Millions of horror fans will be unable to officially play Halloween: The Game when IllFonic's upcoming multiplayer title launches on September 8 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

The game comes from IllFonic, the studio behind several well-known asymmetrical horror titles, including Friday the 13th: The Game, Predator: Hunting Grounds, and Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game. With its experience adapting major horror franchises into multiplayer games, IllFonic is now turning its attention to one of the genre's most recognizable icons, Michael Myers.Like many of IllFonic's previous projects, Halloween: The Game is built around asymmetrical multiplayer.

One player takes control of Michael Myers, while four other players take on the roles of civilians trying to survive in Haddonfield, the fictional town featured throughout much of the Halloween franchise.

The game will also include a single-player mode focused on Michael Myers, giving players an alternative way to experience the game outside of its main multiplayer format. With the franchise's long history and IllFonic's experience with horror games, there has been plenty of interest surrounding its upcoming release.

However, players in Australia and New Zealand will not be able to officially join the hunt. IllFonic has confirmed that Halloween: The Game was refused classification by the Australian Classification Board. As a result, the game cannot be legally sold digitally or physically in Australia. Despite having its own classification system, New Zealand is also being excluded from the game's official release.

The decision may initially seem like it would be related to the game's violence or horror content, particularly given the presence of Michael Myers. However, the reported reason for the classification refusal is connected to the game's depiction of marijuana use.

In Halloween: The Game, civilian characters can smoke marijuana to help reveal Michael Myers' location. The issue appears to be less about the presence of drugs itself and more about the fact that using them provides players with an in-game advantage.

This distinction is important under Australia's classification rules, where drug use that is linked to a gameplay benefit can create problems for a game's classification.

IllFonic has not announced any changes to the game that would address the issue, although it remains possible that the studio could make adjustments in the future.

For Halloween fans in Australia and New Zealand, the news is understandably disappointing. The game is designed as a celebration of the franchise, with references, Easter eggs, and other details aimed at longtime fans of Michael Myers and the films.

Not being able to purchase the game through official channels also means players in these regions will miss out on supporting IllFonic's work directly. There may be unofficial methods for accessing the game, but those options do not change the fact that Halloween: The Game will not have an official release in Australia or New Zealand at launch.For now, fans in those regions will have to wait and see whether IllFonic makes changes that could eventually allow the game to receive a classification. Until then, Halloween: The Game will remain officially unavailable to a significant portion of the horror gaming community.