Konami's highly anticipated game, Silent Hill f, has been refused classification (RC) in Australia, which means it cannot be sold there at this time. However, this rating was assigned by an automated tool, rather than the Australian Classification Board, suggesting that the situation may change based on past precedents.
Konami does not handle its own distribution in Australia, and IGN has reached out to their third-party distribution partner for a statement.
The exact reasons for Silent Hill f's RC rating have not yet been disclosed. Since the introduction of the R18+ rating category for games in Australia in January 2013, games are typically refused classification only for reasons such as sexual activity involving minors, depictions of sexual violence, or linking incentives to drug use. An earlier game in the series, Silent Hill: Homecoming, was initially refused classification in Australia in 2008 due to a high-impact torture scene, but this was before the R18+ category was introduced. It was later released with modified camera angles and received an MA15+ rating.
It's important to note that Silent Hill f’s RC rating was determined by the International Age Rating Coalition's (IARC) online tool, which is used for mobile and digitally delivered games. This system involves a questionnaire about the game's content, and the tool automatically assigns ratings based on the standards of each participating country. In Australia, the IARC tool's decision is published directly on the National Classification Database.
Since its adoption in 2014, the IARC tool has been used for digitally distributed games in Australia due to the overwhelming number of games released annually on platforms like the iOS app store. There have been instances where the IARC tool's automated ratings have been higher than those assigned by the Classification Board, leading to confusion about bans, as seen with games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance and We Happy Few in 2019.
The IARC tool is free, making it advantageous for smaller publishers and developers. However, physical game releases still require a rating from the Classification Board, so if Silent Hill f is intended for physical release in Australia, it would need a formal review regardless.
In Australia, game publishers can employ accredited classifiers or authorised assessors. Accredited classifiers are trained by the Classification Board and can make official decisions, while authorised assessors can only make recommendations that the Board may or may not adopt.
At this point, it's unclear whether Silent Hill f's RC rating will be upheld after further review. Notably, Silent Hill f is the first game in the series to receive an 18+ rating in Japan.
