When talking about Spoiler:the white phosphorous scene, Walt Williams, the game's lead writer, stated that he wanted player to "be in the same emotional position as Walker." Spoiler:He stated the he "wanted the player to be where Walker was and be angry at [the developers], the people who made them do this".

During focus tests, several regular gamers were brought in to play large chunks of the game for feedback on the game. After this scene, several players paused the game and left the room to compose themselves. Williams wasn't expecting such an intense reaction to the imagery used during this scene.

Williams was met with some resistance to this scene from several members of the development team. Williams defended the scene, and eventually had the team agree with the purpose of the scene as being vital to the story's progression.