"Hunter x Hunter Game Banned in Australia Mysteriously"

The Australian Classification Board has issued a surprising Refused Classification rating to the eagerly anticipated fighting game, Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact, effectively banning its release in Australia as of December 1. This decision has left fans and industry observers puzzled, as no specific reason was provided by the board for this stringent classification.

Rated with Refused Classification

The Refused Classification rating is the most severe classification a game can receive in Australia, indicating that the game "cannot be sold, hired, advertised or legally imported in Australia." According to the board, content receiving this rating "contains content that is outside generally-accepted community standards and exceeds what can be included in the R 18+ and X 18+ ratings." This classification is typically reserved for content involving high levels of violence, sexual activity, or drug use, which seems at odds with the game's official trailer that showcases typical fighting game action without any explicit scenes.

However, it's possible that the game contains elements not shown in the trailer that led to this decision. Alternatively, there might be clerical errors or other issues that could be addressed in future submissions for a different rating.

The Australian Classification Board is Open to Second Chances

Australia has a history of banning games, with the first being Pocket Gal 2 in 1996 due to its sexual content. Even well-known titles like The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings faced initial bans for similar reasons but were later reclassified to MA 15+ after modifications. The Australian Classification Board has shown willingness to reconsider its decisions if games are edited or censored to meet community standards.

For instance, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut was initially refused classification due to its depiction of drug use but was later deemed acceptable after highlighting the negative consequences of such activities. Similarly, Outlast 2 managed to secure an R18+ rating after removing a scene involving sexual violence.

This precedent suggests that Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact still has a chance to be released in Australia. If the developers or publishers can justify the content or make necessary adjustments to comply with the board's standards, the game could be reconsidered for a more favorable rating. This situation underscores the dynamic nature of game classification and the potential for dialogue and revision in the face of initial bans.