Australia and New Zealand have refused classification for Halloween: The Game due to its portrayal of drugs

IllFonic's asymmetric horror game, Halloween: The Game, has been denied a classification by the Australian Classifications Board, leading to a ban on its sale in Australia and New Zealand.

The developers announced on X/Twitter that the refusal stemmed from the inclusion of a controlled substance, not due to the presence of the well-known character Michael Myers or the violent gameplay elements. The studio expressed regret in a reply to a player, acknowledging that this classification rejection means the game cannot be marketed physically or digitally in the affected regions.

There are reports suggesting that cannabis may be the controlled substance in question, as it supposedly provides gameplay advantages when players control Michael Myers. However, IllFonic has not confirmed these reports, and the details of the refusal are not yet listed on the Australian Classification Board's official registry.

Whether IllFonic plans to modify the game to meet Australia and New Zealand's regulations remains unknown, as does the impact this decision might have on the game's global release in September.

The Australian Classifications Board is known for its strict policies regarding content involving drugs and certain types of violence. For example, in 2024, the ACB barred Hunter x Hunter Nen x Impact due to "implied sexual violence," and in 2021, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut was only approved for release after initially being banned.