UPDATE 24/3/25: In a statement to Eurogamer, the Australian Classification Board has suggested Silent Hill f’s Refused Classification (RC) rating - which was recently spotted on its database - was published in error, noting a decision about its classification is yet to be made.
“Silent Hill f is not currently classified as ‘Refused Classification’ in Australia,” a spokesperson for the Australian Classification Board told Eurogamer. “The 14 March 2025 entry on the National Classification Database has been removed. A classification decision will be published to the National Classification Database ahead of the game’s release.”
Silent Hill f - the first game in the series to be set in Japan - doesn’t currently have a released date, but Konami recently shared more about the project in a dedicated showcase.
It’s since been given an MA15+ rating (thanks @Kelly !)
Original text:
Silent Hill f has been refused classification in Australia.
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts’ Classification Board (IARC) has not detailed why, exactly, the horror has been denied release, but simply invites people to contact the organisation if they want more information (so I have - I’ll update as/when I hear back).
Step one: Submit a bunch of bullshit answers to the classifications request form.
Step two: Trigger some algorithm that initially refuses classification.
Step three: Press release saying your game was banned in Australia.
Step four: Free Press!!
Step five: Get your classification when a human gets around to your title and have far higher interest in your game because of the press.
This whole episode fails the sniff test. I think Konami did this on purpose to intentionally rustle your jimmies.