Starting on September 9, Epic Games will require players in Australia to prove that they are at least 18 years old before they can purchase or download any games that carry an R18+ rating on the Epic Games Store. This new requirement is intended to align the platform with Australia’s online safety regulations, which mandate that adult‑oriented digital content be restricted to users who have verified they are of legal age. The change will not affect games that are already owned by a user, nor will it impact titles that are rated below the R18+ threshold.
The age‑checking system will be integrated into Epic’s existing Kids Web Services (KWS) infrastructure. In addition to the core KWS capabilities, Epic is expanding the verification toolkit with several third‑party solutions, giving users a choice of how they wish to confirm their age.
One option is a selfie‑based verification service provided by Yoti, which uses facial recognition technology to match the user’s live photo with a government‑issued ID. Another alternative is a credit‑card verification process powered by Stripe, where a small transaction is used to confirm that the cardholder is an adult. A third method involves a document‑verification service from Veriff, which requires users to upload a scan or photo of an official ID such as a passport or driver’s licence.
A fourth verification pathway, based on bank‑account confirmation through ConnectID, is slated to become available later in September. This will allow users to authenticate their age by linking a verified bank account, adding yet another layer of flexibility for those who may prefer not to use a selfie or credit‑card method.
Epic has emphasized that any personal data collected through these verification channels will be used solely for the purpose of confirming a player’s age. The company states that this information will be processed independently of the broader Kids Web Services system and will not be repurposed for marketing, profiling, or any other non‑essential activities.
The move follows a broader industry trend toward stricter age‑gating for mature content in Australia. Last month, Microsoft rolled out a similar age‑verification requirement for Xbox and Microsoft Store users on both console and PC platforms.
Australian gamers who wish to access R18+ titles on those stores must now complete an age‑check before they can download or purchase the content. Microsoft’s rollout mirrors the regulations that have been in place in the United Kingdom since July 2025, when the Online Safety Act (OSA) mandated comparable safeguards for adult digital media. Valve has also taken steps to comply with the same regulatory environment. The company introduced age‑verification mechanisms for Steam users in the UK, enabling the platform to restrict mature‑rated games to verified adults.
While Valve’s system is currently focused on the UK market, the broader push for age verification across major digital distribution platforms suggests that similar measures could be adopted in other regions, including Australia, in the near future. For Australian gamers, the new Epic verification process represents both a compliance measure and a potential inconvenience. Players who are already accustomed to the streamlined checkout experience on the Epic Games Store will now need to allocate a few extra minutes to complete the age‑check the first time they attempt to acquire an R18+ title.
However, the multiple verification options are designed to accommodate a wide range of preferences and privacy concerns. Those who are uncomfortable with facial‑recognition technology can opt for the credit‑card or document‑verification routes, while users who prefer a bank‑linked method can wait for the ConnectID integration later in the month. From a broader perspective, these developments underscore the growing importance of responsible digital distribution.
As game developers continue to push the boundaries of storytelling, realism, and thematic depth, the industry is increasingly called upon to ensure that mature content does not reach underage audiences inadvertently. Age‑verification systems like the one Epic is deploying serve as a practical tool to meet regulatory expectations while still allowing adult gamers to enjoy a full catalogue of titles. In summary, beginning September 9, Australian players of the Epic Games Store will need to verify that they are 18 or older before they can download or purchase any R18+ rated games.
The verification will be handled through Epic’s Kids Web Services platform, offering four distinct methods—selfie verification via Yoti, credit‑card verification via Stripe, ID document verification via Veriff, and a forthcoming bank‑verification option via ConnectID. Data collected will be used exclusively for age confirmation and will be kept separate from other Epic services. This initiative aligns Epic with recent industry moves by Microsoft and Valve to enforce age‑gating for mature content, reflecting a global shift toward stricter online safety standards for adult‑oriented digital media.