Konami's upcoming game, Silent Hill f, has been refused classification in Australia, which means it cannot be sold in the country at this time. However, this "Refused Classification" (RC) rating was assigned by an automated tool, not by the actual members of the Australian Classification Board. Given past precedents, this may not be the final decision on the game's fate in Australia.
Konami does not handle its own distribution in Australia; IGN has reached out to their third-party distribution partner for comment.
The specific reason for Silent Hill f’s RC rating has not been disclosed yet. Since the introduction of an adults-only category for games (R18+) in Australia in January 2013, games are typically refused classification only for content involving sexual activity with a minor, visual depictions of sexual violence, or linking incentives and rewards to drug use. Previously, in 2008, Silent Hill: Homecoming faced a similar situation due to a high-impact torture scene but was released after modifications and an MA15+ rating.
What is known is that Silent Hill f’s RC rating was assigned by an online tool managed by the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), which is designed for rating mobile and digitally delivered games. The IARC tool uses an online questionnaire to gather information about a game's content, then automatically assigns ratings based on the standards of participating countries. In Australia, the IARC tool's decision is automatically published on the National Classification Database.
In Australia, the IARC tool is used exclusively for digitally distributed games, having been adopted in 2014 amid a surge in mobile game releases. There have been instances where the automated IARC ratings were higher than those given by the Classification Board. Notable examples include Kingdom Come: Deliverance and We Happy Few, which were mistakenly reported as banned in Australia.
The IARC tool is free, making it advantageous for smaller publishers and developers. However, all physical game releases still require a rating from the Classification Board, which can override any IARC-assigned classification. If Silent Hill f plans a physical release in Australia, a submission to the Classification Board would be necessary.
In Australia, game publishers can employ staff as accredited classifiers or authorized assessors. Accredited classifiers, trained by the Classification Board, can make official classification decisions. Authorized assessors, also trained, can only make recommendations to the Classification Board.
It's too early to determine if Silent Hill f’s RC rating will stand after further review. Notably, this game marks the first in the Silent Hill series to receive an 18+ rating certification in Japan.
