Starting May 20, 2025, Genshin Impact players in the United States will be required to verify their age to continue accessing the game. This mandate follows a $20 million settlement between developer HoYoverse and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), addressing allegations related to the game’s monetization practices and data collection methods.
Why Is Age Verification Being Implemented?
The FTC accused HoYoverse of deceptive practices concerning its gacha system—where players spend real money for a chance to obtain rare in-game items. Specifically, the company was alleged to have misrepresented the odds of winning valuable items and to have marketed these loot boxes to minors without appropriate parental consent. Additionally, the FTC claimed that HoYoverse collected personal data from children under 13 without adhering to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
In response, HoYoverse agreed to implement age verification measures to ensure compliance with U.S. laws and to enhance transparency in its monetization strategies.
Key Dates and Requirements
- May 20, 2025: Age verification process becomes available for all U.S. players.
- July 18, 2025: Deadline to complete age verification. Failure to do so will result in:
- Account suspension.
- Deletion of in-game friends and chat records.
- Cessation of further notifications due to inaccessible account information.
- July 20, 2026: Accounts that remain unverified will have all personal information deleted permanently.
Players under 16 will still be able to play Genshin Impact but will require parental consent to make in-game purchases involving loot boxes.
Additional Measures from the Settlement
Beyond age verification, HoYoverse has committed to:
- Disclosing accurate odds for obtaining items from loot boxes.
- Providing a transparent transaction system that allows direct payments with real money, eliminating the need for multi-tiered virtual currencies.
- Deleting personal data collected from children under 13 unless parental consent is obtained.
These steps aim to address concerns about the game’s monetization practices and to protect younger players from potentially exploitative systems.
Community Response
The announcement has elicited mixed reactions within the Genshin Impact community. Some players appreciate the increased transparency and protective measures for minors. Others express concern over the potential loss of data and the impact on players who may be unaware of the new requirements, especially those taking extended breaks from the game.
Discussions have also emerged regarding the methods of age verification, with players debating the balance between effective enforcement and user privacy.
Steps for Players
To ensure uninterrupted access to Genshin Impact:
- Log in to your account starting May 20, 2025.
- Complete the age verification process as prompted.
- If under 16, ensure that parental consent is provided for any in-game purchases involving loot boxes.
Players are encouraged to complete this process promptly to avoid account suspension or data loss.
HoYoverse’s settlement with the FTC marks a significant moment in the gaming industry’s ongoing dialogue about monetization practices and player protection. As regulatory bodies continue to scrutinize in-game purchasing systems, developers may need to adopt more transparent and ethical approaches to game design and monetization.
For Genshin Impact players, staying informed about these changes and complying with the new requirements will be essential to continue enjoying the game without interruption.
