Genshin Impact to Require Age Verification in the United States Amidst FTC Settlement Compliance
HoYoverse introduces mandatory age verification for U.S. players following legal action over deceptive in-game monetization practices.
HoYoverse, the developer of the globally popular Genshin Impact, has officially announced that all United States-based players will soon be required to complete age verification to continue accessing their accounts. The rollout, which begins immediately, is set to be implemented for all players by May 20, 2025, and must be completed no later than July 18, 2025. Failure to comply with the new regulation will result in account suspension, deletion of in-game friends and chat records, and eventual permanent deletion of personal account information by July 20, 2026.
This new policy stems directly from a recent settlement with the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Earlier this year, the FTC fined HoYoverse $20 million for allegedly deceiving minors into spending on loot boxes through the use of manipulative in-game mechanics—often called “dark patterns.”
Key Compliance Measures from the FTC Settlement:
Ban on loot box sales to users under 16 without verified parental consent
Mandatory disclosure of loot box odds and virtual currency exchange rates
Requirement to provide a real-money purchase alternative for virtual items
Deletion of data collected from children under 13 without proper consent
Adherence to COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) regulations
Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, commented on the settlement:
“Genshin Impact deceived children, teens, and other players into spending hundreds of dollars on prizes they stood little chance of winning. Companies that deploy these dark-pattern tactics will be held accountable if they deceive players, particularly kids and teens, about the true costs of in-game transactions.”
Timeline and Consequences for U.S. Players:
May 20, 2025: Age verification begins at login or account registration.
July 18, 2025: Deadline for players to submit their age information.
Post-July 18, 2025: Unverified accounts will be suspended; chat logs and friend lists will be deleted.
July 20, 2026: Permanent deletion of personal data for unverified accounts.
Genshin Impact Patch 5.6: ‘Paralogism’ Also Just Releases
Coinciding with this announcement, Genshin Impact has launched its v5.6 update, titled “Paralogism.” This major patch introduces:
Two new characters: Escoffier (5-star support) and Ifa (4-star DPS)
A new Archon Quest
A new Story Quest
A new Boss Fight
Additional balance updates and limited-time events
What’s Next for Genshin Impact Players in the U.S.?
While the age verification requirement may be an inconvenience for some players, it represents a wider shift toward regulatory oversight in online gaming, especially for platforms targeting younger demographics. With stricter FTC enforcement now in play, HoYoverse appears to be setting a precedent for other developers navigating similar concerns.
Are you ready for Genshin’s new age verification system? Do you think these measures are long overdue or too strict? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
