Katarzyna Petru
Rockstar is preparing for significant changes in GTA Online – and not by choice. Due to new legislation regarding "digital safety" in the United Kingdom, the publisher has been forced to implement age verification mechanisms for players. For now, this only applies to the UK, but changes may quickly extend to other European countries. Data miner Tez2 and the Rockstar Intel service have published screenshots from a menu that requires age confirmation before launching online mode. Players will see a screen requesting verification, and if they do not pass it successfully – they will not enter the game.
Rockstar and AI algorithms will check your ID
Although we do not yet have an official statement from Rockstar, leaks clearly suggest that the verification will be based on submitting a photo of your identity card. The entire process is to be analysed by a platform powered by artificial intelligence algorithms, integrated directly with GTA Online. This means that every player will have to prove their age in order to continue using the online mode. This is the first time that such a large title has enforced this type of security – and all indications are that it won't be the last.
Changes first in the UK, then throughout Europe?
The new rules currently apply only to players from the United Kingdom, but similar regulations are also being prepared in France, Spain, Denmark, Greece, and Italy. This could mean that Rockstar is preparing a universal verification system for all of Europe. At this moment, it is unknown whether verification will also appear in GTA 6, but it is hard to imagine that the new installment of the series will avoid this revolution. Times are coming when logging into the game will require not only an email and password – but also a valid ID proving adulthood.
