Halloween: The Game banned outright in Australia

Halloween: The Game has been refused classification in Australia and New Zealand, effectively preventing the horror video game from being sold in either country. Developer IllFonic has confirmed the decision via X (formerly Twitter) in advance of the game's planned September 8 launch for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

The reasoning for the classification refusal may surprise some. Rather than objecting to the game's slasher violence in which one player takes control of a murderous Michael Myers while four others attempt to survive as Haddonfield residents, regulators cited a depicted controlled substance as the sticking point. Namely, players or "residents" can reportedly smoke marijuana in order to gain a certain tactical advantage.

Whether IllFonic will modify the game to meet classification requirements in Australia and New Zealand remains unclear. Either way, the ruling fits a long-running pattern in the region where dozens of games have been refused ratings over depictions of illicit drugs or sexual violence. As for Halloween: The Game, fans might be interested to know that a single player mode will also allow players to experience the game as Myers, in addition to the asymmetrical multiplayer experience.