Anyone can use DEATH STRANDING 2 to get around UK’s age verification system

NEWS THIS WEEK

• Brits can get around Discord's age verification thanks to Death Stranding's photo mode, bypassing the measure introduced with the UK's Online Safety Act. We tried it and it works—thanks, Kojima
• Sony calls Tencent game ‘slavish clone’ of Horizon in new lawsuit
• Nintendo U-Turns on Mario Kart World Change That Forced More Open-World Driving, as It Increases Chance of Lap-Type Races
• Everything Announced At The July 2025 Nintendo Direct
• PAX AUSTRALIA announces AUS Indie Showcase

RELEASE RADAR

• STORMGATE - 4 August 2025 - PC
• CHAINED ECHOES: ASHES OF ELRANT - 7 August 2025 - PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
• WHIMSIDE - 7 August 2025 - PC
• MAFIA: THE OLD COUNTRY - 8 August 2025 - PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S 

‍Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou, Chris Button and Naomi Jackson. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.