GTA 6 will be unplayable to millions unless you prove one bizarre criteria

It appears that millions of gamers won’t be able to play GTA VI unless they meet a bizarre requirement and prove their identity to access the highly anticipated Rockstar Games release.

All over the world, millions of gamers will be looking forward to playing Rockstar Games’ next entry in its immensely popular Grand Theft Auto series, when GTA VI finally arrives later this year on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

However, playing GTA VI in this era might not be as easy as it was with previous entries and console generations for a variety of reasons. For starters, GTA VI will be digital-only, at least at launch, which hasn't gone down well with even the most loyal of fans.

Sure, they could just buy the digital license to play the game, but many will be put off from paying full price for a game that, technically, they do not own, unlike a physical release that you can hold in your hand. Then, of course, you have the standard 18 age-rating, not that it has even stopped younger folk from playing the game or parents buying it for them.

Furthermore, and these are probably the biggest reasons many will not be able to play GTA VI, is that not only is it banned in some countries, but in Australia, you may need to prove who you are by verifying a digital ID to play it.

No ID, no GTA VI, says Australia

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“This has to be the most Australian GTA VI headline I’ve ever seen,” said Redditor Forward_Problem_7550, sharing an image from the news outlet, Daily Telegraph.

“Due to Australia’s controversial new online safety laws, which came into effect in March, local users of GTA VI will be required to show mandatory age verification to play the game Down Under, especially to access the online multiplayer mode,” a line from the article reads.

Reddit users respond to the bizarre measures to play GTA VI

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“2013: Mom, can you buy this game for me? 2026: Mom, can you use your ID for me?” replied Specific-Inside-1638.

“Pretty wild. It’s getting a bit out of hand these days. They could do age verification on the OS, giving your ID out willy nilly is not exactly a good idea,” said ArthurCandleman.

“I've heard if you are found to be drunk while playing GTA VI in Australia, you lose your license in real life,” joked ChefAnxious4206.

“The nanny state is at it again!” exclaimed Oksirflufetarg.

It’s worth mentioning that needing ID to play 18-rated games such as GTA VI is nothing new; it’s been the law in most countries for many years. However, there is one major difference today, compared to how it was previously.

When you purchased the likes of GTA V in 2013 at a retail store, you may have been asked to show a form of ID. Once done, that would be it. You’d pay for the game and walk out of the store.

Nowadays, after providing a form of ID online, your sensitive data, such as a driving license or a passport, is stored in a server by “trusted” third-party partners, and many gamers are concerned that they’d be one data breach away from their ID being spread across the dark web.

Grand Theft Auto VI will be released on 19 November 2026.

READ MORE: 9 Potential GTA 6 Features That Should Secure Its Game Of The Year Status