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Topics: Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Tech
Topics: Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Tech
Xbox users are starting to become affected by a controversial new rule that’s booting them out of games they're currently playing.
Over the past few months in the United Kingdom, age verification has really taken off as the government cracks down on what content can now be accessed online and by whom.
Social media and adult websites have been the primary target but it’s also extended to gaming, with Microsoft supporting the UK government’s efforts by requiring Xbox accounts to verify their age in order to access social features.
These age verifications have now begun to roll out and as you’d expect, it’s already causing chaos and outrage.
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Rather than asking users to verify when they next boot up the console, some of these checks are being demanded while you’re playing a game. Xbox users have reported that their gameplay has been abruptly stopped in order to verify which I’d imagine would be especially annoying if you’re playing online. I haven’t been hit with such a thing yet but it’s probably on the way.
Given the severity of the checks, it’s not just a five minute job either, so some users have reported spending hours away from their favourite games while Microsoft confirms they’re able to keep playing them.
This isn’t a guide on how to circumvent the age verification checks as you need to do it if you want to keep using your Xbox.
My best advice though is to just submit your verification now rather than have Xbox force it on you later.
You can do so through Xbox Support on either your laptop or mobile device but I believe doing it on your phone is easiest. If done right, it shouldn’t take too long and then you can play your games worry free, as Xbox won’t harass you to verify for a second time, or at least I hope not.
It sucks. It’s a hassle and it begs the question why age verification would be necessary when so many of our accounts were created all the way back in the Xbox 360 days but there’s no getting around it.
While I do think it’s a pain though, I’m also all for making online spaces safer for everyone, and if these age verification procedures keep kids away from content they shouldn’t be consuming, that’s a win in my book.