In a surprising turn of events, plot details of the highly anticipated but yet unannounced game, Silent Hill: The Short Message, have been leaked by the Australian government's rating body. This revelation confirms the existence of the game, which was first mentioned back in September 2022 when it received a rating from The Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea.

The leaked information was spotted by a Reddit user, silent-mario, who found the details included in the annual report published on the website of the Australian Classification Board. According to the report, Silent Hill: The Short Message has been classified as "MA 15+", indicating that it is legally restricted to individuals over the age of 15.

The game is set in modern-day Germany and follows the story of the protagonist Anita as she explores an apartment building in search of answers about her friend's mysterious disappearance. However, as the report highlights, players should be aware that the game contains strong suicide themes, horror violence, and coarse language.

Disturbing cutscenes depicted in the report show acts of self-harm from a first-person perspective and a character taking her own life by jumping off a rooftop, portrayed in both first-person and third-person perspectives. These scenes are followed by black screens with white text that encourage players to seek treatment and support if they or others are at risk of self-harm or struggling with mental health issues.

The Australian Classification Board justified its MA 15+ rating by emphasizing that the depictions of self-harm and suicide in the game are accompanied by a broader discourse on mental health issues. The inclusion of helpful messages and support numbers throughout the game aims to raise awareness and encourage players to seek assistance when needed.

It is worth mentioning that the existence of Silent Hill: The Short Message has not been confirmed officially by Konami, the game's publisher. However, the leaks, which have been circulating since 2020, have kept speculation alive among fans of the Silent Hill franchise.

As this news unfolds, it is important to provide support for those who may find the content distressing. In the UK and Ireland, the Samaritans can be reached at 116 123, while in the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-8255. For those in Australia, Lifeline offers crisis support at 13 11 14. Additionally, international suicide helplines can be found at Befrienders Worldwide, and more information on helplines in Europe can be accessed via Mental Health Europe.

As the anticipation continues to build around Silent Hill: The Short Message, fans and industry observers eagerly await an official announcement from Konami regarding the game's release.