They would lose likely 98% of their player base.

more like 99%

maybe the goal is instead to try to get ahead of regulation by implementing a system that is easily bypassed by most kids (like these video based age estimations). Then they can show this to the regulator and be like: "look were already doing everything we can, no need to actually put the regulation in place".

GTA online is the worst thing to happen to the series, since it killed off story DLCs. Which were a fantastic way to get new story based content for their games between the years long wait between sequels. Damn those gamers and their obsession with buying microtransactions.

Phew, ok good. A few months ago, when this first leaked, it made it seem like this was going to be used for every country and for the entire game. I have never played GTA online and never will.

The internet is continuing to get worse and worse... also, those comments on the actual article were strangely to pro.

Maybe that actually makes it playable. But who am I kidding?

If we're going to government age verification everywhere just get rid of fucking ESRB and content ratings

On the flip side, it's given it insane longevity and made it feel more modern. Playing singleplayer feels so annoying at times because of their arbitrary rules (which are still in online, but toned down a little) and gameplay/mission design.

At least GTAO showed everyone rockstar's true nature, and you couldn't turn away or say that it's a small alternative game mode.
So shoutout to online and 5 as a whole for showing me enough to avoid all future rockstar titles lol

$omething tells me that won't happen

So, I loose no functionality when I pirate it?

Seriously. Our school had a presentation by a guy about kids and computer usage. The gist of it was: Roblox bad, because of paedophiles. GTA good, because it furthers role playing. Basically the opposite of the age recommendations.

If we’re going to government age verification everywhere just get rid of fucking ESRB and content ratings

This is a game made in Scotland, ESRB is a voluntary US based system.

PEGI, then.

And nothing of worth was lost

Then they double killed it when they started introducing nonsense like flying cars with rocket launchers.

GTA5 was released in 2013. GTA6 is being released 13 years later. If there had been no GTAO, we would have had at least one or two more "modern" GTA releases in that window.

I don’t understand why people needed to give them constant money. For real, I played for a minute but never spent a dime. Why buy things when you can achieve them?