The Australian Classification Board banned Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact with a Refused Classification rating. Read on to learn more about this surprising news and the game’s future outlook in Australia.
Hunter x Hunter Not Releasing in Australia
Rated with Refused Classification
The upcoming fighting game Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact won’t be released to Australia after the Australian Classification Board gave the game a Refused Classification rating on December 1. No reason was given behind the board’s refusal to classify this game.
The Refused Classification rating means that a game, film, or publication “cannot be sold, hired, advertised or legally imported in Australia.” Moreover, the board described the contents slapped with RC “contains content that is outside generally-accepted community standards and exceeds what can be included in the R 18+ and X 18+ ratings.”
Though the general reasons for receiving Refused Classification are quite clear, it comes as a surprise that the game receives such a rating from the board. For instance, its official introduction trailer showcased no sexually explicit scenes, graphic violence, or drug use. It merely portrays what a typical fighting game should be.
Despite that, the game might contain explicit content beyond what is seen in its official trailer. However, this could also mean that the game contains some clerical errors that can be corrected in the future before receiving a rating.
The Australian Classification Board is Open to Second Chances
This is not the first rodeo of Australia when it comes to banning games and overturning its decision. The Australian Classification Board has banned many games from 1996 to the present. The first one it banned is Pocket Gal 2, which contains sexual activity and nudity. Even the famous The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings was initially banned for the same reasons while giving incentives and rewards to players. However, the Refused Classification was overturned after editing a side quest, making its rating MA 15+.
Despite its seemingly strict classification requirements, the board is open to overturning its decisions if a game is edited, censored, or its content is adequately justified. For example, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut initially received a Refused Classification due to its depiction of drug use. However, the game’s portrayal was ultimately deemed acceptable, as it clearly highlighted the negative consequences of such activity.
Similarly, Outlast 2 was modified to remove a particular scene involving sexual violence, allowing it to secure an R18+ rating. By either addressing the nuances of explicit content or removing sensitive elements, such as drug use or sexual violence, developers can successfully appeal the board's Refused Classification rulings.
That being said, this is not the end of the road for Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact in Australia. The board can reconsider the game’s rating if the developer or publisher provides justifications for its content or opts to remove or censor specific elements to comply with classification standards.
