Starting on September 9, Epic Games will require anyone in Australia who wishes to download or purchase games classified as R18+ on the Epic Games Store to first prove that they are at least 18 years old. This new requirement is part of the company’s effort to comply with Australia’s online safety regulations, which mandate that adult‑only digital content be restricted to users who have verified their age.
The policy will not affect games that are already owned by a player, nor will it impact titles that carry a rating lower than R18+; those can continue to be accessed without any additional steps. The age‑check mechanism will be integrated into Epic’s existing Kids Web Services (KWS) framework, a system that already handles parental controls and other safety features. To make the process as flexible as possible, Epic is adding several third‑party verification methods that users can choose from.
One option is a selfie‑based verification service called Yoti, which uses facial recognition technology to match a live photo with an identity document. Another alternative is to verify via a credit‑card check powered by Stripe, where a small temporary charge confirms that the cardholder is an adult. A third route involves submitting a government‑issued identification document through Veriff, a platform that validates passports, driver’s licenses, and similar IDs. In addition to these three methods, Epic has announced that a fourth verification pathway will be made available later in September.
This new option will rely on bank‑account verification through ConnectID, allowing users to confirm their age by linking a verified bank account to their Epic profile. All of the data collected during these checks will be used solely for the purpose of age confirmation and will be stored separately from the broader KWS data set, ensuring that personal information is handled with a high degree of privacy and security. The move mirrors similar steps taken by other major gaming platforms in the region. Just a month prior, Microsoft rolled out an age‑verification requirement for Xbox and Microsoft Store users in Australia, obliging them to confirm they are of legal age before they can access R18+ games on either console or PC.
Microsoft’s policy aligns with the same Australian regulatory framework that Epic is now adhering to. Earlier, Microsoft had also introduced comparable age‑verification measures in the United Kingdom in July 2025, shortly after the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA) came into effect, which set new standards for digital content providers. Valve’s Steam platform has followed a similar trajectory, implementing age‑verification procedures for UK users to unlock mature‑content titles. These industry‑wide shifts illustrate a broader trend: digital distribution services are increasingly required to adopt robust age‑gating solutions to satisfy government mandates and protect younger audiences from exposure to adult material.
For Australian gamers, the practical impact of Epic’s new policy will be relatively straightforward. When a user attempts to purchase or download an R18+ game, they will be prompted to select one of the available verification methods.
After completing the chosen verification step—whether that involves taking a selfie, entering credit‑card details, uploading a government ID, or linking a bank account—the system will confirm the user’s age and grant access to the requested title. If the verification fails or the user declines to provide the necessary information, the purchase will be blocked, and the user will be advised to try a different verification method or contact Epic’s support team for assistance. Epic has emphasized that the collected information will not be used for marketing, advertising, or any purpose beyond age confirmation.
The company also assures that all verification data will be processed in compliance with relevant data‑protection laws, including Australia’s Privacy Act and the GDPR where applicable. By keeping the verification data isolated from the broader Kids Web Services ecosystem, Epic aims to minimize the risk of data breaches and maintain user trust.
The introduction of these age checks may raise questions among some players about the convenience and privacy of the process. To address potential concerns, Epic has provided detailed guidance on its website, outlining how each verification method works, what data is stored, and how long it is retained. Users are encouraged to review these resources before proceeding, ensuring they understand the steps involved and feel comfortable with the level of information they are sharing.
Overall, the rollout represents a significant step toward aligning the Epic Games Store with international standards for age‑appropriate content delivery. By offering multiple verification pathways, the company seeks to balance regulatory compliance with user convenience, while also reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding younger audiences from exposure to adult‑only gaming material.
As more platforms adopt similar measures, the gaming ecosystem as a whole is moving toward a more responsible and transparent model for managing mature content across borders.