Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact, the anticipated fighting game, has been banned in Australia by the Australian Classification Board, receiving a Refused Classification rating. This decision, announced December 1st, came without explanation.
Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact Blocked in Australia
Refused Classification Rating
The Refused Classification (RC) rating prohibits the game's sale, rental, advertisement, and import within Australia. The Board stated that the content violates generally accepted community standards and exceeds the limits of even the R18+ and X18+ ratings.While the reasons for RC ratings are usually clear, this decision is surprising. The game's launch trailer showed typical fighting game content, lacking explicit sexual content, graphic violence, or drug use. However, unshown content may be the cause, or potentially correctable errors.
Appealing Refused Classifications: A Track Record
Australia has a history of game bans, with many overturned after revisions. Past examples include Pocket Gal 2 and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, initially banned for sexual content, but later reclassified after edits.
The Classification Board has demonstrated a willingness to reconsider its decisions. Games like Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (initially banned for drug use) and Outlast 2 (modified to remove sexual violence) were eventually approved after changes. By addressing or removing objectionable content, developers can often successfully appeal an RC rating.
Therefore, the Australian ban on Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact isn't necessarily final. The developer or publisher could appeal the decision by justifying the content or making modifications to meet classification standards.