Starting on September 9, Epic Games will require players in Australia to prove they are at least 18 years old before they can download or purchase any titles that carry an R18+ rating on the Epic Games Store. This new policy is designed to bring the platform into compliance with Australia’s online safety framework, which mandates age checks for adult-oriented digital content.
The rule will not affect games that are already owned by users, nor will it impact any titles that are classified below the R18+ threshold. The age‑verification procedure will be handled through Epic’s existing Kids Web Services (KWS) infrastructure, which is being expanded with a suite of third‑party verification tools. Players will be able to choose from several methods to confirm their age: a selfie‑based verification service provided by Yoti, a credit‑card check powered by Stripe, or a government‑issued identification verification offered by Veriff.
Each of these options is designed to be quick and secure, allowing users to complete the process without excessive friction. In addition to the three initial methods, Epic has announced a fourth verification avenue that will be rolled out later in September.
This option will involve bank‑level verification through ConnectID, giving users yet another reliable way to demonstrate they meet the age requirement. All data collected through any of these channels will be used solely for the purpose of age confirmation and will be kept separate from the broader KWS data set, ensuring that personal information is handled with appropriate privacy safeguards. The move follows a broader industry trend toward stricter age‑gating for mature content in Australia. Just last month, Microsoft’s Xbox platform began deploying a similar age‑verification system for Australian users.
Xbox customers now must verify their age before they can access R18+ games on both the Microsoft Store and the Xbox Store, whether they are playing on a console or a PC. This step aligns the Xbox ecosystem with the same regulatory expectations that Epic is now meeting. Microsoft’s rollout is part of a larger, global effort to enforce age restrictions on adult‑rated games.
The company introduced age verification in the United Kingdom in July 2025, shortly after the Office of the eSafety Commissioner (OSA) issued new guidelines for online platforms. Valve, the operator of Steam, has also adopted age‑verification measures for its UK user base, allowing the platform to unlock mature‑content libraries only after a user’s age has been confirmed. The Australian government’s online safety code, which came into effect earlier this year, requires digital distributors to implement robust mechanisms that prevent minors from accessing content deemed unsuitable for their age group.
By integrating these verification steps, Epic Games not only complies with the law but also demonstrates a commitment to protecting younger gamers from exposure to potentially harmful material. For players who already own R18+ titles, the new policy will not retroactively restrict access. Existing owners will retain the ability to launch and play their games without undergoing the verification process again, as the age check is applied only at the point of purchase or initial download of new R18+ content. This approach balances regulatory compliance with user convenience, ensuring that long‑time customers are not unduly inconvenienced.
From a technical standpoint, the integration of multiple verification providers into the KWS platform required significant backend development. Epic had to ensure that each third‑party service could communicate securely with its servers, transmit only the minimal data required for age confirmation, and delete or anonymize that data after verification is complete. The inclusion of ConnectID’s bank verification adds an extra layer of security, as it leverages financial institution APIs to confirm a user’s age without exposing sensitive banking details.
Privacy advocates have praised Epic’s decision to keep verification data isolated from other user information. By storing age‑verification records separately, the company reduces the risk of cross‑linking personal data across different services, a practice that has drawn criticism in other sectors. Epic’s public statements emphasize that the collected data will be used exclusively for age‑gating and will not be shared with advertisers or third parties for marketing purposes.
Looking ahead, the industry may see further refinements to age‑verification technology. Biometric solutions, such as facial recognition or fingerprint scanning, could become more prevalent as hardware capabilities improve. However, Epic’s current suite of options—selfie verification, credit‑card checks, government ID validation, and bank verification—covers a broad spectrum of user preferences and accessibility needs, ensuring that most Australians will find a method that works for them. In summary, Epic Games’ new age‑verification requirement for R18+ games in Australia represents a significant step toward aligning the platform with national online safety standards.
By leveraging its Kids Web Services framework and partnering with reputable third‑party providers, Epic offers a flexible, privacy‑focused solution that safeguards younger audiences while preserving a smooth purchasing experience for adult gamers. The rollout follows similar moves by Xbox, Microsoft, and Valve, underscoring a global shift toward stricter age controls for mature gaming content.