Silent Hill: Homecoming Unbanned In Australia

Dan Chiappini for GameSpot.com writes: "Australia's strict video game classification regime claimed several high-profile game casualties during 2008. Shellshock 2: Blood Trails, Silent Hill: Homecoming, Dark Sector, F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin, and Fallout 3 were all refused the maximum MA15+ rating, effectively banning them from sale down under. The latter three games were eventually passed fit for sale either by resubmission with edited content or through the appeals process. However, despite being banned in late September, Silent Hill: Homecoming's fate has remained unknown until now, with the game sitting in refused-classification limbo.

An update to the Classification Board's online rating database dated January 5, 2009 now clearly lists Silent Hill: Homecoming as conforming to the maximum MA15+ rating for video games, making it legal to be sold in Australia. The site lists the rating as "revised," with consumer advice identifying strong horror violence and themes."