Silent Hill f Has Been Refused Classification in Australia

Konami's upcoming game, Silent Hill f, has been refused classification (RC) in Australia, meaning it cannot currently be sold in the country. This RC rating was assigned by an automated tool from the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), rather than by the Australian Classification Board directly. Given past precedents, it's unlikely that this will be the final decision on the game's classification.

Konami does not handle its own game distribution in Australia; IGN has reached out to their third-party distribution partner for a statement on the matter.

The exact reasons behind Silent Hill f's RC rating have not been disclosed yet. In Australia, games have been refused classification post-2013 primarily for content involving sexual activity with minors, visual depictions of sexual violence, or linking rewards to drug use. Previously, Silent Hill: Homecoming was refused classification due to a high-impact torture scene but was later released with modifications and rated MA15+ after the introduction of the R18+ category in 2013.

There have been instances where the IARC tool has assigned higher ratings than those later given by human classifiers on the Australian Classification Board. For example, Kingdom Come: Deliverance and We Happy Few were initially reported as banned due to IARC ratings but were not ultimately banned. The IARC tool is free, benefiting smaller developers, but physical game releases still require a direct submission to the Classification Board, which can override IARC decisions.

In Australia, game publishers can train their staff as accredited classifiers or authorized assessors. Accredited classifiers can make official decisions, while authorized assessors provide recommendations to the Board.

It's too soon to determine whether Silent Hill f's RC rating will stand after further review. Notably, Silent Hill f has received an 18+ rating in Japan, marking a first for the series.