Gaming Regulations
Ongoing coverage on Gaming Regulations.
Latest coverage
Xbox to implement age verification in Australia on console and PC in late August
Xbox will implement age verification for users in Australia starting in late August 2026 to comply with R18+ game access regulations. Users will need to verify their age through methods like email, facial scan, or ID to access rated 18+ content on the Microsoft and Xbox Store for both console and PC. This follows similar age verification rollouts by Sony and Valve in other regions.
Evening Legal Briefs
This article rounds up recent legal news affecting the gaming and tech industries. Grand Theft Auto 6 players in Australia will require identification to play, while OpenAI faces copyright challenges from news organizations.
UK Gamers Question Hobby's Future as Government Bans Kids from Social Media
The UK government is planning to ban social media access for individuals aged 16 and under, sparking discussions about potential future regulations on online gaming. While the proposed ban explicitly excludes multiplayer gaming, concerns remain that it could lead to similar restrictions on online game participation. This initiative follows the UK's existing age verification processes for online content, including communication features on consoles like the PlayStation 5.
Microsoft Seemingly Working on Game Pass For China
Microsoft appears to be preparing to launch Xbox Game Pass in China, with datamined files from the Xbox PC app referencing "Project Saluki" for market expansion. The service is expected to feature a curated selection of games to comply with the region's strict gaming regulations. Additionally, a feature called "Positron" was discovered, potentially enabling a Disc2Digital service for physical game licenses.
