Starting on September 9, Epic Games will mandate that players in Australia prove they are at least 18 years old before they can purchase or download any game that carries an R18+ rating on the Epic Games Store. This new requirement is part of Epic's effort to align its service with the country's online safety regulations, which specifically address the accessibility of adult-oriented digital content.
The rule will not affect games that players have already bought, nor will it impact titles that are classified below the R18+ threshold; those will remain freely accessible to all users regardless of age. The age‑verification procedure will be handled through Epic's pre‑existing Kids Web Services (KWS) framework, which is being expanded to incorporate a suite of third‑party verification tools.
Users will be presented with several options for confirming their age. One method involves taking a selfie that is processed by Yoti, a digital identity verification service that matches facial features against official records. Another option allows users to verify their age by providing a credit‑card number, which will be processed securely via Stripe's payment verification system.
A third alternative uses Veriff, a platform that checks government‑issued identification documents such as passports or driver’s licences to confirm the holder’s age. In addition to these three choices, Epic plans to roll out a fourth verification pathway later in September that will rely on bank‑level authentication through ConnectID.
This method will link the user’s banking information to the verification process, offering yet another layer of flexibility for those who prefer not to use a selfie or credit‑card method. Epic has emphasized that any personal data collected during the verification steps will be used solely for the purpose of confirming the user’s age. The company assures that this information will be processed independently of the broader Kids Web Services ecosystem, meaning it will not be merged with other user data or used for unrelated purposes. This separation is intended to address privacy concerns and comply with Australian data‑protection standards.
The move follows a broader industry trend toward stricter age‑gate enforcement in Australia. Last month, Microsoft announced that its Xbox platform would begin requiring age verification for Australian users who wish to access R18+ titles on both the console and PC versions of the Microsoft Store. The verification on Xbox mirrors the same regulatory expectations, ensuring that only adults can obtain mature‑rated games.
Microsoft’s approach is not limited to Australia. The company introduced a similar age‑verification system in the United Kingdom in July 2025, shortly after the Office of the eSafety Commissioner (OSA) rolled out its own framework for adult‑content access. This UK rollout required users to prove they were 18 or older before they could purchase or download any game classified as mature, reflecting a growing global consensus on protecting younger audiences from inappropriate digital media. Valve, the operator of the Steam platform, has also taken steps to comply with the UK’s new rules.
Steam now requires users to undergo age verification before they can view or purchase mature‑rated content. The verification process on Steam typically involves linking a government‑issued ID to the user’s account, ensuring that the platform can reliably restrict access to adult material. These industry‑wide changes illustrate a shift toward more rigorous age‑gate mechanisms across major digital distribution services.
The underlying motivation is twofold: firstly, to meet the legal obligations imposed by national regulators, and secondly, to demonstrate corporate responsibility in safeguarding minors from exposure to potentially harmful or unsuitable content. By providing multiple verification avenues, Epic Games aims to reduce friction for legitimate adult users while maintaining a robust barrier against under‑age access. For gamers in Australia, the practical impact of Epic’s new policy will be relatively straightforward. When a user attempts to download or purchase an R18+ title, the platform will prompt them to select one of the available verification methods.
After completing the chosen process—whether it be a selfie scan, a credit‑card check, an ID upload, or a future bank verification—the system will confirm the user’s age and grant access if the user is confirmed to be 18 or older. If the verification fails or the user is found to be under the required age, the purchase will be blocked, and the user will be advised that the content is not available to them. Overall, Epic Games’ decision to introduce age checks for adult‑rated games aligns it with both local Australian legislation and the broader global movement toward more responsible digital content distribution.
By leveraging existing verification infrastructure and adding flexible, privacy‑focused options, Epic seeks to balance regulatory compliance with a smooth user experience for adult gamers.