The next installation of the Life is Strange series, True Colors, is out soon on September 10. However, The Remastered Collection - a bundle of the first game and Before the Storm - has officially been delayed until early 2022.
In a message on Twitter, the development team confirmed that the Life is Strange Remastered Collection won't be keeping its 2021 release date and will instead launch sometime early 2022. In their update, Deck Nine attributed the delay to "the ongoing challenges of the worldwide pandemic," and noted they "want to alleviate any additional pressure on the Life is Strange team by giving more time between the release of Life is Strange: True Colors and the Life is Strange Remastered Collection."
Life is Strange: True Colors isn't moving, and will also receive a follow-up DLC on September 30, Life is Strange: Wavelegths. The additional content will feature Steph Gingrich, a character from the Before the Storm prequel, and fans will have their first look at the DLC in a new trailer tomorrow, August 12.
Originally, the Remastered Collection occupied that September 30 release date. Developer Deck Nine is leading the next title, True Colors, while the original studio, Dontnod, moves away from the series to focus on new, original IP.
Life is Strange certainly isn't the first game to see COVID-19 related delays, as studios continue to navigate the difficult transitions and challenges the pandemic has posed. Earlier this year, we heard industry professionals reflect on games like Persona 5 Strikers and Resident Evil Village, mentioning COVID-19 as a factor for missed release dates and internal struggles.