Australian gamers will soon face a whole new requirement before taking to the streets in the most anticipated video game in history. Anyone wanting to play the new version will have to show a valid driver’s licence to gain full access.
The release of Grand Theft Auto VI, or GTA 6, is expected worldwide on November 19. Gamers in Australia will have to go through a compulsory age verification process before they can play online games because of the stringent laws of the eSafety Commissioner in Australia.
New digital rules change the game down under
At the start of the year, the Australian government enacted stringent online safety laws to protect minors from having access to objectionable online material. These laws require companies to authenticate their clients based on their maturity rather than allow them to simply claim that they are adults. Consequently, players need to provide the required verification details instead of just verifying their age by clicking a button.
These regulations are in line with already existing regulations available on many online platforms like Roblox and social networking applications. The requirements for GTA 6 are even more intimidating because of the nature of the game. Developers must adhere to these rules, and companies that fail to comply with the rules risk severe civil penalties. Moreover, courts can impose massive fines – reaching up to $49.5 million per breach for non-compliant game studios.
Consequently, gaming studios cannot afford to skip these identity checks. Players will find themselves completely blocked from online features until they present valid identification and pass through the system.
How the verification system handles player identity
Local players do not need to worry about long delays when the game finally launches. Rockstar Games has already built and launched an age verification system for current GTA Online users. This existing setup will carry right over to the new title when it hits shelves later this year.
To pass the check, players must use accepted forms of identification. A valid driver’s license serves as the easiest option for most adults. However, other official documents can work within the system as well. The identity system checks the details instantly and links the verified status directly to the user account.
This isn’t the first time Riot has required players to meet new access requirements. When the open beta for League of Legends: Wild Rift launched in 2020, Riot blocked VPN access from regions outside the beta to prevent server issues. The company cited “unplayable lag spikes for everyone” and language barriers as reasons for the change.
On the other hand, privacy specialists suggest that users seek advice from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner to keep their data secure during such online verifications. The verification process simply verifies that the user is at least eighteen years of age – it does not save any additional personal information on the servers. After confirming the age, the system automatically grants the user full access to that account.
The long wait for a massive global event
Gamers have been looking forward to this new title for over a decade. With its last installment, Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013, diehards have spent more than thirteen years waiting for a full-fledged sequel. Thus, they are elevating this release from that of a mere product launch to an extraordinary world event.
Pre-orders were opened up for local customers just recently, and the response was incredible. According to rough estimates, the title has already earned around $5.8 billion globally since the launch of pre-orders. Australia will become one of the first countries to access the game because of the time zone peculiarities and the servers going live at midnight.
As for those who have never heard of the series before, it allows players to play in big open-world locations. Players can complete story missions, steal cars, create havoc, and enjoy the amazing in-game radio stations.
The new game will set a new level in open-world gaming experience, allowing players to explore an outstanding environment. Players can explore the detailed virtual environment, but local users must clear the age barrier before stepping into the online world with friends.
What players need to do before launch day
Before launch day, players need to prepare all of the necessary documents. Gamers must check their publisher accounts so that they are active and updated. Furthermore, completing the identity check on existing online modes right now will save plenty of time when the new title unlocks.
Creating the account beforehand is a guarantee that you will not waste time on the release day itself. Although the automated system can do thousands of checks every minute, there could be some delays in the launch traffic.
Thus, doing the verification now allows immediate access to the game when it finally appears on the market. Taking a few minutes to clear the age barrier now means you can jump straight into the driver’s seat without any frustrating technical stops on launch day.
