As Genshin Impact’s Version 5.6 Update Launches HoYoverse Implements New Age Verification System

Genshin Impact’s Version 5.6 “Paralogism” launched this morning (or late last night, depending on where you’re located), bringing players new storylines and an excuse to visit friends in Mondstadt and Fontaine. But that may not be the biggest news for players in the US

The reason I say this is that, in addition to the patch notes for today’s update, HoYoverse dropped a second announcement on the F2P action RPG’s site this morning, informing US players that the company is implementing an age verification process. This process is part of a settlement HoYoverse (Cognosphere) agreed to in January to block children under the age of 16 from making purchases in their games. The settlement also required HoYo to pay a $20 million fine.

According to the announcement, the company will be rolling out the age verification system by May 20. It will require players to complete the process through login or account registration. The announcement also notes time limits on getting this done. Those who fail to verify by July 18 will have their account suspended and their friend list and chat records deleted. Those who fail to complete the process by July 20, 2026, will have their HoYo account deleted permanently.

The post does not state whether this will be a simple age-gate verification or something more involved.