Australia Bans Silent Hill f

Konami's upcoming horror title Silent Hill f has been temporarily banned from sale in Australia after receiving a refused classification (RC) rating. Notably, this preliminary decision was made by an automated rating system rather than the official Australian Classification Board, suggesting the possibility of future reconsideration.

While Konami doesn't handle its own Australian distribution, IGN has reached out to the company's local partner for clarification regarding this classification issue.

The exact reasoning behind the RC rating remains undisclosed. Since Australia introduced its R18+ rating for games in 2013, titles typically only face bans for depictions of underage sexual content, sexual violence, or drug use rewards. Interestingly, 2008's Silent Hill: Homecoming initially faced classification refusal due to extreme torture scenes - a decision later reversed with modified content under the MA15+ rating, predating the current adult classification system that now permits high-impact violence.

Current information reveals Silent Hill f's classification was determined through the International Age Rating Coalition's (IARC) automated system - designed primarily for digital and mobile games. This online questionnaire generates ratings based on developer-submitted content descriptions, with Australia's IARC decisions appearing automatically on the National Classification Database.

Australia adopted the IARC system in 2014 to handle the overwhelming volume of digital releases (over 40,000 iOS games annually versus the Board's 755 yearly classifications). Historical patterns show the automated system often issues stricter ratings than human classifiers - exemplified by the 2019 false bans of Kingdom Come: Deliverance and We Happy Few that garnered media attention.

The free IARC system particularly assists indie developers, though physical releases still require manual Classification Board review. Importantly, the Board maintains authority to overturn any IARC determination, meaning Konami would need to submit Silent Hill f for traditional classification if planning a retail release.

Australian publishers have two pathways for classification: employing trained in-house accredited classifiers (whose decisions carry official weight) or working with authorized assessors who provide recommendations pending Board approval.

While Silent Hill f's ultimate Australian classification remains uncertain pending further developments, the title has already achieved historical distinction as the series' first CERO Z (18+) rated entry in Japan.