The Classification Board Is Reviewing We Happy Few’s Ban

In a press release this afternoon, the Classification Board has announced that it will be reviewing the refused classification ruling for We Happy Few.

The review was triggered after the board received an appeal against We Happy Few‘s effective ban earlier this year. The ratings board had previously found that the prevalent use of Joy — despite the overarching dystopian themes, and the general principle of trying to subvert a society controlled by mood enhancers — was a violation of the classification guidelines.

“A player that takes Joy can reduce gameplay difficulty, therefore receiving an incentive by progressing though the game quickly,” the Board’s report said.

Why We Happy Few Was Refused Classification The latest game to be banned in Australia. We Happy Few. The announcement was a shock, but a reading of the board's report reveals that the decision is one gamers have become accustomed to from the country's censors. Read more

In the press release announcing the review, the Board said they would meet on July 3. They also opened the floor for public submissions, saying that anyone who wished to stand “as an interested party to this review” could write to the Convenor of the Review Board either by email or through this postal address:

The Convenor

Classification Review Board

Locked Bag 3

HAYMARKET, NSW 1240

The deadline for applications and public submissions on behalf of the game is June 29, with the board noting that they could “only consider submissions about We Happy Few itself and not any other matters relating to computer game classification policy or issues generally”.

You can read the Board’s press release in full below: