Outlast 2 Has Been Refused Classification In Australia

Scheduled for release on April 25, Outlast 2 will no longer be released in Australia after it was refused classification.

Update: Kotaku Australia has received a copy of the Classification Board’s report, which explains their reasons for slapping an RC rating on Outlast 2. You can see the full reasoning in the story below:

The Classification Board issued its ruling against Outlast 2 yesterday, with Games 1(a) cited. 1(a) is a classification given to games that “depict, express or otherwise deal with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that they should not be classified”.

It’s an intriguing decision given that the demo for Outlast 2 received an R18+ rating from Australia’s censors in September. The demo was given strong and high impact ratings for themes and violence.

We will keep you posted as more information comes to hand surrounding the board’s ruling. Kotaku has also contacted the game’s publisher for comment, and we’ll update this story as soon as they respond.