Former Grand Theft Auto developer Obbe Vermeij has weighed in on Rockstar’s thoughts about the age verification rules that could hit GTA 6.
Video games, like movies and TV shows, have had age requirements for quite some time. These prevent stores from selling them to anyone underage or anyone without parental permission. However, age verification is becoming more commonplace across the internet.
Age verification has become a massive talking point in the UK, especially with the current government implementing necessary checks for anyone trying to view adult content.
It has also crept into gaming as well, with Rockstar Games laying the foundations for age verification in Grand Theft Auto 6. According to TezFun, the GTA developers have started work on age verification for anyone who wants to access GTA Online, in-game messages, and even Snapmatic.
Ex-GTA dev isn’t too worried about in-game age verification
That has led to some fans to question if age verification would, in fact, hinder Grand Theft Auto 6’s sales figures, as some players would be unable to access GTA Online.
“Not something publishers like to do but they may not have a choice with the new laws in some countries & states,” former Grand Theft Auto dev Obbe Vermeij said, replying to one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
“It could hinder sales a little bit. I think the audience for GTA is older now than previously,” he added. “My money would still be on 6 outselling 5 eventually.”
As Vermeij points out, the age verification rules likely wouldn’t be disastrous for GTA 6. The game’s hype is on another level compared to everything else, and fans are eagerly awaiting it’s arrival.
Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick has also been responding to rumors about the upcoming title. The GTA 6 publisher wouldn’t put a solid price tag on the new game when asked about the $100 rumors.