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Konami's upcoming title, Silent Hill f, has encountered a significant hurdle in Australia, where it has been refused classification (RC). This decision means the game cannot be sold in Australia at this time. However, it's worth noting that this RC rating was assigned by an automated tool from the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), rather than by members of the Australian Classification Board. Given past precedents, it's likely that this isn't the final verdict on the game's availability in the country.
Konami does not handle its own distribution in Australia; instead, it relies on a third-party partner, which IGN has reached out to for comment on this matter.
The specific reasons behind Silent Hill f's RC rating have not been disclosed. In Australia, since the introduction of an adults-only R18+ category for games in January 2013, games are typically refused classification due to content involving sexual activity with individuals who appear to be under 18, visual depictions of sexual violence, or linking incentives and rewards to drug use. A previous game in the series, Silent Hill: Homecoming, released in 2008, was initially refused classification due to a high-impact torture scene. However, this was before the R18+ rating was introduced, which now allows for high levels of violence. Silent Hill: Homecoming was eventually released in Australia with modified camera angles for the contentious scene, receiving an MA15+ rating.
It's important to understand that *Silent Hill f*'s RC rating was issued through an IARC online tool, which is used for mobile and digitally delivered games. This tool involves a questionnaire about the game's content, and based on the answers, it automatically assigns ratings for various territories according to each country's standards. In Australia, the decision is then published automatically on the National Classification Database.
Since its adoption in Australia in 2014, the IARC tool has been used for digitally distributed games, addressing the challenge posed by the vast number of games released annually on platforms like the iOS app store. There have been instances where the IARC tool's automated ratings have been higher than those given by the Classification Board. For instance, in 2019, Kingdom Come: Deliverance and We Happy Few were erroneously reported as banned in Australia due to their IARC ratings.
The IARC tool is free and particularly useful for small publishers and developers. However, all physical game releases must still be rated by the Classification Board. If Silent Hill f is intended for physical release in Australia, a submission to the Classification Board would be necessary, and the Board has the authority to override any IARC-assigned classification.
In Australia, game publishers can employ staff as accredited classifiers or authorised assessors. Accredited classifiers are trained by the Classification Board and can classify games, with their decisions holding official status. Authorised assessors, on the other hand, provide recommendations to the Board, which then makes the final decision.
At this point, it remains unclear whether Silent Hill f's RC rating will be upheld following further review. Interestingly, this game marks the first in the Silent Hill series to receive an 18+ rating in Japan.
