Australia Bans Halloween: The Game Over Drug Use Controversy

Spooky season is just around the corner, but it looks like Halloween: The Game won’t be making its debut in Australia. Developed by Illfonic, the same team behind Friday the 13th and Predator Hunting Grounds, this multiplayer horror experience pits players against each other in a chilling chase. One player becomes the infamous Michael Myers, while the others try to survive his relentless pursuit. Although set to launch on September 9, Aussie gamers will have to sit this one out.

Illfonic made the disappointing announcement via their Halloween: The Game X account. They stated, “Despite our best efforts, the Australian Classifications Board has denied Halloween: The Game a rating.” The issue isn’t just the presence of the legendary slasher himself; rather, it’s the inclusion of a controlled substance that raised eyebrows. The board has decided that the game’s portrayal of drug use is problematic, particularly when it’s incentivized.

Reports suggest that survivors can use marijuana in the game to gain a temporary advantage—specifically, being able to see Michael Myers’ locations on the map. This sort of gameplay mechanic is a red flag for the classification board, as they have strict rules against incentivizing substance use. As a result, the game will not be available for purchase in either Australia or New Zealand.

While games featuring controlled substances are not automatically banned in Australia, the way they are depicted matters a great deal. Illfonic’s team has hinted at possible adjustments to address the board’s concerns, similar to how other studios have modified their content in the past. However, with major retailers like EB Games and JB Hi-Fi already pulling listings for the game, it seems unlikely that it will be available anytime soon. The PlayStation Store even removed the landing page for the game, and while Steam hasn’t followed suit just yet, it’s expected to act on the ban shortly.

As it stands, this is yet another example of the tightrope game developers have to walk when it comes to content classification, especially down under. Keep an eye out for updates, as Illfonic may still have some tricks up their sleeve for the Australian market!

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