gaming

Australia blocks Halloween: The Game over incentivized drug use, banning sales

Illfonic's Halloween: The Game, an asymmetrical multiplayer starring Michael Myers and due September 9, was refused classification by the Australian Classifications Board and cannot be sold in Australia or New Zealand. The board denied a rating because the game features incentivized use of a controlled substance—survivors can use marijuana to temporarily reveal Michael's position—rather than for its violent content. The refusal prevents both physical and digital sales in those markets, though pre-order content previously received an automated R18+ classification in July. The decision illustrates that Australia's ratings rules prohibit depictions that actively encourage drug use even when extreme violence is present.

• Developer Illfonic’s Halloween: The Game is an asymmetrical multiplayer due September 9, with one player as Michael Myers and others as survivors.
• The Australian Classifications Board refused to grant a rating because the game contains incentivized use of a controlled substance, not because of its violent kills.
• In the game, survivors can smoke marijuana to temporarily reveal Michael Myers' 'pings' across the map, a mechanic identified as incentivizing drug use.
• The classification refusal bars both physical and digital sales in Australia and New Zealand; the game's pre-order content received an automated R18+ rating in July.