Last year, Microsoft launched a test system to verify the age of UK players. It has been fully deployed this year, and the majority of its yet-to-be-confirmed players are limited in some social features – being able to communicate only with contacts on their friends list.
New rules in the UK (the Online Safety Act) are about to come into effect and some games will now restrict certain features to users who have not verified that they are over 18. Especially in Forza Horizon 6, no proof of age is required will be blocked There are several possibilities:
- auction
- event lab
- exhibit
- uniform
- Adjust settings
- Upgrade kit
Obviously, decisions to limit certain features will be made individually for specific projects. And the general game rating system does not affect them. For example, in the UK, the European PEGI system is used, which gives Forza Horizon 6 a “3+” rating, but certain features will be individually restricted for those under the legal age of majority.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is expanding age verification to more regions this year. But it also automates things for many users with old Xbox accounts.