A game too explicit for Australia: Classification Board BANS dystopian World War II computer game and accuses it of encouraging players to take drugs

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A video game has been banned in Australia because it encourages to take drugs, according to the Australian Classification Board.

The game We Happy Few is set in a dystopian society featuring an alternate World War II timeline, where three characters must survive and escape the city.

One of the characters refuses to take Joy, a hallucinogenic drug that leaves the characters in a constant state of bliss and ignorance, leaving them vulnerable and easily manipulated. 

Photo of two characters in 'We Happy Few' (left) and a video gamer (right)

According to the Australian Classification Board, the decision to ban We Happy Few is based on the way drug use is made a key element in the game.

The Australian Classification Board makes its decisions based on three principles: context, impact assessment, and its use of classifiable elements such as drug use, nudity, sex, violence, language, and other themes.

In 2013, Australia introduced the R18+ ratings for video games, but this did not stop the Australian Classification Board from totally banning the controversial video game anyway. 

Aside from We Happy Few, the Classification Board has also banned a significant number of video games in Australia, including Fallout 3,  South Park: The Stick of Truth, Saints Row IV, Manhunt, and State of Decay, among others. 

Most of these video games were banned in the country because of their portrayal of violence, sexual themes, and drug use.

Instagram post from @compulsiongames with the caption: 'The world is more beautiful with a little bit of JOY' (above)