Don't Nod's Evolution: From Life Is Strange to the Upcoming Lost Records

Four years have passed since Don't Nod Montreal opened its doors, embarking on a new project outside of the Life Is Strange franchise. The team behind the first two Life Is Strange games has been working on Lost Records: Bloom and Rage, a title that marks a new direction for the developer while maintaining its focus on narrative-driven experiences. GamesIndustry.biz had the opportunity to speak with creative director Michel Koch, studio executive producer Luc Baghadoust, and producer Cathy Vincelli at Gamescom to discuss the studio's vision for Lost Records and its approach to game development. Initially scheduled for release in late 2024, Don't Nod decided to push the launch of Lost Records to early 2025 to avoid competing with the next installment of Life Is Strange, now being developed by Deck Nine. This decision, according to Baghadoust, has given the team more time to polish the game and ensure its quality. The development of Lost Records began in 2020, with the concept emerging during the presentation of Life Is Strange 2 at Gamescom in 2019. The game alternates between two timelines: the present day and the '90s, the latter of which was chosen as it represents the development team's formative years. The team drew inspiration from various media, including Twin Peaks, to balance the game's supernatural elements, and from female-centric films like Foxfire and The Craft, as well as games such as Oxenfree and Night in the Woods. Despite being Don't Nod Montreal's first IP outside the Life Is Strange franchise, the series has had a significant influence on Lost Records, with the studio adapting and evolving its approach to narrative-driven games. The team has learned valuable lessons from developing Life Is Strange, particularly the importance of characters in driving the narrative forward. By focusing on character development, the team aims to create relatable and engaging characters that players can connect with. The dialogue system in Lost Records has been designed to be more realistic, allowing players to choose how they want to initiate conversations and interact with other characters. The game's overall goal is to be more reactive than Don't Nod's previous titles, with players having more control over their actions and the game responding accordingly.