Shacknews published a long-form interview with the Last Harbor narrative lead about the San Juan Islands setting. The interview covers why Pacific Northwest was chosen, what the real San Juan Islands offer in terms of fog, current and island density, and how the setting ties into the survival-craft loop.
Key quotes: 'The San Juan Islands are exactly the right size for a survival-craft game. Big enough that you can hide. Small enough that the fog between islands feels like a wall. And cold enough that the cold itself is a survival mechanic.'
Source: Shacknews.