Australia has banned the upcoming video game Halloween: The Game from sale after regulators determined that a marijuana-related gameplay mechanic violates the country’s classification rules.
The Australian Classification Board has given the game an RC, or Refused Classification, rating, preventing it from being sold, advertised, rented or legally imported in Australia. The board said the decision was based specifically on drug use being tied to an in-game benefit rather than the game’s violent content.
In Halloween: The Game, players attempting to survive Michael Myers can smoke marijuana to temporarily reveal his location, helping them avoid the iconic horror villain. Australian rules require games to be refused classification when illicit drug use is connected to an incentive or reward.
“Halloween: The Game contains illicit drug use that is linked to an incentive or reward, in that use of the drug provides a gameplay advantage to the player,” the Classification Board said in an August 14 statement.
The marijuana mechanic triggered the ban despite the game containing considerably more graphic material. Players taking the role of Michael Myers can carry out violent killings, while other players attempt to survive until the end of a match.
Developed by IllFonic, Halloween: The Game is based on the long-running horror franchise and is scheduled for release September 8 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The game features both Michael Myers and residents of Haddonfield in an asymmetrical multiplayer format, with four players attempting to survive against one player controlling Myers.
The decision has generated significant criticism among Australian players, with the Classification Board reportedly receiving more than 500 complaints related to the game.
Australia has previously refused classification to other video games over similar drug-related mechanics. Titles including State of Decay, Wasteland 3 and Saints Row IV initially ran into classification problems involving incentivized drug use before modified versions were eventually approved.
The controversy comes as the Australian government is reviewing its broader classification system, including possible changes intended to make standards for video games, films and other media more consistent.
For now, however, Halloween: The Game cannot legally be commercially distributed in Australia unless the classification decision changes or the game is modified and resubmitted.
