Australians attempting to access online games with an R18+ classification will soon need to prove their age, and if publishers don't comply they could face fines of nearly AU$50 million. The change applies to online games only—in other words, singleplayer, offline games with an R18+ rating, like Doom Eternal, don't need to worry—but it will affect GTA Online.
The new requirement, which comes in effect on Monday, will also affect pornography and "explicit" AI chatbots, according to SMH. It's all part of measures taken under the new Age-Restricted Material Codes which, according to a release from Australia's eSafety Commissioner, covers "most corners of the online ecosystem".
