Steam has implemented a new policy requiring Australian users to link a valid Australian credit card to their accounts in order to access R18+ games, such as Cyberpunk 2077, DOOM: The Dark Ages, and Resident Evil Requiem. This change is part of the Age-Restricted Material App Distribution Services Code, aimed at ensuring that users can verify their age for accessing mature content.
Key Points:
- R18+ Content Policy: Only users with a valid Australian credit card can view or purchase R18+ titles.
- Payments: PayPal and debit-link methods are not accepted, limiting access for those without a credit card.
- User Experience: Existing owners of R18+ games can still access their libraries but cannot visit the respective store pages without a linked credit card.
Community Reaction:
This policy has sparked negative reactions among Australian gamers, echoing similar measures from Sony and Microsoft on their platforms. The decision raises questions about whether Valve will reconsider its approach in light of community feedback.
