The Inspiration Behind Haven Springs - Life is Strange: True Colors

Join Rebeccah Bassell from Deck Nine Games (and her greyhound, Toffee!) as she shows you around Idaho Springs, Colorado, one of the inspirations behind Haven Springs - the small mountain town you'll inhabit in Life is Strange: True Colors.
You'll hear exclusive, behind the scenes stories from right within the development studio, accompanied by footage of one of the locations that inspired Haven.
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#LifeisStrange #TrueColors is OUT NOW, with Steph's DLC, 'Wavelengths', available September 30 on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Stadia, and coming to Nintendo Switch later this year.
BUY #LifeisStrange #TrueColors NOW: www.lifeisstrange.com/buy-now
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A bold new era of the award-winning Life is Strange begins, with an all-new playable lead character and a thrilling mystery to solve!
Alex Chen has long suppressed her 'curse': the supernatural ability to experience, absorb and manipulate the strong emotions of others, which she sees as blazing, colored auras.
When her brother dies in a so-called accident, Alex must embrace her volatile power to find the truth - and uncover the dark secrets buried by a small town
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Twitter: / lifeisstrange
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Facebook: / lifeisstrangegame
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VK: lifeisstrange
Discord: / discord
Spotify: open.spotify.com/user/officia...

[@samueldurham9476]

I miss Arcadia Bay, but Haven Springs has its own beauty that I'm very comfortable with. I feel like Haven Springs is a place where people can recover from their inner wounds and be happy. It‘s small but also….peacful, like everybody treats each other like family 💙

[@Tokito_263]

Ya

[@cameronmclean6804]

I like how Arcadia bay and haven Springs the same but also polar opposite with Arcadia bay being by the ocean and haven springs being all the way in the mountains

[@CarolFFOficial]

Yeesss!!

[@swaggytjmatthews4685]

what a beautiful game, wish it was truly a open world , games like being able to go more places, more side activities like fishing , swimming, driving, there is mention of a movie theater in Haven but isn’t revealed in the game, where is Gabe body located, to have a proper burial ,wish it could have been around just a little bit longer in my opinion, was really getting used to seeing him with Alex, in my opinion , i love the game. the good characters, wanna see more interactive characters in the game, more side quests, side missions that doesn’t take away from the main storyline, maybe alternate endings where the main characters can be saved , mystery characters too, who was that angry bald man who was having bad luck throughout the game that was hilarious, more interesting characters like him in future games , what’s the next adventure going to be, the steph dlc i hope it’s not the only post launch content coming after buying a higher version because standard doesn’t include the dlc, alternative outfits , anything like deluxe and ultimate

[@swaggytjmatthews4685]

@@cameronmclean6804 yes both places are beautiful, i wanna see more, beautiful characters, beautiful places in future games, wanna see a truly open world to explore, things outside of the main story

[@TheGreyFinch-]

I haven't gone a single day since playing without wishing I lived in haven springs :,)

[@Garbinge]

As someone who’s a born and bred NY’er, these games have me seriously contemplating on moving to a small, cute town to live out the rest of my life. This was probably my favorite location so far.

[@scottb.3811]

As i did love the town here presented in true colors the arcadia bay location is always gonna be my favorite love the Oregon Coastline!!

[@Dzsorden1]

I live in a small depressed country in the middle of Europe. How envious do you think I am of Colorado?

[@freegame6457]

@@Dzsorden1 which country ?

[@purelilac]

I did just that last summer. Haven’t regretted it for a moment.

[@Dzsorden1]

@@freegame6457 Hungary, but to be fair, its not a bad place to live in these days. We can live without masks, and "we dont kneel before anyone, but our brides, and God".

[@Ladco77]

I hope Idaho Springs is prepared for the influx of LiS tourists you've just inspired. I want to visit Arcadia Bay, but I could easily see settling down in Haven Springs. True Colors made me homesick for a town I've never even seen.

[@HiAllegro]

“True Colors made me homesick for a town I’ve never seen before” Now that’s a fantastic review for this whole game.

[@cryofpaine]

I live near a lot of these small Rocky Mountain towns (North Idaho), and it was like walking down any of those streets. Though Idaho is a lot more conservative than Haven Springs (I don't know about Colorado in real life).

[@kaeli3952]

@@cryofpaine unfortunately as someone who is a Colorado native, our "small" towns arent that small anymore. Too many people have moved here over the past 20 years and the whole foot hills of the mountains is covered in houses and no longer looks like pretty forested mountains

[@crissto8591]

@@HiAllegro i'm pretty sure that's the whole series.

[@mattstansbeary3068]

I hope they stop by Boulder, Co while they are at it. not saying they didn't use Idaho spring just saying it looks a little bit like it too.

[@Lightning0969]

It's always amazing how devs can make a place from real life into a game

[@ChrisTheCringe]

That's advancement in technology for you!

[@CloudxTifa150]

I don't think I've ever fallen in love with an in game location so bad, ever in my life. I wished so bad it was a real place to live in, it makes me feel a way I can't quite explain. Still tho, the fact that Idaho Springs exists and many other towns like it automatically made me want to visit them, to go to Colorado and at least stay for a time in there. I feel like my soul needs it.

[@tenchu006]

Exactly!!! Let's do it

[@karinabasiura9397]

Omg I’m signing up!!

[@croquignol9418]

I’m down for it as well!

[@The_Desert_Hero]

LIS True Colors isn't even a month old yet and I already miss Alex & Steph.

[@Tokito_263]

Dont worry steph dlc will be out soon

[@TheDokterKokosnoot]

Same 😢

[@dedalus6188]

Me with Ryan and Alex

[@queensaharaice7376]

@@dedalus6188 SAME!

[@swaggytjmatthews4685]

will there be more games like this in other towns, cities like this and Arcadia Bay, what happened to Max and Chloe from the first game, does the series go after this? wonder when there be other games in this beautiful series, keep ‘‘em coming as long as possible, I was hoping and wish that we could have at least explored more of Haven Springs in the game , it was blocked off from the main area, can we get a truly open world in the next game no limitations, no inaccessible areas, more characters to meet, what about being able to switch outfits at any time of the future games, without having to wait till cutscenes are over, able to switch characters in game, more playable characters in future games, more free dlc, for future games , wish we could have saved Gabe , or at least find where the accident happened and his body location to bury him, spoiler 🚨 alert if you haven’t played it yet

[@chancegaschler20]

I can't even express to you guys, how much these games mean to me. Please never stop making them. They teach me so much about myself and are one of the few games that changed the way I look at the world. Thanks to everyone that gave even the slightest bit of themselves to this game. I can't wait to play again tonight.

[@user-bl4po5kv8d]

LiS is not just a game, is a life lesson. I love that game series. Come 30th XD

[@chancegaschler20]

@@user-bl4po5kv8d can't come soon enough!

[@deadbutterfly7846]

Haven Springs is a truly magical and beautiful place! I think that every LiS Fan would love to live in a city like that, it's amazing that it's inspired by a real place!! 💗

[@Circletwice]

To me, there really just isn’t any other franchise as specifically magical as LIS. Not in this way. THANK YOU for giving us this, thank you for your hard work and the love you so clearly put into your projects. I finished LIS:TC the other night, it helped me in a bad place. It was the only thing that gave me an escape from my depression enough to be able to immerse myself. The atmosphere, the soft colors, the soothing music, that air of “oh, all the things that life will be when I get older” (even as I’m nearing 30), it’s… a beautiful, uplifting franchise. To me, it stands unmatched. I have to admit that I miss the Diaz brothers a lot. The only letdown was the lack of a cameo (other than Sean’s squad-shirt, I chose for Alex to wear it of course). Because they stole my heart. Sean has a special spot in here that only a marginal amount of video game characters get to claim. And I dream that maybe we’ll see a cameo of him some day. Maybe he’ll become a famous comic writer and we’ll see his issues side by side with other background series in LIS4 (subtle plea is subtle, I know). I just… LIS2 was something extra. But imagine that - in a tapestry of so much good. I’m so grateful for all the good vibes these games have given me. I appreciate your franchise so much, guys. Thank you. ❤️

[@fpeter01]

It's really cool that dev's make videos about the game after the release.

[@oOcitizenOo]

Haven Spring is by far the best and the most cozy town i've ever met in video games. I instantly wanted to move to it when first saw it in the game.

[@FroSStVipeR]

You guys did an incredible job with True Colors, every step of the way. Very happy to say that it is my absolute favorite Life is Strange game and Alex was just as equally amazing.

[@hodgeyfitness6058]

I hope the next life is strange game they make another place like haven springs it's so welcoming and the characters make Alex feel part of the town even though she's a stranger they help her settle in

[@iwillgivejustinychocymilk8475]

Super sad i finally finish the game.I wish i can experience to play this beautiful game for the first time again.

[@ilovemynancydrew147_5]

Sammmmme! It was so much fun!

[@Anime_kitten]

I loved Gabe... He was my favorite my brother died 3 days before Christmas so I relate to Alex even more now then before. I loved Acadia bay. My fave was Chloe but i felt like max back then again im a lot like these shy people. I used to be so reserved but my x ruined my perceptions. I finally removed him out and now finding myself Gabe has given me inspiration I wish I could find a step dad like him for my kids

[@Dark_Brandon_2024]

Sorry and glad to hear that, take care

[@itscrosshairs9653]

If Haven was an actual town that looks like it does in game with the same characters then I'd gladly move there, I really need that in my life :')

[@johnc2956]

Life is Strange 2 and True Colors both speak to me deeply. LiS2 is about living on the road and alone, a minority escaping to music and art while having paranormal experiences--my youth and as a result my life on the road the past 11 years overseas. True Colors is finding and creating a home and connecting with people--a nice contrast to LiS2 and I'm Asian as well. Haven Springs and Alex's experience remind me of the desert town in LiS2 with Karen. I'm now moving to Northampton, MA, but I do intend to visit Idaho Springs and other similar towns on the way with my two dogs, sketchbook, guitar, and whatever is my own something-something that Daniel/Max/Alex had.

[@Sp3llmen]

As someone who has lived in small towns basically my entire life in Wisconsin, I can honestly say small towns are the best way to go. You can just choose to live in one near a bigger city if you still want that experience. But small towns with lovely neighbors and a tight knit community is the way to go. The stories youll hear and friendships you will build are like nothing else

[@andreafreire5647]

I love that they always take inspiration from real cities like Arcadia Bay, which is inspired by various cities in Oregon, and Puerto Lobos, which actually exists in real life.

[@hugesoul9311]

Well done DEV team, this game was amazing. 👏 It's seriously tempting to move there after seeing the beauty of it in the game!! So long, Colorado dreams.

[@TheFlowerGirl13]

I don't think I've laughed or cried more at a video game than I did with True Colors! Thank you so much for this game

[@revenge774]

I’ve lived in Colorado my entire life and it feels so good to see my favorite series to be in my favorite place I cried watching this because I love both these things so much 😭😭😭

[@donij9853]

Same I’m so glad that we got recognized

[@SoosLives]

I went to Colorado this summer. Altitude sickness is REAL. Nice natural high feeling I got though. I felt at home visiting Colorado Spring and Manitou Springs. I definitely would enjoy living there.

[@BRUTALSAMM]

they make the best environments and every time they make a new one it still feels like life is strange and still immerses you like the previous games , outstanding

[@paranoidpixie95]

I didn't realise that Haven Springs was based on a real place. I thought it was a town crafted specifically for the game. It's lovely to see the inspirations behind the setting of True Colors. If the thing about Coloradans having a real sense of pride in their state, then I can only imagine how people from this town in real life felt when they saw Haven Springs for the first time.

[@chrisd9799]

It's interesting that most of those mountains towns have the same main street layout. All the old buildings run up the main street, there are some outliers though. I live in a New Mexico town with the same layout founded in 1887. It's not quite picturesque as the Colorado towns, but has the same layout. 45 minutes away are the Rockies. Just remember most of these towns are warm in summer, bit can be "really" cold in winter.

[@shigara1230]

I really wish i could life in Haven Springs. You guys did an amazing job not just with the town, but with the game as a whole, a true masterpiece. I hope we will get some more adventures with Alex and Steph in Haven, i just love these two. Thank you to everyone on the team who gave us this beautifull and amazing game!

[@Dani_carameru]

the warmth + all those colors to me the most eye pleasing LiS ever

[@TSF_Ukraine]

Loved every minute spent in Haven. Wish I lived in a place like that in real life, too. Great job, team!

[@Gta-lg8se]

Aspen!

[@syzygy9130]

I have lived in Boulder my whole life and it's so crazy and surreal to see my favorite franchise land so close to home. I've spent so much time in Idaho Springs and other small mountain towns and somehow this game actually gave me a brand new perspective on them

[@Dearminder]

First games got me into loving Oregon but Colorado also have a unique and awesome spirit

[@They_Say_Just_Drive]

nice to actually know such a place exist. wow

[@JinTaizen]

Haven Springs kinda reminds me of my hometown. So living in a place where it's not bustling, not noisy, and not too many people would be second nature to me.

[@riverjacobs6080]

As a Brit, it was always my intention to move to the US and - for some reason - Colorado was the place that always appealed. Three times, I've almost made that move and three times, something has come up to stop me going. Now I'm getting older. Retirement is looming. Once again, the urge to go to the US is starting to settle in my mind and, again, it's Colorado that's calling to me the loudest. Playing True Colors has just strengthened that urge. "Riv," it whispers, "We're still waiting for you. Pack away the record collection and start looking for a home here." Soon then.

[@FarhadHakimov]

The only promise is the adventure.

[@1273poopoo]

Everyone in LiS lives their best lives in these small cozy tight knit towns. But if I had to really pick out of them all, Delos Crossings from Tell Me Why would be my pick! With Haven Springs being a close second!

[@MarshPlays]

Thank you for these little sneak peaks behind the scenes, it's so awesome!!!!!!!!

[@kaylinm.183]

I watched LIS true colors game play over and over again, It’s so good that I can’t stop watching. But of course the first LIS game will always have a place in my heart✨😊❤️

[@clem3463]

This is exactly what I wanted to see!

[@krsextonart]

This is the juicy bts footage I love to see! Thanks for sharing!

[@DragonFlexed]

Seems like a beautiful place

[@Ad0rkistic]

I love when games have real life locations it makes it even more fun! 😅

[@aarontatham5533]

Being from the UK, Watching this really makes me wanna go live in Colorado and experience the hospitality there 😊

[@lukeoneill6236]

i cannot physically explain how much i want haven springs to be a real place lmao

[@bengejuknowit3048]

Not sure if I could live in the mountains but I'd love a Beer in the pub with Alex, Steph, Gabe etc!

[@Validus_TV]

The part about the craft beers is true, we're insufferable out here. I blame the lack of oxygen.

[@jamesbarefoot4989]

Haven Springs is a place that if I had a chance to move to, I would take it wholeheartedly. I love Arcadia Bay but this is honestly a better place.

[@phantomwheeler81]

So awesome to see the inspiration of Haven Springs. Deck Nine did such an amazing job with Life is Strange True Colors. I absolutely love the game and I love Haven Springs.

[@AE_Sunset-Nutrix_AE]

It's cool to see, that Deck Nine really spent time to make sure that Haven Springs might as well exist in real life.

[@chriswatchingponies9877]

Haven Springs is absolutely beautiful. Amazing piece of art. LIS made me want to go to Oregon before. Now i want to visit Colorado.

[@scarletvermillion4855]

was SO curious about the inspiration for haven springs, thanks for sharing!!

[@gabriellalopez6537]

Dont these just make you cry. Job well done team! I finished the game in less than a day. I want more!

[@tenchu006]

Life goal is to honestly find a place like this with people like the ones in the game, dead serious!

[@Outshinedsg]

The area I live in used to be countryside when I was a child, but as I get older it's increasingly more and more just suburban sprawl. This video made me nostalgic, and a little sad, because places with this kind of small town vibe are increasingly rare now. Almost all the local stores have folded and been bought out by corporate franchises.

[@n00n00n_]

WAS WAITING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS!

[@mattstansbeary3068]

There a Famous Street in Boulder, Co that if change a little ( No Cars can drive on it just 2/3 blocks of walking and looking around) looks like it was taken right out of LiS:True Colors. I do agree they use a lot of small towns around Colorado.

[@raginggamer7670]

This game was amazing I played the whole game in one night it was the day after it came our it was one of the best storyline games I have ever played. The whole game was emotional and the music was also just about as emotional. Not only that I liked that Alex had the power of reading emotions it obviously isn’t as great as going back in time but it was something different. I liked all of the life is strange’s that have came out so far can’t wait already for the next one.

[@Ham1001dy]

I was hoping for this video ✌🏽😎

[@ThiefThaekhs]

Wow amazing job! Great choice for the game, the sensation of trying to belong and start a new life in a small town matched perfectly imo. Thank you for another amazing journey! :D

[@Filya-chan]

Thanks for the game, really loved this one in general and Alex in particular. The music in here is something special.

[@rouxky0]

J'avais rechercher quel ville a était inspirée life is strange avant la vidéo! Franchement ça a l'air pas mal et coool pour des vacances

[@poomnewgen1]

I love this town

[@sims4u422]

Thank you for this incredible game and for this behind the scenes truly interesting.

[@Mikoyantwonine]

I will definitely be watching this video in a few weeks, once I can look at anything from the game or hear the OST without getting choked up.

[@ShirayukiPoulpe]

C'est siii beau, ça me donne envie de voyager, j'espère qu'on jour je pourrai aller visiter ces montagnes ainsi que cette jolie ville ! c:

[@TheGamersGrotto]

VERY cool video!! As somebody who grew up and lived in the countryside for most of my life I could definitely understand the appeal of Haven Springs.. :p

[@KoolKatVibes]

It would be a dream to work for Deck Nine and Dontnod. These games are inspirational and real and beautiful. Being apart of one of these games would be a dream.

[@adiksaff]

=;D Why... am I crying??!! You can absolutely feel the love through this game and from the Dev team!! This was a beautiful piece of insight! Thanks so much!

[@allan-sg]

I fall in love for Heaven Springs, if my english was good i would really like to live there

[@jennahroland8623]

I definitely visit haven springs this year because I want to see all the different places just like the game 🦋

[@Zimba.]

I think I'll have to move to Colorado now

[@jamesrara]

Loved the game. Would definitely watch more of these videos!

[@hellacereal1649]

amazeballs!!!!

[@EkoAtioN]

Please please please we need more content of haven ! Or just give us a new Life is strange next year pleeeeaaase 😪💔 i cant wait for more hahah

[@jculpep3]

Y'all might like Ouray, CO too if you're planning a Haven Springs road trip.

[@rafiqdan]

I really want to live in Haven Springs with all the characters in the game

[@laurenb4738]

As I was playing the game, I was so hoping haven springs was based off of a real town. It’s soooo beautiful and I want to go there!!

[@racermigs1]

I've never traveled outside my country. But someday, I'm going to visit these places that inspired LiS.

[@ceikaiyiacheeksthedirector2920]

Love the inspiration for the game and love the game! I really need to find more inspiration for my stories and really dive deep into it

[@acc45460]

Adding this town to my "places I must visit" list. How awesome (but nearly impossible) would it be if Idaho Springs did a LARP for tourists? (nearly impossible because anyone who doesn't know about the Life is Strange fandom would be very confused or annoyed)

[@aifenmira8510]

Very beautiful, congratulations, the game is wonderful

[@LukeMKo0]

There's a bunch of birds in the sky, And some deers just went running by, Ohhh, the snow's pure and white on the earth rich and brown, Just another sunday morning in my quiet mountain town. The sun is shining and the grass is green, Under the 3 feet of the snow I mean, This is a day when its hard to wear a frown, All, the happy people stop to say hello! Even though the temperature's low, Its a perfect Sunday morning in my quiet little mountain town!

[@tj7667]

Makes me wanna move to Colorado

[@user-jd4jm5ge3s]

It's awesome

[@tay2964]

i want to live in a town like this :) i hope i find my home in the mountains soon

[@juleroocktyeah]

I really loved Arcadia Bay.. but more I loved Haven Springs 😍🥰

[@mattisonm5440]

Strange Colorado transplant here, crying during the intro song on the bridge already. 🥲😅 I can already tell I’m about to relive my early twenties and this is gonna be an emotional rollercoaster. Thank you!!

[@user-xq7qb4cf6m]

Can't believe such place do exist.

[@MeryGomezBurgos]

Increíble e interesante, amo todos los detalles de esta saga 🥰❤️ Pd: precioso perrito 🤩

[@johny2sirajaweaboo437]

I like this real life city life is strange true color.i wish im must travel to this town.

[@dav1dparker]

One day I will live in place like that.

[@sicotronico]

im so happy…

[@nightspy5545]

Eu já visitei uma cidade no Sudeste do Brasil, mais precisamente no Espírito Santo, que me lembrou muito Haven Springs. Se chama Santa Teresa. É uma cidade montanhesca também. A arquitetura e biodiversidade do lugar também eram muito parecidas. Se um dia puderem visitar, deixo minha recomendação. A vibe de lá é incrível e lembra muito Haven Springs.

[@foreverphantom6881]

I would love to live in a small little mountain town somewhere.

[@davi7569]

I knew it was on Idaho Springs! 😁

[@TheSLeePing13]

Awesome job on the game👏🏿 do you have any local foods that can only be eaten in colorado?

[@borna6491]

Nice

[@donutgamingforever1862]

I know I'm late to the LIS Community😅 but i just finish playing LIS1 and the storyline is just soooo good and interesting i really love it! I haven't play the rest of the games as i just can't move on😕 I did a research and i found there's LIS after the storm and i didn't read the comic yet but i hope it's interesting..

[@Mau602]

Wow

[@scottfrye]

If the bar jukebox has Mildred Cross and the Watermelon Floss Brigade I'll start walking tonight