Deck Nine may be in danger as multiple devs shift focus to new studio

First established back in the 90s as Idol Minds, studio Deck Nine would make a name for itself through the Life is Strange series – which it took over from Dontnod with 2017’s Before the Storm. After working most recently on Life is Strange: Reunion (which launched just earlier this year), it appears as though multiple higher ups at the studio are gearing up to depart Deck Nine.

As discovered by ResetEra user NTMBK, two of the biggest names at Deck Nine have announced that they are taking on new challenges at another studio. While they have yet to confrim their departures from Deck Nine, co-founder and COO Jeff Litchford revealed that he has opened up a new studio, writing:

“After 20 years at Idol Minds / Deck Nine Games, I'm starting something new. Second Unit Games is officially up and running. We're building U.S.-based development teams to help studios keep successful games thriving while their core teams focus on what comes next.”

Alongside Litchford, another Deck Nine veteran has joined Second Unit Games, with founder and CEO Mark Lyons said to be working as its CTO.

While it is possible that both Litchford and Lyons will be serving double duty at each studio, the more likely outcome is that Deck Nine is unfortunately on its way out. We will have to wait for an official announcement to find out.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Deck Nine? Would you be sad to see them go? What’s your favourite entry in the Life is Strange series? Let us know down below.

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