Halloween: The Game is set to receive a digital release in New Zealand on September 8, IllFonic has confirmed, after initial confusion stemming from a classification refusal in Australia.
The Australian Classification Board recently denied the game a rating due to the depiction of a controlled substance, which has been widely reported to involve a cannabis mechanic for the game's civilian characters. At the time of the refusal, IllFonic stated that the decision would prevent the sale of both physical and digital versions in Australia and New Zealand.
However, IllFonic has since clarified that the classification processes for the two territories operate under different systems. The Australian Classification Board's rating is primarily for physical media, whereas New Zealand's digital releases are governed by the Interactive Australian and New Zealand Rating Association (IARC) rating system, or can be sold digitally without classification.
New Zealand's Office of Film and Literature Classification confirmed that the game was never submitted for local classification, and no ruling exists to prevent its digital release in the country. This means that while the Australian market remains blocked from accessing the game, New Zealand players will be able to purchase it digitally.
The physical edition of Halloween: The Game is scheduled for release on October 6 in territories outside of Australia and New Zealand. The game aims to capture the atmosphere of the 1978 film, featuring multiple maps set in authentic Haddonfield locations and a soundtrack inspired by John Carpenter's score. It will include the familiar asymmetrical multiplayer mode alongside an offline single-player story mode with bot opponents.