‘Halloween: The Game’ Banned in Australia for Unexpected Reasons

Horror games have always navigated a delicate balance with content classification boards globally, particularly when they feature graphic kills and iconic slasher villains. Michael Myers, one of the most recognizable figures in horror, would typically attract scrutiny from regulators.

Developer IllFonic has been building excitement for its officially licensed adaptation of John Carpenter’s original ‘Halloween,’ an asymmetrical multiplayer game that pits four survivors against the infamous Boogeyman. As the September release date draws near, the game has generated buzz through trailers and gameplay reveals highlighting its brutal executions and haunting 1970s atmosphere.

However, just weeks before its launch, ‘Halloween: The Game’ has been officially denied classification in Australia and New Zealand, and the reason for the ban is unrelated to Michael Myers or the game’s violence.

According to the game’s official account, the Australian Classifications Board refused to rate the title due to the in-game presence of a controlled substance, rather than the slasher’s violent actions. The developers clarified in their statement that the decision “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.”

This controlled substance is marijuana, which players can smoke in the game to gain a tactical advantage. Reports indicate that smoking weed in ‘Halloween’ allows players to see Michael’s pings across the map, providing an edge in tracking the killer’s movements. The game also includes a mechanic where players can drink beer to reduce their in-game fear levels, though this comes at the cost of temporarily distorting the player’s screen.

While this ban may come as a surprise given the game’s slasher roots, it aligns with Australia’s long-standing approach to content regulation. Historically, the Australian Classifications Board has maintained a stricter stance on drug use depictions compared to violence, a policy that dates back to titles like 2008’s ‘Fallout 3,’ which faced a lengthy ban before its healing drug was renamed from morphine to Med-X.

As a result of this ruling, IllFonic has confirmed that ‘Halloween: The Game’ will not be available for physical or digital sale in either Australia or New Zealand upon its launch. The developer expressed disappointment over the ruling, stating that the team had made “every effort” to secure a rating before the ban was imposed.

Developed by IllFonic and published in collaboration with Gun Interactive, ‘Halloween: The Game’ is set to release on September 8, targeting PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X and S. This title reunites the two studios following their earlier work on ‘Friday the 13th: The Game,’ and brings back longtime ‘Halloween’ producer Malek Akkad along with input from the original director, John Carpenter.

In the multiplayer mode, one player takes on the role of Michael Myers while four others play Haddonfield residents trying to survive the night. The game features a first-person “Killer Sense” perspective for Michael, allowing him to stalk and track his victims. Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game is designed as a period piece, with visuals and technology that reflect its 1970s setting.

This ban has reignited discussions among gamers about the selective nature of drug depictions in video game classification compared to violence. Some have pointed to franchises like ‘Grand Theft Auto,’ which have long included explicit drug content yet still received high age ratings instead of outright bans, highlighting inconsistencies in these decisions.

For now, fans of the ‘Halloween’ franchise in Australia and New Zealand will need to look elsewhere if they want to step into Michael Myers’ shoes when the game launches next month.

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