Konami's upcoming game, Silent Hill f, has been refused classification (RC) in Australia, which means it cannot be sold in the country at this time. This 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 unlikely that this will be the final decision on the game's classification.
Konami does not handle its own distribution in Australia; IGN has reached out to their third-party distribution partner for comment. The specific reasons for Silent Hill f's RC rating have not been disclosed yet. Since the introduction of the adults-only R18+ category for games in Australia in January 2013, games are typically refused classification only for content involving sexual activity with a person who appears to be under 18, visual depictions of sexual violence, or linking incentives and rewards to drug use. Previously, Silent Hill: Homecoming was refused classification in 2008 due to a high-impact torture scene, but this was before the R18+ rating was introduced. It was later released with modified camera angles and received an MA15+ rating.
It's important to note that Silent Hill f's RC rating was determined by the IARC's online tool, which is designed for mobile and digitally delivered games. This tool involves a questionnaire about the game's content, and it automatically assigns ratings based on the standards of participating countries, including Australia. The decision is then published on Australia's National Classification Database.
In Australia, the IARC tool is used exclusively for digitally distributed games, having been adopted in 2014 due to the overwhelming number of games released annually on platforms like the iOS app store. There have been instances where the IARC's automated ratings have been higher than those assigned by the Australian Classification Board. For example, in 2019, games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance and We Happy Few were mistakenly reported as banned in Australia.
The IARC tool is free, which is advantageous for small publishers and developers. However, all physical game releases must still be rated by the Classification Board. If Silent Hill f plans a physical release in Australia, it would need to be submitted to the Classification Board regardless. The Board has the authority to override any IARC-assigned classification if it deems it necessary.
In Australia, game publishers can employ staff as accredited classifiers or authorized assessors. Accredited classifiers are trained by the Classification Board and can make official classification decisions. Authorized assessors, on the other hand, can only make recommendations to the Board, which then makes the final decision.
At this point, it's too early to determine whether Silent Hill f's RC rating will be upheld following further review. Notably, Silent Hill f is the first game in the series to receive an 18+ rating in Japan.
