Silent Hill f Has Been Refused Classification in Australia

Konami's highly anticipated game, Silent Hill f, has encountered a significant hurdle in Australia, where it has been refused classification (RC rating), preventing its sale in the country at this time. This decision, however, was made by an automated rating tool managed by the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), rather than by members of the Australian Classification Board directly. Given past precedents, it's likely that this is not the final word on the matter.

Konami does not handle its own game distribution in Australia; instead, it relies on a third-party partner, which IGN has reached out to for comment on this issue.

The exact reasons behind Silent Hill f's RC rating remain undisclosed. In Australia, since the introduction of an R18+ category for games in January 2013, games are typically refused classification due to content involving sexual activity with minors, depictions of sexual violence, or linking incentives to drug use. A previous entry in the Silent Hill series, Silent Hill: Homecoming, faced a similar issue in 2008 due to a high-impact torture scene but was eventually released with modifications and rated MA15+.

It's important to note that Silent Hill f's RC rating was assigned through the IARC's online tool, designed for mobile and digitally distributed games. This tool operates by having applicants answer a series of questions about the game’s content, after which it automatically assigns ratings based on the standards of participating countries, including Australia. The decision is then automatically published on Australia’s National Classification Database.

In Australia, this IARC tool has been utilized since 2014 for digitally distributed games, a move prompted by the overwhelming number of games released on platforms like the iOS app store, which vastly outpaced the Classification Board's capacity. There have been instances where the IARC's automated ratings have been higher than those assigned by human reviewers on the Classification Board, leading to confusion and reports of bans, such as with Kingdom Come: Deliverance and We Happy Few in 2019.

The IARC tool is particularly advantageous for smaller publishers and developers due to its free access. However, for physical releases, a direct submission to the Australian Classification Board is still mandatory. The Board retains the authority to override any IARC-assigned classification if it deems necessary.

In Australia, game publishers can employ accredited classifiers or authorized assessors, both of whom undergo training from the Classification Board. Accredited classifiers can make decisions that directly impact the game's classification, while authorized assessors can only make recommendations to the Board.

At this stage, it's premature to determine if Silent Hill f's RC rating will stand following further review. Notably, Silent Hill f marks the first game in the series to receive an 18+ rating in Japan.