Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia chief Ron Curry said: "With the average age of gamers being 28, it makes no sense to censor games to a point where they are only appropriate for a 15 year old.
"Such censorship would not be acceptable on television, at the cinema or in print, so why apply it unfairly to another entertainment medium?"
Retailers will offer a refund on pre-ordered games although have said that they'll encourage customers to "wait out" the banning in the hope of a censored version being delivered before the end of the year. That's what happened with Fallout 3 earlier this year.
Curry continued: "Silent Hill, from the beginning of the franchise, has been about exploring the horror genre through interactive entertainment, similar to other mediums such as movies and books.
"To have such a high quality narrative receiving a Refused Classification only further highlights the need for an immediate review of the classification system."
On the other side is chief executive of the Australian Industry Group, Heather Ridout. Although she supported the controversial work of photographer Bill Henson, she said she found violent games "appalling."
"Grand Theft Auto was one of the more famous games and seemed to turn everyone into a car thief," Ridout said. "Violent games... violence, it breeds violence."
Journalist James Cottee said that there seemed to be a "prejudice" against games that ignored their artistic value and the gratification people get out of playing them.
"Games are a legitimate art form just like books or film or anything else. This stigma that they're somehow tawdry, is just that – an irrational prejudice," he said.
"[Silent Hill games] are pretty spooky and atmospheric and aimed at a more mature gamer, or at least one who isn't easily frightened," Cottee continued. "That's why you (should) have higher ratings, so that people can make informed choices.
"I think it's always unfair when the government makes choices for you and takes things out of your hands."
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"Such censorship would not be acceptable on television, at the cinema or in print, so why apply it unfairly to another entertainment medium?"
...seriously, what an idiotic thing to say. I love games like GTA 'cause I get to expressly do what I'd never do in real life. That's what games are for, to escape reality...not alter what we do in reality.
I really wish they open their eyes and stop all this censor shit. If they think it's inappropriate for younger people, how's about make it so they can't get it? Y'know...an R rating? Jeez, we need one. Dumbing down the games is so stupid...makes me glad I can import these days.