Halloween: The Game, slated for release in September on Xbox Series X/S and PC, has been denied classification in Australia and New Zealand due to its depiction of drug use. This decision has fueled anxiety among some Grand Theft Auto 6 fans in the region regarding potential content alterations or availability issues for Rockstar's highly anticipated open-world title.
The Australian Classification Board has refused to grant Halloween: The Game a rating, not because of its violent content or the presence of iconic slasher Michael Myers, but because players can consume drugs within the game to gain advantages. The developers confirmed the denial, stating that the inclusion of a controlled substance prevented them from selling the game physically or digitally in Australia and New Zealand.
This situation is reminiscent of past instances where games have faced similar hurdles. Fallout 3, for example, had its in-game drug morphine renamed to Med-X to bypass classification issues, a change that impacted the franchise's lore. The developers of Halloween: The Game believe the Australian Classification Board specifically took issue with the ability for players to use substances like marijuana for in-game bonuses.
Concerns about Grand Theft Auto 6's accessibility in Australia have surfaced online, with players drawing parallels between the Halloween: The Game ban and potential future issues for Rockstar's upcoming release. Adding to these worries, GTA Online recently saw Australian players banned from its in-game casino due to local regulations. While this was attributed to changes in gambling laws, it has left some Australian players apprehensive about Rockstar's ability to offer GTA 6 in the country without modifications.
Despite these concerns, it is widely anticipated that Grand Theft Auto 6 will likely avoid an outright ban or significant content changes. Grand Theft Auto 5 received the highest possible rating in Australia, R18+, which allows for mature content, including references to various illicit substances. Given the scale and expected content of GTA 6, it is probable that it will also receive an R18+ rating and be made available to Australian players, though Rockstar Games has not yet commented on the matter. Halloween: The Game, however, will not be available in Australia or New Zealand this September.