Originally posted by SaggyGranny:

cant access mature games.

i have a card. I have validation on here. I just can't access things, all of a sudden. For 0 reason.

1. Are you in the UK?

2. Is it a credit card? Debit cards do not work for age verification.

For UK users, this opt-in process requires age verification. Your UK Steam user account is considered age verified for as long as a valid credit card is stored on the account.

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/292B-3DA3-CFC8-97F6

im in the uk yes, and i have a card on. Do i REALLY need a CREDIT card specifically? something that if i use i get put in debt? not an ACTUAL card where i use MY money?

Originally posted by SaggyGranny:

im in the uk yes, and i have a card on. Do i REALLY need a CREDIT card specifically? something that if i use i get put in debt? not an ACTUAL card where i use MY money?

Yes, only credit cards are accepted (for now), Debit cards are not (and won't be as under 18 years old can get Debit cards. To get Credit card you need to be at least 18 years old). Also you can pay using Debit or Credit with credit card.

Originally posted by SaggyGranny:

im in the uk yes, and i have a card on. Do i REALLY need a CREDIT card specifically? something that if i use i get put in debt? not an ACTUAL card where i use MY money?

yes because debit cards can be issued to people aged 16 and up and therefore do not qualify.

Originally posted by SaggyGranny:

im in the uk yes, and i have a card on. Do i REALLY need a CREDIT card specifically? something that if i use i get put in debt? not an ACTUAL card where i use MY money?

Well Credits Cards are very specific products. Although some users seem to think any card shaped thing that deals with money is colloquially a "credit card". So...do you think Valve is talking in specific terms, or using sloppy colloquialisms?

But yes the UK law accepts credit cards (the specific financial product) as age verification. Not colloquial "credit cards" that are actually debit cards, gift cards, library cards, birthday cards or yellow cards.

Understand that if the UK law didn't allow for credit cards you would have no age verification options. See German users. But Valve already accepts credit cards and all they need is that one is tied to the account. It's extremely low hanging fruit.

Also as someone has been using a credit card for decades, it is perfectly possible to use them responsibly. They're just a tool. Not having experience to understand otherwise, or lacking the self control to use the tool responsibly, is a personal problem you can overcome. Otherwise you'll have to start using another game store for age restricted purchases that has implemented other age verification options.

Invest in credit card stock... You need one like an ID now.
Hopefully those governments made a good deal with Visa lol.