Square Enix has responded to claims it removed datamined details and anonymous comments from staff who worked on Life is Strange: Double Exposure at developer Deck Nine Games.
The claims arose in an open letter from fans posted to the Life is Strange reddit r/Pricefield, which described recent content removals by “undue DMCA strikes” as attempts by Life is Strange’s publisher to exert “behind-the-scenes editorial control”.
Square Enix has now acknowledged it was behind the DMCA strikes, but said that “all steps were in accordance with appropriate legal requirements”.
The spat comes amid a period of tension between some diehard Life is Strange fans and both Deck Nine Games and Square Enix, sparked by story elements in last month’s Double Exposure. Specifically, some fans – particularly those who post on the r/Pricefield reddit – were left disgruntled by the game’s handling of fan-favourite character Chloe. (“Pricefield” is the relationship name of returning series protagonist Max Caulfield and her blue-haired BFF Chloe Price.)