Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact, the anticipated fighting game, has been banned in Australia by the Australian Classification Board, receiving a Refused Classification rating on December 1st. The Board offered no explanation for this surprising decision.
Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact Banned in Australia
Refused Classification: No Release Down Under
This Refused Classification means the game cannot be sold, rented, advertised, or imported into Australia. The Board's statement indicates the content violates generally accepted community standards, exceeding the limits of even the R 18+ and X 18+ ratings.While the reasons for Refused Classification are usually clear-cut, this decision is unexpected. The game's launch trailer showed no explicit sexual content, graphic violence, or drug use; it appeared as a standard fighting game. However, unshown content may be the cause, or there might be correctable errors.
Hope for a Reconsideration
Australia has a history of game bans and subsequent reversals. The Classification Board's decisions aren't always final. Games like The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings initially received Refused Classification but were later approved after modifications.
The Board is open to reconsidering its rulings if developers make changes. Examples include Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (drug use portrayal adjusted) and Outlast 2 (sexual violence scene removed). By addressing problematic content or removing objectionable material, developers can often overturn a Refused Classification.
Therefore, the Australian ban on Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact isn't necessarily permanent. The developer or publisher could appeal the decision by justifying the content or modifying it to meet Australian standards. The possibility of a future release in Australia remains open.
