I won't be getting a credit card. Hard no. Not ever. My bank knows exactly how old I am. I am ok with an over 18 boolean passing over the merchant transaction. I already have a three way relationship with valve and my bank.

I don't even have a meta account and can't see local food menus, community events, kids sports or school info. It has taken over everything even the used market. If I can live with that then no way I am going to cave to some orwellian age verification bullshit just to play a game. I can live without.

Gabe knows piracy is a service problem, not a pricing problem. Valve would be very aware that broken age verification damages their service and what the consequences will be. I am sure if they had a good legal alternative they would have gone with it.