Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact Banned in Australia, No Reason Given

Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact Banned in Australia: A Surprising Development

The Australian Classification Board's refusal to classify Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact, effectively banning its release in Australia, has sent shockwaves through the gaming community. The decision, delivered on December 1st, came without explanation, leaving fans and developers alike puzzled.

A Refused Classification: What it Means

A "Refused Classification" (RC) rating means the game is prohibited from sale, rental, advertisement, or import within Australia. The board's statement indicates the content breaches generally accepted community standards, exceeding the limits of even the R 18+ and X 18+ categories.

This is surprising, given the game's promotional material shows typical fighting game fare, devoid of overt sexual content, graphic violence, or drug use. While unseen content might be the cause, the possibility of clerical errors also exists.

Hope for an Appeal: A Track Record of Reconsideration

The Australian Classification Board isn't unfamiliar with controversy and reversals. Numerous games have faced initial bans, only to be later reclassified after modifications. Examples include Pocket Gal 2, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, and Outlast 2. These cases demonstrate the board's willingness to reconsider decisions if developers address concerns through content edits, censorship, or sufficient justification.

For instance, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut's depiction of drug use was ultimately deemed acceptable due to its portrayal of negative consequences. Similarly, Outlast 2 secured an R18+ rating after removing a scene of sexual violence.

The path forward for Hunter x Hunter: Nen Impact remains open. The developers can appeal the decision by providing content justifications or making alterations to meet classification standards. The lack of a stated reason, however, adds an element of uncertainty to the process.