“Steam started blocking Australian users from viewing or buying 18+ rated games on September 9, 2026, unless they attach a valid credit card to their account. Valve’s rollout affects hundreds of mature-rated titles, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom Eternal, and it doesn’t matter whether the account is brand new or fifteen years old with a library full of paid-for adult games. Without a credit card on file, those store pages, search results, and even home-page recommendations simply disappear.”
Do you think tech will play fair and self regulate?
I think Valve would be one of the ‘least dirty’ players out there. This isn’t just gaming, its all media really, this is just one of the first to tackle incoming changes. In terms of the games Guidance and signposting has been in place for a long time. Games are not simply Art open to interpretation, most are harmless, but there’s a rating system on them for a reason.
Another aspect is the extension of gaming culture and what comes with that, there are arguments that boys and young men are more susceptible to their identities being shaped from people in the gaming sphere. Those actors can be unhealthy (mentally). I think the game is seen as the root of the problem…therefore an easy target for regulation.
I agree the Gov shouldn’t have to censor but its still sensitive information shared so they have stepped up. I hate over authoritative compliance, but at this stage no one else is going up against tech and the way they operate to hook young users.
I also agree that parents play a part but TBH the amount of parents who are equally conditioned just as much a problem.