Halloween: The Game Banned In Australia, But Murdering People Isn’t The Problem

Halloween: The Game is right around the corner, but fans of the old-school horror film series in Australia and New Zealand won’t be allowed to take part when the game comes out next month. Developer Illfonic has confirmed that it has been denied classification in those countries, effectively ruling it out from being sold legally within those regions. The strange thing is the reason behind the denial for classification, as it’s not because players can take control of a stab-happy murderer who indiscriminately kills kids and adults.

Instead, the reason behind the banning is because of the “presence of a controlled substance,” according to the social media account for Halloween: The Game.

“Despite every effort on our part, the Australian Classification Board has denied ‘Halloween: The Game’ a rating,” the account confirmed. “The denial was not based on the presence of the iconic slasher, Michael Myers, or the outstanding kills that can be performed in the game, but rather the presence of a controlled substance. Unfortunately, to our disappointment–and certainly yours–this means that we cannot sell the physical or digital product in both Australia and New Zealand.”

Australia is notorious for refusing to classify video games, as hundreds of titles like Hotline Miami, Saints Row 4, and South Park: The Stick of Truth have run afoul of its ratings group, the Australian Classification Board. According to law, any work deemed too inappropriate and featuring content that violates certain guidelines could be refused classification. It’s also mandatory for games to be classified in that country. While many games weren’t allowed to be sold on that side because of extreme violence–like the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot–recent titles that featured drug use and sexual activity with characters who appear to be under 18 appear to be the main reason for being refused classification.

Meanwhile, Halloween: The Game will launch worldwide–except for the folks down under–on September 8, for PC and console. Inspired by the classic 1978 slasher movie, players can either don the modified William Shatner mask of Michael Myers or play as the everyday citizens of Haddonfield in their quest to survive the night against the malevolent Shape of evil.