To play adult games on Steam, a credit card is required - only applicable in the United Kingdom

In a recent development, gaming giant Valve has announced that Steam users will now be required to verify their age with a credit card to access games with mature content. This move is part of an initiative to adhere to the Online Safety Act, which aims to prevent children from seeing inappropriate, sexual, or mature content across various online platforms and services.

The age verification process does not involve using an off-platform third-party verification service. Instead, Valve stores the credit card data used in the verification process as a payment method, ensuring secure handling of user's credit card details. To access Steam store pages for mature content games and their associated community hubs, users need to opt-in through the account settings page.

This new policy comes with a few implications. For UK users, age verification on Steam requires a valid credit card to be stored on the account. It's worth noting that in the UK, you need to be 18 years old to apply for a credit card. Some users might find it annoying to provide a credit card for age verification, especially those who don't have one or recently obtained one.

However, the speaker finds the age verification process on Steam a little more comfortable due to the secure handling of credit card details and the one-time nature of the process. Having a credit card stored as a payment method also acts as an additional deterrent against sharing a Steam user account among multiple persons.

The use of mods that may 'infringe upon others' and the use of NSFW add-ons could lead to legal troubles by regulators in certain countries. Final Fantasy 14 director Naoki Yoshida warned against such practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the rights of others in the gaming community.

It's uncertain if other countries will follow the UK's example or if Valve will roll out such verification for all users. Countries like France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Greece, and the USA have introduced or are planning online safety laws similar to the UK's Online Safety Act, mainly targeting digital violence, revenge porn, and age verification to protect minors and vulnerable groups. There is no public information indicating that Valve is planning a general verification process for all users.

Despite these changes, the speaker hopes the adaptation to the Online Safety Act won't erode the ease of using Steam. Verification can involve things like a facial scan or credit card details, which might concern privacy-centric people due to third-party data collection and use. However, it's reassuring to know that the data processed in the verification process is identical to that of other Steam users who make purchases or store their payment details for convenience.

As for other developments in the gaming world, no specific details are given about the Hollow Knight: Silksong release date trailer or the three biggest things learned from it. Similarly, no information is provided about a potential PlayStation 6 handheld or the features it may have.

In conclusion, Valve's age verification policy for mature content on Steam is a step towards ensuring a safer and more responsible online gaming environment. While it may present some inconveniences for users, the benefits of protecting minors and maintaining a respectful gaming community are undeniable.

To play adult games on Steam, a credit card is required - only applicable in the United Kingdom