This effectively bans the game in both countries because, without a rating, it cannot be sold there.
IllFonic’s asymmetrical horror game Halloween: The Game did not receive a rating from the Australian Classification Board, meaning it is banned from sale in Australia and New Zealand. The developer confirmed the decision on Twitter, stating that the rejection was not due to the appearance of the iconic killer Michael Myers or the spectacular murders that can be carried out in the game, but rather to the depiction of a controlled substance.

Despite every effort on our part, the Australian Classifications Board has denied “Halloween: The Game” a rating. The denial 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…

— Halloween: The Game (@HalloweenTVG) August 9, 2026

“Despite every effort on our part, the Australian Classification Board has denied ‘Halloween: The Game’ a rating. The denial was not based on the presence of the iconic slasher, Michael Myers, or the spectacular murders that can be committed in the game, but rather on the presence of a controlled substance.” Unfortunately, this means that we cannot sell the physical or digital product in both Australia and New Zealand,” wrote IllFonic.
Several reports suggest that the substance in question is cannabis, which allegedly provides players controlling Michael Myers with an in-game advantage. IllFonic has not confirmed this, and the rejection has not yet appeared in the Classification Board’s public registry. It is unclear at this time whether IllFonic plans to modify the game for the Australian and New Zealand markets or if the ban will affect the game’s release in other countries in September.
The Australian Classification Board has previously rejected game ratings due to depictions of illegal drugs and certain violent scenes. For example, in 2024, the ACB rejected the game Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact due to implied sexual violence. In 2021, Disco Elysium: A Final Cut was released in Australia for consoles after the original ban was lifted.
The draconian restrictions in place remain very much in effect, and it doesn’t look like we can expect any change in the long term. There might be a twist in the IllFonic case, but we don’t think so.
Source: Gamingindustry (https://www.gamesindustry.biz/halloween-the-game-denied-classification-in-australia-and-new-zealand-over-drug-depiction)