Steam Australia sets credit card verification
The digital world of gaming is undergoing a new reality check, and it’s hitting Australian gamers right in the wallet. Following regulatory moves seen in the UK, the popular game platform Steam has recently introduced mandatory age verification for games rated R18 and above in Australia.
However, the method Valve has chosen to enforce this new rule has created immediate friction. To verify that users are eighteen or older, the system requires players to add a credit card to their account. This requirement, while intended for age gating, has quickly exposed a significant financial hurdle for many Australians.
Not all forms of payment are accepted. The verification system strictly requires a credit card, explicitly excluding debit cards and platforms like PayPal. This presents a logistical challenge, particularly given that only approximately 35% of Australian adults currently hold a credit card.
This disparity has created a ripple effect, particularly for long-time Steam account holders who may have accumulated their accounts over many years. Many users who have been active on the platform for nineteen to twenty-two years are suddenly finding themselves impacted by this strict financial barrier.
The consequences for those trying to browse the Steam store are immediate and frustrating. Some users are already reporting that they are being blocked from viewing the pages for mature games, including titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, Resident Evil: Requiem, and Alan Wake II.
It is important to note that this restriction does not affect games that have already been purchased; those titles remain available for launch. The restriction applies specifically to new purchases, meaning the age verification requirement is currently aimed at controlling access to new content rather than revoking access to existing libraries.
While other major gaming platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, and Epic Games, have implemented age verification through more diverse methods—such as checking government-issued IDs, account longevity, or facial scans—Steam’s choice to mandate a credit card introduces a very specific and immediate financial barrier for its Australian user base.
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