Single player games require age verification if they use Steam under EU KIDS Act
4 hours ago
- The EU Kids Act's current draft could require age verification for single-player games that use online platforms like Steam for updates or distribution.
- The only exception in the draft applies to games accessible or purchasable exclusively through physical media.
- The European Commission's definition of 'online games' is broad, covering any game on computers, mobile devices, or consoles regardless of local or remote execution, payment model, or in-app purchases.
- Paul Diegel, a senior policy adviser, noted that single-player games connected to Steam for updates would be affected under the current wording.
- The proposal includes a tiered account system for children under 15 and mandatory age verification for all users.
- The EU Kids Act is still a proposal, and definitions are likely to be refined during the EU lawmaking process, potentially narrowing the scope to games resembling social media.
- As written now, even a one-time online authentication could bring a single-player game under the regulation's purview.