Konami’s upcoming horror title, Silent Hill f, has been refused classification (RC) in Australia, meaning the game cannot be legally sold in the country for now. However, this rating was assigned through an automated tool rather than by human review, leaving room for potential reassessment.
Automated Ban: What It Means
The RC rating was issued via the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) tool, a digital system that classifies games based on questionnaire responses. This system is primarily used for mobile and digitally distributed titles, and its automated nature has previously led to higher-than-expected ratings for some games.
Past cases, like Kingdom Come: Deliverance and We Happy Few, also received RC ratings from the IARC tool before being reviewed and released. Since Silent Hill f is expected to have a physical edition, Konami or its third-party distributor will likely have to submit the game for review by the Australian Classification Board, which can override the IARC decision.
Why Was Silent Hill f Refused Classification?
No official reason has been given yet, but Australian classification laws typically refuse classification for games featuring:
- Sexual activity involving minors (real or implied)
- Visual depictions of sexual violence
- Drug use that provides incentives or rewards
The Silent Hill franchise has a history with Australian ratings. Silent Hill: Homecoming (2008) was initially banned due to a graphic torture scene but was later released with modified camera angles. Since 2013, Australia has had an R18+ rating for games, which accommodates extreme violence, making it less likely that gore alone would trigger an RC rating.
What Happens Next?
If Konami intends to release Silent Hill f physically in Australia, it will need to submit the game to the Classification Board, which could result in a revised rating. This means there’s still a strong possibility that the game will be available, possibly with edits if required.
For now, Australian fans will need to wait for an official review to see whether the game will be banned or make it onto store shelves.
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