Konami's eagerly anticipated Silent Hill f has encountered a roadblock in Australia, where it has been refused classification, preventing its sale in the country at present. This "Refused Classification" (RC) rating was assigned by an automated tool from the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), rather than by members of the Australian Classification Board. Given past experiences, this might not signify the end of the road for Silent Hill f in Australia.

Konami does not directly distribute its games in Australia, but IGN has reached out to their third-party distributor for a statement.

The precise reasons behind Silent Hill f's RC rating remain undisclosed. Since the introduction of the R18+ category for video games in Australia in January 2013, games are typically refused classification only due to content involving sexual activity with someone appearing to be under 18, depictions of sexual violence, or linking incentives and rewards to drug use. A previous entry in the series, Silent Hill: Homecoming, was initially refused classification in 2008 over a high-impact torture scene. However, this was before the R18+ rating was introduced, which now allows for higher levels of violence. Silent Hill: Homecoming was eventually released in Australia with modified camera angles for the contentious scene, receiving an MA15+ rating.

In Australia, the IARC tool is used exclusively for digitally distributed games, a practice adopted in 2014 due to the overwhelming number of games released annually on platforms like the iOS app store. There have been instances where the IARC's automated ratings have been higher than those assigned by the Australian Classification Board. For example, in 2019, games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance and We Happy Few were mistakenly reported as banned in Australia.

The IARC tool is free, making it particularly advantageous for smaller publishers and developers. However, all physical game releases must still be rated by the Classification Board. If Silent Hill f is planned for a physical release in Australia, a submission to the Classification Board would be necessary regardless. The Classification Board has the authority to override any IARC-assigned rating if it deems it necessary.

In Australia, game publishers can employ staff as accredited classifiers or authorized assessors. Accredited classifiers are trained by the Classification Board and can make official classification decisions. Authorized assessors, while also trained, can only make recommendations to the Classification Board, which then makes the final decision.

At this point, it's premature to determine whether Silent Hill f's RC rating in Australia will be upheld following further review. Notably, Silent Hill f is the first game in the series to receive an 18+ rating in Japan.