Halloween: The Game was Banned in Australia Before It’s Release

Halloween: The Game, less than a month before its release, has encountered an unexpected obstacle. Developed by IllFonic, the game failed to receive an age rating from the Australian Classification Board. This decision means the game cannot be sold not only in Australia but also in New Zealand. Furthermore, according to the developer, the problem isn’t the graphic killing scenes involving Michael Myers.

Why Was Halloween: The Game Banned?

In a statement on social media, IllFonic announced that they had tried all possible avenues for Australian players but were unable to obtain a rating for Halloween: The Game. In Australia, a game must pass the necessary classification to be commercially sold. The board’s failure to issue a rating effectively means a sales ban.

Interestingly, the decision isn’t related to the game’s bloody scenes or Michael Myers’ level of violence. The development team attributed the reclassification rejection to a controlled substance used in the game. The exact nature of the substance and how it was used in the game were not disclosed.

As a result of this decision, Halloween: The Game will not be officially sold in Australia and New Zealand. There is currently no information on whether IllFonic will reapply for reclassification by making changes to the game. Therefore, it remains unclear whether the situation will change for players in these two countries before release.

In other regions, the planned schedule continues. Halloween: The Game will be released on September 8th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Players who purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition will be able to start playing from September 4th. The most surprising aspect of the decision is that the ban on a game featuring a character synonymous with violence like Michael Myers stems from controlled substance use, rather than the killing scenes themselves.

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