All these new updates, it still cant remember my age?

[DuVaL AK47]

Seriously.. I'm getting so tired of plugging in my DOB every time i want to go to a store page.

If your going to add some new features and a whole new interface and look, I think having away for our age to be remembered would be useful.

Let me also note that if i accidentally put in too young because im not paying attention, it surely remembers it then, and then i can't look at a games store page period.

Dumb system

I read a complaint on the Game Trailers forums about their age verification system over there.

Apparently it's some law that forces them to ask it. I guess it's a cookie with a short expiration time.

[LicenseToGrill]

Yep, Valve have stated that they do that because of an actual law.

[DuVaL AK47]

Whoever comes up with these laws is truly an idiot. The system isn't even hard for someone UNDER AGE to bypass anyways. Just click year, scroll to the 1980s and they're set. Do they honestly think it actually stops kids?

Seriously, how do such dumb people get to positions of power.

[Cedge]

Originally Posted by DuVaL AK47

Whoever comes up with these laws is truly an idiot. The system isn't even hard for someone UNDER AGE to bypass anyways. Just click year, scroll to the 1980s and they're set. Do they honestly think it actually stops kids?

Seriously, how do such dumb people get to positions of power.

Well, more importantly, it's there to provide amnesty for the operator of the site.

[Matt]

Dumb system? You don't even know why they ask for DOB each time...

[Mangr0v3]

If you could be bothered using Search, you would see that this issue has come up and been explained many times.

[Arctic Ice]

For no particular reason I just compiled this list of threads about the same topic. It does not include Germany-related questions (to sell M-rated games) or people who entered the wrong date. They are just people who are annoyed with having to enter their birthdates.

From newest to oldest

2010:

• Stop the age asking redundancy...
• Stop Asking For My Birthday To View A Game!
• Why does Steam only remember my age if I'm too young?
• Birthdate on file for age verification
• Age verification in Steam Store broken!
• Annoyance of age verification
• Birth Date
• Age verification
• Please remember birthdays
• Can i make steam remeber my age?

2009:

• Age verification....pain in the...
• Suggestion re: Age Verification
• Suggestion: Store user age
• Steam Store - Age Verification
• Age verification
• Why age verification if you are logged in?

This last one is still from June '09. The search feature has limitations beyond that.

[Washell]

Originally Posted by DuVaL AK47

The system isn't even hard for someone UNDER AGE to bypass anyways.

It isn't supposed to be. It's about legal liability. When parents sue a content provider for allowing their kid to view age inappropriate material, the content provider can prove that their kid lied about his age.

[TurkeySandwhich]

Originally Posted by DuVaL AK47

Seriously.. I'm getting so tired of plugging in my DOB every time i want to go to a store page.

If your going to add some new features and a whole new interface and look, I think having away for our age to be remembered would be useful.

Let me also note that if i accidentally put in too young because im not paying attention, it surely remembers it then, and then i can't look at a games store page period.

Dumb system

As others have said, this isn't Valves fault. Its a law that they must follow.

[JoeTheZombieKid]

They don't care if you're under 18, but they have to ask to legally protect them. "Oh, they did say they were 18."

[Scuttlebutt]

Originally Posted by ColMirage

I read a complaint on the Game Trailers forums about their age verification system over there.

Apparently it's some law that forces them to ask it. I guess it's a cookie with a short expiration time.

No

ESRB is self regulatory industry group. If people had balls they could not listen to them, end of story.

Because vidya game developers/publishers are so scared of the possibility of government regulations they took it upon themselves to introduce rtard guidelines and policies everyone should follow. There is no law and frankly the ESRB goes too far in their policies.

[Scuttlebutt]

Originally Posted by Washell

It isn't supposed to be. It's about legal liability. When parents sue a content provider for allowing their kid to view age inappropriate material, the content provider can prove that their kid lied about his age.

No

It's all about pretending they care to curb government intervention. There is nothing there to be held liable for. Not having an age gate or game rating isn't going to magically create civil suits in which they will be sued for damages.

[Nuklear41]

Just go right to the year tab and go down.

I'm not born on january 1st 1981, but i have been pluggin that for years.

[chwynn]

THIS IS WHY

It took me 1 minute to google for "Age verification law" and find that link. It took a further 5 minutes to scan the article and find:

Why do you need age verification?
The sale of certain goods / services is subject to legal age restrictions
In recognition of social responsibility

Minors cannot...give a valid consent

If the minor does not avoid the contract, the adult will be bound by it. The minor may sue on it, either through an adult on their behalf while still a minor, or in their own right on reaching the age of 18.

If they lied about their age then the contract is unenforceable and null and void. If they gain access to M rated games on steam, and lied about their age, then steam can state this if it went to court. If they did not have the age verification box, then they would potentially be liable.

They have to cover themselves. Why would they incorporate this otherwise? To annoy steam users? No, it takes a second to get past an age gate, but at lest steam are being socially responsible by incorporating it.

So sick of people complaining about this issue.

(btw, Arctic Ice +rep)