HoYoverse Implements Age Verification for Genshin Impact Players in the U. S.
HoYoverse, the developer formerly known as miHoYo, has announced a significant update for Genshin Impact players in the United States regarding age verification. This requirement arises from recent legal mandates, and players can expect the process to commence shortly.
Mandatory Age Verification Process
In a communication directed at players, HoYoverse stated:
Dear Travelers, We are required by law to age verify US player accounts. The age verification process will be rolled out to all US players by May 20th while login (if already have one) or account registration. Please ensure to provide your age information by July 18th, 2025. Failure to verify will result in: – Account suspension – In-game friends and chat records will be deleted – No further notifications post-suspension due to inaccessible account information as required by law If the verification is not completed by July 20th, 2026, the personal information of your HoYoverse account will be deleted permanently.
This new measure is being implemented to comply with regulatory requirements and will have significant implications for players who do not complete the process by the stipulated deadline.
Background and Legal Context
The new age verification initiative seems to stem from a recent settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC had previously charged HoYoverse for misleading young users into spending money on loot boxes without adequately disclosing the odds of winning valuable in-game items.
As a result of the settlement, the developer was fined $20 million and is now subject to several restrictions, including:
- Banning the sale of loot boxes to users under 16 without parental consent.
- Prohibiting the sale of loot boxes with virtual currency unless a direct purchase option with real money is available.
- Forbidding the misrepresentation of loot box odds, prices, and features.
- Mandating the disclosure of loot box odds and exchange rates for multi-tiered currencies.
- Ensuring the deletion of any personal information collected from children under 13 unless parental consent is obtained for retention.
FTC’s Condemnation of Deceptive Practices
Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, criticized Genshin Impact’s practices, asserting that:
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.
New Gameplay Updates in Genshin Impact
In light of these developments, Genshin Impact is also rolling out an update today, introducing patch 5.6, titled ‘Paralogism’.This update includes:
- Two new playable characters: the five-star support character Escoffier and the four-star DPS character Ifa.
- A new Archon Quest alongside a new Story Quest.
- A challenging new Boss fight, enhancing in-game dynamics for players.
Players are encouraged to stay actively engaged with the game while they prepare for these essential changes regarding age verification.
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