YouTube has announced a new policy change for “graphic gaming content” that will age-restrict games for being too violent ahead of GTA 6’s release.
YouTube has always had policies prohibiting graphic and violent content on the platform, but as of November 17, those rules will start applying to video games as well.
On October 28, the Google-owned video platform announced a series of changes on the way, including stricter rules on online gambling content and a ban on ads or promotions involving gambling with digital items such as Counter-Strike 2 skins.
Among those updates are new changes for video games, and it sounds like GTA 6 will definitely be affected by these rules.
YouTube age restricts gaming content containing “mass violence”
In a blog post, YouTube announced how the changes will work and when they will apply.
“We will age-restrict an additional small subset of video game content featuring realistic human characters that focuses on scenes of torture or scenes of mass violence against non-combatants,” they explained.
This would, naturally, include plenty of Grand Theft Auto videos, as players often upload clips of themselves mowing down waves of civilians before escaping police after acquiring a maximum wanted level.
According to YouTube, several factors will be used when considering whether the content will be age-restricted, including if the graphic scene is sustained, if the violence is zoomed in or the main focus of the video, and if the characters are realistic.
“Content uploaded before November 17, 2025, that violates these guidelines may be removed or age-restricted, but will not result in a strike. Remember, age-restricted videos can stay on your channel for 18+ audiences,” the platform advised.
However, just like with the platform’s wider policies on graphic violence, violations can lead to strikes, and three strikes within 90 days can lead to a channel’s termination.
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