We Happy Few wins appeal for reclassification in Australia
After initial denial, game will see Australian release with a rating of R18+
We Happy Few will be released in Australia after a successful appeal to the Australian Classification Review Board rated the game with an R18+.
The game was initially rated an RC (Refused Classification) by the board last month, meaning that the game could not be sold in the country. Specifically, the board was concerned by the game's "Joy" mechanic, where players must take a pill called Joy to fit in with society, or risk NPCs becoming hostile. In the initial decision, this "constituted an incentive or reward for drug-use," which took the game beyond an R18+ rating.
Developer Compulsion Games announced last week that it had issued an appeal to the review board. Fans and members of the community were encouraged to get involved in the conversation surrounding the game's rating.
The official decision was handed down today, though the board's official reasons for the reclassification will be published at a later date.
"We are extremely pleased with the decision of the board and excited that our Australian fans and new players will be able to experience We Happy Few without modification," said Compulsion Games in an official post. "We want to thank everybody who got involved in the discussion, contacted the board and sent us countless messages of support. Your involvement made a huge difference."