Starting on September 9, Epic Games will introduce a mandatory age‑verification step for Australian users who wish to download or purchase games classified as R18+ on the Epic Games Store. This policy change aligns the storefront with Australia’s online safety framework, which mandates that adult‑oriented digital content be accessible only to those who are legally recognized as adults.
Existing game libraries and any titles bearing a rating lower than R18+ will remain unaffected, meaning players can continue to enjoy their current collections without interruption. The age‑check will be handled through Epic’s pre‑existing Kids Web Services (KWS) infrastructure, which is being upgraded to incorporate a suite of third‑party verification methods. Users will be able to select the option that best suits them from a range of possibilities: a facial‑recognition selfie check provided by Yoti, a credit‑card verification process run by Stripe, or a government‑issued identification validation facilitated by Veriff. In addition, a fourth verification avenue—bank‑account confirmation via ConnectID—is slated to become available later in September, offering yet another layer of flexibility for users.
Epic emphasizes that any personal data submitted through these verification channels will be used solely for the purpose of confirming a player’s age. The company assures that this information will be processed independently of the broader KWS system and will not be repurposed for marketing or other non‑essential activities.
By compartmentalising the data flow, Epic aims to maintain user privacy while complying with regulatory expectations. The decision mirrors similar moves by other major platform holders. In the preceding month, Xbox rolled out an age‑verification requirement for Australian customers, obliging them to confirm their eligibility before accessing R18+ titles on both the Microsoft Store for consoles and the Xbox Store for PC.
That rollout was part of a broader effort to meet Australian content‑access laws, which have been tightening in recent years. Microsoft’s approach to age verification is not limited to Australia. The company introduced a comparable system in the United Kingdom in July 2025, shortly after the Office of the eSafety Commissioner (OSA) introduced its own set of guidelines for adult digital content. This UK rollout required users to verify their age before being granted access to mature‑rated games, reinforcing a global trend toward stricter age‑gate controls on gaming platforms.
Valve, the operator of the Steam platform, has also taken steps to enforce age checks in the UK. Steam’s verification mechanism enables users to prove they meet the legal age threshold before they can view or purchase mature‑content games. This initiative reflects a growing consensus among digital distribution services that age‑appropriate safeguards are essential for compliance and consumer protection. The broader context for these changes lies in the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding online content.
Governments worldwide are becoming increasingly vigilant about the accessibility of adult material to minors, and digital storefronts are being called upon to implement robust verification systems. In Australia, the Online Safety Act and related policies set a clear expectation that platforms must actively prevent under‑age users from accessing R18+ content without proper verification. From a user experience standpoint, the introduction of multiple verification pathways seeks to balance security with convenience.
While a selfie check may be the quickest option for some, others might prefer the familiarity of a credit‑card transaction or the formal assurance of a government‑issued ID. The upcoming ConnectID bank‑verification method will likely appeal to users who already have established banking relationships and wish to avoid additional documentation. Industry observers note that these verification tools also present an opportunity for platforms to gather anonymised demographic data that can inform future content strategies, provided that such data collection remains compliant with privacy legislation such as the Australian Privacy Principles.
Epic’s stated commitment to keeping the collected information isolated from its core services should help assuage concerns about data misuse. In summary, Epic Games is set to enforce an age‑verification protocol for all Australian customers seeking R18+ games, leveraging its existing Kids Web Services system and integrating third‑party solutions like Yoti, Stripe, Veriff, and the forthcoming ConnectID. This initiative aligns the store with national online safety standards, mirrors actions taken by competitors such as Microsoft and Valve, and reflects a wider industry shift toward responsible age‑gate enforcement.
The rollout aims to protect younger audiences while preserving a smooth and flexible purchasing experience for adult gamers.