and being unsure of where the story is headed, Koch emphasized that there is no justification for spreading hate towards people involved in the creative process.
In a statement on X/Twitter, Koch expressed his disappointment in seeing the tension and negativity aimed at the developers of Life is Strange: Double Exposure. He acknowledged that while fans may have different expectations and desires for the characters and storylines they love, it is important to remember that creating content is a challenging and subjective process.
While Koch recognized the value of constructive criticism and civil disagreement, he emphasized that the violent messages and harassment he has witnessed are unacceptable. He highlighted the fact that he, too, has faced backlash in the past when announcing new characters in the Life is Strange series, illustrating the difficulties that creators face when trying to meet fan expectations.
Koch admitted that upon reading about Double Exposure, he realized that he might have approached certain aspects of the story differently. However, he acknowledged that with different writers and creative teams, changes in character development and storytelling are inevitable. Despite this, he believes that there is a solid foundation in the game, obscured by the controversy surrounding its early access release.
Our colleague Tom shared his thoughts on Life is Strange: Double Exposure, expressing optimism about the game’s potential once it reaches its full launch. He noted that while there may be valid criticisms of the current version, he is looking forward to experiencing the complete narrative before forming a final opinion.
In conclusion, Koch’s defense of Deck Nine and his call for respectful dialogue and feedback highlight the complexities of creative endeavors and the importance of approaching criticism with empathy and understanding. As fans eagerly anticipate the full release of Life is Strange: Double Exposure, there is hope that the game will ultimately be judged on its merits and storytelling prowess.