Pixel P&L: Why Gaming's Biggest Chat App Suddenly Wants to See Your ID

Remember when your biggest gaming privacy concern was your roommate catching you playing 100 hours of Doki Doki Literature Club instead of finishing your thesis? Now Discord, the beloved chat app where millions once freely discussed Minecraft strategies and Fortnite fails, is asking UK and Australian users to whip out government IDs before entering certain channels.

In today's email: 

🎮 Why gaming's favorite chat app wants to see your ID card

💰 How KRAFTON turned in-game purchases into esports gold in India

🏙️ Gaming leaders converge on the Middle East

📊 Gaming Stocks Today

Discord Rolls Out ID Verification to Screen Sensitive Content

Discord is implementing a new age verification system requiring users in the UK and Australia to scan their face or government ID to access sensitive content, as part of what the company calls "an experiment."

The verification process, triggered when users encounter flagged content or attempt to modify their sensitive content settings, offers two options: a facial scan using a webcam or camera, or uploading an ID document via a QR code system. The automated verification typically takes minutes, with users receiving notification of their verified age group.

The move responds to recent regulatory changes in both countries. Australia passed legislation last year banning social media for children under 16, while UK regulator Ofcom mandated "robust" age verification for websites with pornographic content by July.

Similar verification requirements are expected to expand globally as more governments enact comparable restrictions on children's access to sensitive online material.

KRAFTON Leverages In-Game Monetization to Expand Esports Prize Pool in India

KRAFTON India has substantially increased the prize money for its flagship esports tournament, announcing a ₹3.2 crore ($384,000) prize pool for the Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2025, representing a 60% increase from last year's competition.

The expanded financial commitment comes after successful monetization of the BGIS 2025 Crate, an in-game purchasable item that directly funded the prize pool expansion. This revenue-driven approach allows KRAFTON to simultaneously boost player engagement and competition scale.

The decision broadens distribution of capital across all 32 qualifying teams rather than concentrating rewards among top performers, potentially increasing competitive participation and viewership metrics. The prize pool is ₹1.2 crore (~$144,000) higher compared to last year's tournament.

⚡Quick Bytes

Malaysia Unveils $1.2M Fund for Digital Creative Sector

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation announced RM5.7 million ($1.2M) in incentives targeting games development, animation, and metaverse technology. The initiative aims to strengthen Malaysia's position as a global digital content hub following the sector's RM87.25 billion ($18.4B) revenue performance since 2011.

Saudi's Savvy Games Group Subsidiary Launches Debut Mobile Title

Savvy Games Group's Riyadh-based subsidiary Steer Studios has released "Grunt Rush" globally following successful regional testing. The free-to-play tactical strategy game represents Savvy's continued diversification in the mobile gaming sector. CEO Yannick Theler called the global release "a significant first step" in Steer Studios' market expansion strategy, aligning with Saudi Arabia's broader gaming industry investment initiatives.

⚔️Side Quest

📺 Watch: An exploration of how games that violate the sacred "safe room" covenant commit the ultimate betrayal of player trust, essential viewing for designers and players who care about the psychological contract of gaming.

🎮 Play: "The First Berserker of Khazan" delivers an exhilarating soulslike experience with visceral combat and masterfully crafted boss encounters that will satisfy any action RPG enthusiast looking for their next challenge.

📚 Read: Hayley Toth’s piece on save-scumming in Disco Elysium is a fantastic read that'll make you rethink what "playing properly" means, showing how reloading your save file might actually deepen your connection to the story rather than cheating it.

💡Did You Know

Did you know that Rockstar originally offered Grand Theft Auto 3 to Microsoft as an Xbox exclusive? Xbox executives rejected it because they doubted Rockstar could successfully transition the series from 2D to 3D. As former Xbox executive Kevin Bachus recalled, "They felt that it was complicated... they thought it was based on a game that hadn't been all that successful." This allowed Sony to secure GTA 3 as a PS2 timed exclusive. The game went on to sell 14.5 million copies and became the top-selling game of 2001.

📜 Quote of the Day

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