We Happy Few Grows Toward Retail Debut in 2018

Compulsion Games and Gearbox Publishing are focusing on a bigger vision of We Happy Few in time for a multi-platform retail launch.

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Gearbox Publishing and Compulsion Games today announced they are at work on an expanded version of We Happy Few, which is expected to launch worldwide on April 13, 2018. The game will be available in retail and digital formats on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.

The retail version of We Happy Few will feature a “full-length story campaign” that allows players to assume the role of three different characters and participate in more than 250 unique encounters. That represents quite the expansion compared to the Early Access build, which launched on PC on July 26, 2016.

“Our team was humbled by the initial public reception to We Happy Few, and delighted to have this chance to make it bigger,” said Guillaume Provost, Studio Head at Compulsion Games. “We’re longtime fans of Borderlands, and we’re excited to be part of a line-up that also includes games like Homeworld and Fortnite. Gearbox believed in us from the very beginning, and we think this partnership will make it possible to create the game that our community expects.”

We Happy Few made its public debut on Kickstarter in 2015, where it raised $334,754 CA (compared to an initial goal of $250,000 CA) with support from 7,433 backers. It has enjoyed generally favorable coverage since its arrival on Early Access, but one complaint critics voiced is that the game still feels very much like a work in progress. The partnership with Gearbox Publishing could fix that, and Compulsion Games even retains all creative control as part of the bargain.

“Compulsion Games has an amazing game vision and it’s an honor for Gearbox Publishing to continue the effort,” said Steve Gibson, Head of Gearbox Publishing.

When it finally reaches retail, the standard version of We Happy Few will carry an MSRP of $59.99. Those who preorder the game this fall from the Microsoft Store, Steam, GOG.com, or the Humble Store gain access to the alpha version. Those who have already purchased the title in Early Access or as part of the Game Preview Program will be upgraded to the full version of the game at no extra cost, once it becomes available in April. Today’s Life in Technicolour update is the last planned Early Access improvement, as the team shifts its focus to development of the full game.

A special collector’s set has also been announced, and will retail for $149.99. It includes 60s-themed incentives, such as a replica Bobby mask, a lamp, the game’s soundtrack on vinyl, a Joy alarm clock, and more. However, the game is not included as part of the package. Did you really expect that it would be?

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