Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact, the anticipated fighting game, has been banned in Australia by the Australian Classification Board, receiving a Refused Classification (RC) rating on December 1st. The Board offered no explanation for this surprising decision.
Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact Banned Down Under
Refused Classification: No Release in Australia
An RC rating prohibits the sale, rental, advertising, and importation of the game within Australia. The Board's statement indicates the content violates community standards and surpasses the thresholds of even the R18+ and X18+ ratings.While the reasons for an RC rating are generally well-defined, the decision regarding Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact is unexpected. The game's launch trailer lacks explicit sexual content, graphic violence, or drug use, presenting itself as a standard fighting game.
However, unshown content might exist, or the game may contain correctable errors.
A Path to Reconsideration: The Australian Classification Board's Flexibility
Australia's history with game bans and subsequent reversals is well-documented. From the 1996 ban of Pocket Gal 2 to the initial rejection of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (later overturned after edits), the Board has demonstrated a willingness to reconsider.
The Board's approach is not inflexible. Successful appeals have occurred through content editing, censorship, or providing sufficient justification. Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, initially refused classification due to its depiction of drug use, ultimately received approval after its portrayal of the negative consequences was deemed acceptable.
Similarly, Outlast 2 secured an R18+ rating after modifications removed a scene depicting sexual violence. Developers can often overcome an RC rating by addressing explicit content or removing objectionable elements.
Therefore, the Australian ban doesn't necessarily signal the end for Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact. The developer or publisher can appeal the decision by justifying the content or making appropriate changes to meet classification standards.
