That's only Australia. Smut is still banned here.

Woulda been nice if that was included in the title, OP.

Is credit score as big of scam in other countries as it is in the US?

This is an unanswerable question.

I don't mind it as long as it means they will treat adult games fair

op doesn't care, they're a spambot

Not that this affects me in any way, but I wonder if this can differentiate between an 18+ person with a credit card in their name versus a 16-17 year old authorized user of said credit card.

Two very dumb things:

• insisting on "verify you're oved 18" even for Steam accounts are over 18 years old.
• insisting on credit cards, when most Aussies don't have one. We use debit cards because we have money, why use credit?

I now know a few people in their 40s who are wondering if they should sign up for unwanted credit cards just so they can keep buying games on Steam.

100% malicious compliance. Steam never likes being told what to do by anyone - users, devs, governments.

Edit:.. Aaand it's in breech of the codes. So.. I guess the ACCC will have to take Valve to court again.

The code terms mandate that age checks must be 'robust, reliable and fair'. Forcing people to get credit card accounts would not meet the code. It explicitly states "in order for age checks to be fair, service providers should offer more than one method of age checks to users".

My account is older than 18 🧠

Why use credit?
Because liquid capital can be invested and earnt on. If you use low or zero interest credit to buy things, and invest your actual money, you actually end up with more money. I have had £30k on zero interest credit cards for about 10 years now, invested in accounts earning between 4 and 6%. I have to transfer the credit between cards every 2 to 3 years and that attracts a fee of 3%. So in effect I receive 3 to 5% a year on £30k I don't have.

Although they can be predatory, there are banks that will give a credit card to someone with bad credit. The trick is to only use it for small, planned things like groceries and pay off the balance each month so that you do not earn interest.

I don't understand people who don't use credit cards that way. Why would you spend money that you do not have only to end up spending more later on?

I mean, I can see it if you're broke and lost your job and need to eat so you stretch it as long as you can but that's not someone in a situation that should be using it to buy video games.

God money is so made up and stupid.

Credit card companies don't care. All it takes is one missed date on that introductory offer expiry on one card and that 0% becomes 19% on the backdated 30k, accrued monthly... eating your meager profit plus more, plus time spent. And the companies know it will statistically happen sooner or later, which is why they make these offers.

You do you though. Personally I hope it works out for you, fuck the banks.

Even if your account is 18 years old?

It's also useful for travel or large purchases since they often include protection. As a general rule, you should not be purchasing things you normally would on a credit card unless the intention is an immediate payoff. For large purchases, though, they can be useful: fix something wrong with the house, get some expensive equipment you need for work, etc. As long as you have a plan to pay off quickly, then all's good.

My account is old enough to drink in the US.

🏴‍☠️

Children can have credit cards.

Yes, in their name. The credit account must belong to an adult, though.

Nope

Also https://gog.com/ that is drm-free.

Never missed a payment yet. I see the roughly thousand a year I make from it as worth the hassle. A regular income, spreadsheet to track deals expiry dates and direct debit payments. Not much else is required.

Totally agree. But it's accepted globally to pay for holidays which I really enjoy 🤣

Added

Just realised that means my steam account is about to have it's birthday. I wonder what the new badge will look like.

Probably a 23.

Better than realID or whatever.

Hilarious! I mean, imagine that! It will automatically fix itself.