The United Kingdom is beginning to apply the law designed to protect users from content deemed too violent or harmful to children. While pornography is the main topic involved in this, video games are also in the authorities’ sights.
For example, Microsoft has begun to introduce the famous age verification for accessing the Xbox platforms. This is optional as of now, but will become mandatory from 2026 onwards. Those wishing to chat by voice or message with people outside their friends list will be required to provice proof of identity or even bank details.
PlayStation and Nintendo have yet to implement something of the likes in the UK. Those that don’t comply with the law can be fined up to £18 million or 10% of worldwide revenues.
Last but not least, Internet users have already found ways to get around this system. It seems that the photo mode from Death Stranding 2 or even an image of a wrestler from WWE 2K25 are enough to fool age verification.
