Developer IllFonic has confirmed that Halloween: The Game will be available for purchase in New Zealand. The announcement follows initial reports that the title would be excluded from both Australia and New Zealand after it was refused classification (RC) by the Australian Classification Board (ACB).
Digital Availability Clarified
While physical copies remain unavailable due to current classification hurdles, the studio stated that after receiving additional guidance from New Zealand’s Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC), the game will be sold digitally in the territory.
The confusion regarding the New Zealand release stemmed from how physical distribution partnerships operate. Because the developer relies on third-party partners for physical goods in Oceania, the ACB rating—which is used for physical media—took precedence over the digital-only IARC rating. The resulting RC determination in Australia triggered a removal of both physical and digital versions in those territories.
The Cause of the 'Refused Classification'
The Australian Classification Board's decision centers on a specific gameplay mechanic. According to the board, the game contains illicit drug use that is linked to an incentive or reward, as the consumption of drugs provides a gameplay advantage. Under Australian guidelines, games cannot offer gameplay rewards or incentives linked to drug use, leading to the mandatory RC designation.
While other developers have previously bypassed this issue by renaming in-game items or altering descriptions to meet local standards, it remains unconfirmed if IllFonic will pursue similar changes to the game's content to reverse the Australian classification decision.