Australia’s new age-verification rules mean Steam users must provide a valid credit card to access or buy R18+ games, leaving people without one unable to use the platform normally. The requirement matters because debit cards are not accepted, excluding some adults who cannot qualify for, or choose not to use, credit.

Other PC retailers, including Fanatical and Green Man Gaming, reportedly sell Steam keys for R18+ games that can then be redeemed on Steam. However, this is only a workaround, and the article notes wider concerns about privacy, security and the reliability of age-verification systems; PC Gamer says it asked Valve whether additional verification methods will be introduced.