This implementation of age verification by Valve is at-best so poorly considered that I expect them to re-evaluate soon. The first issue is that they want the card on-file. I purchased a game for my child on Monday, using a Credit Card. So, I obviously have a credit card. I didn't keep the card on-file, I used it for a single purchase. My Steam account is still age-locked.

I will concede that 'age of account' alone isn't too good of a test - I created a Steam accounts for my kids when they were little (2 and 5). The oldest has started using his account, the youngest will probably start next year. XBox used account activity - and that's a better test. Having 15 years of gaming history is a better test than a 10-year-old account that only started seeing regular use 2 years ago.

Because I know far too much about these age verification laws (for obvious reasons), I can also attest that Valve is not complying with the Age Verification as outlined in Regulatory guidance. If you are willing to go through the document, the relevant section is:

2.3.3 Accessible, inclusive and fair
Providers should ensure age assurance methods and surrounding systems and processes are accessible, inclusive and fair.

That same section also goes on to give advice on verification means, saying it should not discriminate end-users based on pretty-much any metric you can think of. They especially call-out discrimination against Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders. A demographic where the majority of citizens do not have credit cards. They also fail to follow the guidance "Providers should offer a choice between a range of age assurance methods".

Valve wrote to the eSafety commissioner a year ago, requesting to be exempt from the law. They were denied. Assorted sites are claiming that eSafety Commissioner's office is engaging with Valve (example), though I haven't found anything on their website to acknowledge that. In short, Valve are not presently complying with the law and something will need to give.

I called their age verification implementation "poorly considered", because I actually think they're being intentionally belligerent. I suspect they are hoping the government is going to back down. I don't know how that's going to play out, or how the eSafety commissioner is going to respond. I don't know what 'big guns' the government has here. This case is fascinating to observe from the side-lines.

My Steam account is actually old enough to vote itself at this point. I don't see where "challenging" me will do anytihng but force me to provide an attack surface

Details seem to be a bit all over the place on the internet (business as usual), even though this is a week old.

Some are suggesting that:

• MA15 games are also blocked (I don't believe that is true though?)

• This also blocks the reinstallation of existing purchases (a very big deal if so)

• Mastercard debit cards work, but visa debit cards do not work

• The big 4 dirty banks work, but the others do not

22 year old steam account, never had a credit card on the account and never will. Locked out of games I paid for. And just like that, my time buying games through steam is done.

Old man here. Never had a credit card. Don't believe in them. Kids have had Spriggy debit visa cards for years and use them to buy Steam games (under some supervision) so it would be working as intended on that side. Doom Eternal, bought with a non-bank adult debit visa is still showing in the family library.

Edit: Ok, confirmed this shit show does appear to be real. We can run purchased games from the family library but can't view them in the store and a minor bank adult debit visa doesn't unlock age verification. Another angry parent letter to the office of Anika Wells I guess. Can't entirely blame Valve when the legislation is half arsed and broken.

Edit 2: As inconvenient as it is choosing only CC verification it might be reasonable choice for Valve. I don't want to use some dodgy third party verification service and its probably a good thing that isn't being presented as an option. Most of the blame has to be with the eSafety commissioner, Communications minister and everyone who voted for the legislation.

For me, my debit card thats tied to my homeloan account works (ill never get a credit card and pay annual fees just to age-check a fucking game) but i've found after a few days it forgets and i gotta add the card all over again.

Also seems to be random with how it determines what games are age checked. Metal Gear Solid needs age verification but Bloodtrail (a fucking Vr serial killer simulator) is all g

What is your retired/unemployed and can’t get a card?

Annoying as anything. I don't have a credit card, and I am WELL over 18. Locked out from games I'd planned for purchase and Steam is just shrugging and saying they are following govt rules, and there is no other way to age verify. Not even close to being accessible and fair

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/338D-F465-0937-FA65

Steam page about this that isn't really helpful at all, and does not currently suggest any changes to the issue.

vpn to new zealand seems to work. I haven't encountered this, even if i go back to australia. Although steam should be able to work out I am from australia based on my mobile? anyway, i'll update this comment if that changes