Starting on September 9, Epic Games will require players residing in Australia to prove that they are at least 18 years old before they can purchase or download any game classified as R18+ on the Epic Games Store. This new requirement aligns the platform with Australia’s online safety regulations, which mandate that adult‑only digital content be restricted to users who have verified their age. It is important to note that this policy will only affect newly acquired R18+ titles; games that players already own, as well as any titles rated below the R18+ threshold, will remain accessible without any additional checks. The age‑verification workflow will be handled through Epic’s existing Kids Web Services (KWS) infrastructure, which has been expanded to incorporate several third‑party identity‑checking solutions.
Users will be able to select the method that best suits them from the following options: 1. **Selfie verification via Yoti** – Players can submit a real‑time selfie that is cross‑checked against a government‑issued ID using Yoti’s facial‑recognition technology.
2. **Credit‑card verification through Stripe** – By entering a valid credit‑card number, the system can confirm the cardholder’s age based on the issuing bank’s records.
3. **Government‑issued ID verification with Veriff** – This option allows users to upload a scanned copy of a passport, driver’s licence, or other official identification document, which Veriff will then validate. A fourth verification pathway, which will rely on bank‑account confirmation via ConnectID, is slated to become available later in September. This staggered rollout ensures that Epic can monitor the performance of each method and address any technical or privacy concerns before the full suite of options is live.
Epic has emphasized that any personal data gathered during the verification process will be used solely for the purpose of confirming a user’s age. The company asserts that this information will be stored separately from the broader Kids Web Services database and will not be leveraged for marketing, advertising, or any other non‑essential activities. By keeping the data siloed, Epic aims to mitigate privacy risks and comply with both Australian privacy law and its own internal data‑handling policies. The move mirrors similar steps taken by other major gaming platforms in recent months.
Last month, Microsoft began deploying age‑verification checks for Australian users of the Xbox and Microsoft Stores, requiring proof of age before allowing access to R18+ titles on both console and PC. Microsoft’s implementation follows the country’s updated Online Safety Act, which came into effect earlier this year and obliges digital service providers to enforce age‑based restrictions on adult content.
Microsoft’s verification system was first introduced in the United Kingdom in July 2025, shortly after the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA) was enacted. The UK framework also obliges platforms to verify the age of users seeking mature‑rated material, prompting a wave of compliance initiatives across the industry. Valve, the operator of the Steam platform, similarly rolled out an age‑verification requirement for its UK user base, enabling the company to control access to games with mature or adult themes.
These regulatory trends reflect a broader global push toward more stringent digital‑content safeguards, especially for younger audiences. Governments are increasingly scrutinizing how online marketplaces present adult‑oriented media, and they are demanding that companies adopt robust identity‑verification mechanisms to prevent under‑age exposure. For game developers and publishers, these changes mean that the barrier to entry for distributing R18+ content is becoming higher, as they must now ensure that their distribution partners have reliable age‑gating solutions in place. From a consumer perspective, the added verification steps may introduce a slight friction point when purchasing adult‑rated games, but the multiple method options are designed to keep the process as seamless as possible.
Users who already have an account linked to any of the supported services (such as a Stripe‑linked payment method) can complete verification with just a few clicks, while those who prefer a more direct approach can opt for the selfie or ID upload routes. Looking ahead, Epic Games has indicated that it will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the age‑verification system and may explore additional safeguards, such as parental‑control overlays or optional age‑gate reminders for borderline titles. The company’s commitment to privacy, combined with its partnership with reputable third‑party verification providers, suggests that it aims to balance regulatory compliance with user convenience. In summary, the upcoming age‑verification requirement for R18+ games on the Epic Games Store in Australia represents a significant step toward aligning the platform with national online safety standards.
By leveraging its existing Kids Web Services framework and offering a suite of verification methods—including selfie, credit‑card, and government‑ID checks—Epic seeks to protect younger users while still providing adult gamers with access to mature content. This initiative follows similar moves by Microsoft and Valve in other jurisdictions and underscores the growing importance of age‑gating in the digital gaming ecosystem.