Konami's highly anticipated game, Silent Hill f, has encountered a hurdle in Australia, where it has been refused classification (RC rating). This rating prevents the game from being sold in the country at this time. However, the RC rating was assigned by an automated tool from the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), rather than by the Australian Classification Board directly. Given past precedents, it's unlikely that this will be the final decision on the game's fate in Australia.
Konami does not handle its own distribution in Australia; instead, it relies on a third-party distributor, which IGN has reached out to for comment. The specific reasons for Silent Hill f's RC rating have not yet been disclosed. In Australia, since the introduction of the R18+ category for games in January 2013, games are typically refused classification only if they contain sexual activity involving individuals who appear to be under 18, visual depictions of sexual violence, or incentives tied to drug use. An earlier game in the series, Silent Hill: Homecoming, was initially refused classification in 2008 due to a high impact torture scene, but it was later released with modified camera angles and given an MA15+ rating after the introduction of the R18+ category.
It's important to note that *Silent Hill f*'s RC rating was assigned via an IARC online tool, designed for mobile and digitally delivered games. This tool uses a questionnaire to assess game content and 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 specifically for digitally distributed games and was adopted in 2014 to manage the overwhelming number of games released on platforms like the iOS app store. There have been instances where automated IARC ratings have been higher than those assigned by human classifiers on the Australian Classification Board. For example, games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance and We Happy Few were initially reported as banned in Australia due to automated ratings, but these reports were incorrect.
The IARC tool's free usage is particularly beneficial for small publishers and developers. However, all physical game releases must still be reviewed by the Australian Classification Board, which has the authority to override any IARC-assigned rating. If Silent Hill f is planning a physical release in Australia, a submission to the Classification Board would be necessary regardless.
In Australia, game publishers can employ staff as accredited classifiers or authorized assessors. Accredited classifiers, after completing training from the Classification Board, can officially classify games themselves. Authorized assessors, with similar training, can only make recommendations to the Classification Board, which then makes the final decision.
At this stage, it remains uncertain whether Silent Hill f's RC rating in Australia will be upheld after further review. Notably, Silent Hill f has already received an 18+ rating certification in Japan, marking a significant milestone for the franchise.
