The first prequel episode to adventure series Life is Strange, Before the Storm, launches tomorrow on August 31. Square Enix is timing its arrival with a fund-raising campaign on social media called “Your Friend, Me.” The campaign celebrates the importance and strength of teenage friendship, which is the focus of the Life Is Strange episodes.
Life Is Strange fans are encouraged to post supportive video messages about friendship, as if sending that message directly to a friend who has impacted them. Shared videos should use the hashtags #LifeisStrange and #YourFriendMe. For every video done in this way, Square Enix has pledged to donate $5 (up to $25,000) to The Jed Foundation.
“We are grateful to Square Enix for helping to raise awareness for mental health and JED’s work,” said John MacPhee, CEO at JED. “We all encounter life’s challenges and support from friends can help us get through those difficult times. ‘Your Friend, Me’ is a wonderful way for people to share their story and express their genuine appreciation for a friend, all while spreading a positive message and helping to make a charitable contribution to JED.”
The Jed Foundation is a non-profit that works to prevent teenage suicide and protect and foster the mental health of teens and young adults.
The Your Friend, Me campaign kicked off at the GameStop 2017 Expo in Las Vegas on Sunday, August 27. Square Enix provided video booths where attendees could create and submit their videos.
Life Is Strange: Before the Storm is a three-episode prequel to 2015’s Life Is Strange, starring 16-year old Chloe. The first episode launches August 31 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. No release date has yet been announced for episodes two and three. The episodes are rated M for Mature.
