Epic Games announced that, as of September 9, Australian users will be required to confirm that they are at least 18 years of age before they can purchase or download any titles classified as R18+ on the Epic Games Store. This policy change aligns the company's distribution practices with the Australian online safety regulations that govern the accessibility of adult-oriented material.
The new age‑gate will apply exclusively to newly acquired R18+ games; any titles that a player already owns, as well as all games that fall under lower rating categories, will remain fully accessible without any additional steps. The verification workflow is being handled through Epic's existing Kids Web Services (KWS) infrastructure, which is being expanded to accommodate a broader set of third‑party identity checks. Users will be able to select from a menu of verification methods that best suit their preferences and privacy considerations. The options currently on offer include: 1.
**Selfie‑based verification via Yoti** – Players can submit a real‑time selfie that is then cross‑checked against the Yoti identity platform to confirm the user’s age. 2.
**Credit‑card verification through Stripe** – By providing a valid credit card, the system can verify that the cardholder meets the legal age requirement. 3.
**Government‑issued ID verification using Veriff** – Users may upload a scan or photo of an official identification document, such as a driver’s licence or passport, which Veriff will validate for authenticity and age compliance. A fourth method, which leverages bank‑account verification through the ConnectID service, is slated to become available later in September, giving players even more flexibility when proving their eligibility.
Epic has emphasized that any personal data collected during the verification process will be used solely for the purpose of confirming a user’s age. The company states that this information will be processed independently of the broader KWS ecosystem and will not be repurposed for marketing or other non‑essential activities. This move mirrors recent actions taken by other major players in the gaming industry. In the preceding month, Microsoft rolled out a similar age‑verification requirement for its Xbox and Microsoft Store platforms in Australia, mandating that users prove they are of legal age before they can access R18+ titles on both console and PC.
Microsoft had already introduced a comparable system in the United Kingdom in July 2025, shortly after the Office of the eSafety Commissioner (OSA) introduced stricter rules for adult‑content distribution. Valve, the operator of the Steam platform, also instituted age‑verification procedures for its UK user base, enabling the company to gate mature content behind a reliable identity check.
These industry‑wide shifts reflect a growing consensus that robust age‑gating mechanisms are essential for complying with regional legislation and for fostering a safer digital environment for younger gamers. The introduction of age verification on the Epic Games Store is expected to have several practical implications for both consumers and developers. For gamers, the process adds a short, but necessary, step before completing a purchase of an R18+ title.
The variety of verification methods is intended to keep the hurdle as low as possible, while still meeting legal standards. For developers, the policy provides a clearer compliance framework that can help avoid inadvertent distribution of adult content to under‑aged users, thereby reducing the risk of regulatory penalties. From a privacy perspective, Epic’s decision to handle verification data separately from its general Kids Web Services infrastructure may allay some concerns among users who are wary of data sharing across platforms. By limiting the scope of data usage strictly to age confirmation, the company aligns its practices with prevailing data‑protection expectations in many jurisdictions.
Overall, the rollout marks a significant step toward harmonising the Epic Games Store’s operations with the evolving legal landscape surrounding adult gaming content in Australia. It also underscores a broader industry trend toward more stringent age‑gate solutions, which are likely to become a standard feature of digital distribution platforms worldwide as regulators continue to tighten their oversight of mature‑content accessibility. The policy will be enforced automatically when a user attempts to download or purchase an R18+ title. If the verification is successful, the transaction proceeds as usual.
If a user fails to verify their age, the purchase will be blocked, and the user will be prompted to try a different verification method or to seek assistance through Epic’s support channels. Existing R18+ titles in a user’s library will remain playable, ensuring that the new requirement does not retroactively affect previously acquired content.
In summary, beginning September 9, Australian gamers will encounter an age‑verification gate for all new R18+ purchases on the Epic Games Store, with multiple verification pathways—including selfie, credit‑card, government ID, and upcoming bank verification—available to meet the legal requirements while preserving user convenience and data privacy. This policy brings Epic in line with both local Australian law and the broader industry movement toward responsible, age‑appropriate content distribution.