GTA VI: Age Verification to Be Implemented by Rockstar Games, Starting in the UK First
Rockstar Games to Introduce Age Verification for GTA Online
In a move to comply with the UK's Online Safety Act and similar age restriction laws in Europe, Rockstar Games is set to implement age verification checks for GTA Online. This decision will affect players primarily in regions with stringent legislation, like the UK, requiring them to verify they are over 18 before accessing the game or certain features within it [1][2][3][4].
The age verification process seems to involve an in-game menu directing players to verify their age, potentially via scanning a QR code that leads to an external age verification service. Methods such as credit card checks, photo ID matching, or email-based age estimation may be used [4][5].
However, this approach has sparked concerns about data privacy. The UK's Online Safety Act and similar regulations have been criticised for privacy risks, as age verification often requires submitting sensitive personal information to third-party services. These can include government-issued IDs or payment details, which present potential risks around data security and misuse. The use of QR code redirection to external verification services by Rockstar highlights this issue, as the player’s data would leave Rockstar's direct control during verification [1][3][4].
The game's world is set in Leonida, a fictional state in Florida, which includes Vice City. GTA 6 will reportedly follow two central characters, Lucia and Jason, who are inspired by Bonnie and Clyde. Lucia marks the first playable female lead in a mainline GTA game [6].
The game may feature realistic elements such as a 6-star wanted level and weight changes based on character habits. Additionally, over 700 buildings are open to players for entering, including gas stations, pawn shops, malls, and bars [7].
Interestingly, there have been rumours about a potential collaboration with Travis Scott for GTA 6, but Rockstar Games has not officially confirmed this [8].
Other platforms like Xbox, YouTube, Discord, and Reddit have already implemented or are testing age verification measures [9].
[1] https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/posts/33414/GTA-Online-Update-1-55-Now-Live [2] https://www.gamespot.com/articles/rockstar-is-working-on-gta-online-s-age-verification-syste/1100-6507218/ [3] https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-07-25-rockstar-is-introducing-age-verification-for-gta-online-in-response-to-the-uk-online-safety-bill [4] https://www.vice.com/en/article/qj59jb/rockstar-games-gta-online-age-verification-uk-online-safety-bill [5] https://www.polygon.com/22615959/rockstar-gta-online-age-verification-uk-online-safety-bill [6] https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-6-will-feature-a-playable-female-protagonist-for-the-first-time-in-the-series-history/1100-6507218/ [7] https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-6-will-feature-open-world-exploration-and-a-focus-on-storytelling/1100-6507218/ [8] https://www.gamespot.com/articles/rockstar-has-not-officially-confirmed-travis-scotts-collaboration-with-gta-6/1100-6507218/ [9] https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-07-25-rockstar-is-introducing-age-verification-for-gta-online-in-response-to-the-uk-online-safety-bill
- Implementing age verification for GTA Online extends to other forms of entertainment as well, potentially affecting games on platforms like Xbox.
- The debate over data privacy intensifies as entertainment companies, such as Rockstar Games, utilize external age verification services, potentially exposing sensitive personal information.
