Gaming’s Bot Problem: Would You Scan Your Eye to Prove You’re Human?

Gamers frustrated with artificial intelligence-powered bots disrupting online multiplayer matches may soon have a solution.

Tech company World, co-founded by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, has teamed up with gaming giant Razer to introduce a new verification system designed to differentiate real players from bots, as reported by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

The software, called “Razer ID verified by World ID,” will authenticate users and provide a badge for their Razer gaming profile.

The goal is to prevent bots from infiltrating game servers, a problem that has plagued online gaming for years. Bots are often used to exploit in-game economies, artificially inflate user numbers, and disrupt fair competition, as previously noted by Medium.

A World survey found that 59% of gamers regularly encounter bots, with 71% believing they ruin competitive gaming, as reported by Block Works (BW).

“We’re on the brink of an AI tsunami,” said Trevor Traina, chief business officer of Tools for Humanity, a company that helps develop products for World, as reported by WSJ. “This partnership helps reclaim gaming for human players,” he added.

The first game to incorporate the system is Tokyo Beast, developed by CyberAgent, set to launch in the second quarter of 2025. If successful, Razer hopes to integrate the technology into more games, as noted by Forbes.

To obtain verification, players must register with World ID, a system linked to the Worldcoin cryptocurrency. Users can prove their identity in two ways: scanning their eyes using a specialized Orb device or submitting an NFC-enabled government ID, such as a passport or driver’s license.

The verification aims to make it harder for bots to repeatedly register new accounts after being banned. Additionally, the system allows game developers to offer “human-only” servers, ensuring that players are matched against other verified users, as noted by Forbes.

While the technology offers a potential breakthrough in combating bots, it has also raised concerns over privacy and accessibility.

The eye-scanning Orbs are not widely available, with many major European countries lacking access to them. As a result, most users will have to rely on submitting government-issued IDs, notes Forbes.

Despite these concerns, Razer insists the system enhances security. “Being able to verify a human is very important, because the last thing you want is that all your potential rewards, all your hard-earned rewards, are stolen by a bot,” said Wei-Pin Choo, Razer’s chief corporate officer, as reported by Forbes.

World Network, formerly Worldcoin, verifies humans via iris scans, offering its cryptocurrency as an incentive. However, the company has faced privacy concerns and accusations of exploiting users in developing countries, noted BW.

In 2024, Spain and Germany banned Worldcoin over fears that users could not withdraw consent for their biometric data. Portugal and Kenya have also restricted or suspended the project, as reported by Forbes.

BW reports that Singapore authorities investigated misuse of World ID accounts for potential criminal activities. While the system could help identify real gamers, it isn’t foolproof. Still, efforts to tackle bots in gaming signal growing industry awareness of the issue.

Tiago Sada, a spokesperson for World, defended the verification system, stating, “Unlike traditional verification systems, the only thing World ID knows about a person is that they’re a real and unique human being. It doesn’t know who you are, your name, your email, anything like that,” reports Forbes.

While the new system could be a step toward cleaner online gaming, it remains to be seen whether privacy concerns and regulatory challenges will limit its adoption.