Australia has just added to its list of banned video games, and not for the reason you expect.
IllFonic shared this update on their official Twitter account for Halloween: The Game:
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 a controlled substance.
Unfortunately, to our disappointment (and certainly yours) this means that we cannot sell the physical or digital product in both Australia and New Zealand.
IllFonic made their name with asymmetric multiplayer games based on movie licenses, including Friday The 13th: The Game, Predator: Hunting Grounds, and Killer Klowns from Outer Space. They announced Halloween: The Game just last year.
While Australia is notorious for refusing classification for video games, their track record does show they have not banned video games only for violence. Their more recent bans for Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact and Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition were for implied sexual violence vs. minors.