Horror fans from Australia and New Zealand deserve to have access to Halloween: The Game

Halloween: The Game is highly anticipated by horror fans around the world, bringing the iconic late 70s slasher Michael Myers and the Halloween franchise as a whole into an interactive multiplayer experience.

Unfortunately, fans in both Australia and New Zealand have now been denied the opportunity to officially purchase and play the game.

The Australian Classification Board has refused to classify the game, meaning it cannot legally be sold in Australia. As a result, the game's publisher has confirmed that the physical and digital versions will also not be sold in New Zealand.

And the reason?

Not Michael Myers.
Not the violence.
Not the kills.
Not the horror.
Its Marijuana

The issue is a gameplay mechanic involving a controlled substance. In the game, players can use a Marijuana, and doing so provides a gameplay advantage buff allowing them to detect an enemy. Under Australia's current classification rules, interactive use of illicit or prescribed drugs that functions as an incentive, boost or gameplay reward is prohibited at every classification level including R18+.

This means that despite the game being designed for an adult audience, there is currently no R18+ classification available that would allow it to be legally sold in Australia.

The solution to this problem should NOT be banning the game.

This is not a request for the rules to be ignored but instead we are asking for the game to be given a pathway to release.

Whether that means modifying or removing the specific mechanic, submitting an altered Australian/New Zealand version for classification, or finding another solution that complies with our local regulations, we want the developers, publisher and relevant legal bodies to work together to make an official release possible.

Australia already has an established classification system that allows mature and adult games to be sold with appropriate age restrictions. We believe adult Australian and New Zealand adults should have the opportunity to make informed decisions about the games they choose to purchase and play.

The irony is that Halloween: The Game can depict the brutal horror and violence associated with Michael Myers, yet a gameplay mechanic involving a controlled substance which is widely accepted nationally and even somewhat decriminalised in some states  is what ultimately prevents the entire game from receiving a classification.

We want a solution — NOT A BAN.

If you're an Australian or New Zealand Halloween fan, a horror fan, a gamer, or simply believe there should be a reasonable pathway for adults to access legally released games, please sign this petition.

We are asking for:

• A reconsideration of the decision preventing Halloween: The Game from being released in Australia and New Zealand.
  
  
• A pathway for a modified or region-specific version of the game to receive classification if necessary.
  
  
• An official legal release rather than forcing Australian and New Zealand players to miss out entirely.
  
  
• Equal access for Australian and New Zealand gamers to experience the game alongside the rest of the world.
  
  We're not asking for special treatment.
  We're asking for a way to play.

Sign the petition and share it with every Halloween, horror fan and gamer you know.

LET US GAME. 🎃🔪