‘Halloween: The Game’ Finds a Way Into New Zealand After Australian Classification Ban

Well, Michael Myers may not be welcome in Australia, but you can’t kill the Boogeyman that easily.

Just a week after Halloween: The Game announced that it had been denied classification by the Australian Classification Board, the developers have revealed some very good news for horror fans in New Zealand: the game will be available digitally in the country after all.

The original decision was particularly bizarre because, according to the developers, the problem wasn’t Michael Myers, the game’s gruesome kills, or any of the other carnage taking place around Haddonfield. Instead, the Australian board refused classification because of the presence of a controlled substance.

At the time, that ruling also appeared to kill the game’s release in New Zealand. Now, after receiving additional guidance from New Zealand’s Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC), the developers have found a way forward.

Here’s the newly released statement in full:

So, to clarify the situation: Halloween: The Game remains unavailable for sale in Australia, while New Zealand will regain access to the digital version. Based on the statement, the physical edition remains unavailable in New Zealand.

The irony remains pretty spectacular considering carries an ESRB rating in the United States for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, and Use of Drugs.