Australia Bans Upcoming Halloween Game Over Drug Content, Sparking Concerns Among GTA 6 Fans

Halloween: The Game is gearing up for its launch this September on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. However, players in Australia and New Zealand will miss out, as the game has been denied classification due to its depiction of drug use. This has left some Grand Theft Auto 6 fans in those regions anxious about potential implications for Rockstar’s highly anticipated open-world title later this year.

On August 9, the official social media account for Halloween: The Game responded to inquiries about the Australian version, delivering disappointing news for fans of Michael Myers and the slasher genre. The Australian media classification board has refused to rate the game, and the reason isn’t the violence or gore, but rather the inclusion of drug use.

“Despite our best efforts, the Australian Classifications Board has denied Halloween: The Game a rating,” the developers stated. “This decision was not influenced by the iconic slasher, Michael Myers, or the impressive kills players can execute, but rather the presence of a controlled substance. Unfortunately, this means we cannot sell the physical or digital versions in Australia and New Zealand.”

The Australian Classification Board (ACB) reportedly denied the rating because the horror game allows players to consume drugs, such as marijuana, to gain in-game advantages. This kind of digital drug use has previously caused issues for other titles. For instance, Fallout 3 had to change the healing drug morphine to Med-X to circumvent a similar ban, which altered the game’s lore.

Interestingly, this news first caught my attention through discussions among GTA 6 fans online. Some players in Australia and New Zealand are worried that Rockstar’s upcoming game might face similar challenges, potentially leading to content changes (like Fallout) or even a ban, as seen with Halloween: The Game.

Adding to the unease, last month, Australian players were barred from gambling in GTA Online’s casino, years after its introduction. This was likely due to recent regulatory changes, raising concerns that Rockstar might struggle to release GTA 6 in Australia.

However, it’s probable that GTA 6 will not face changes or a denied rating. Grand Theft Auto 5 launched in Australia with the highest rating possible, R18+, primarily due to its drug references, and it still includes mentions of marijuana, meth, and other illegal substances. Given the scale of GTA 6, it will likely avoid a complete ban and instead receive the R18+ rating.

Rockstar Games has been contacted regarding the situation. For now, GTA 6 is still on track for a worldwide release on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19, while Halloween: The Game will not be available in Australia or New Zealand this September.