Epic Games has announced that, as of September 9, Australian gamers will be required to prove they are at least 18 years old before they can purchase or download any titles that carry an R18+ rating from the Epic Games Store. This new policy is designed to bring the digital storefront into compliance with Australia’s online safety framework, which mandates that adult‑oriented 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 player, nor will it impact any titles that are classified below the R18+ threshold.
In other words, if a game is already in a user’s library or is rated for a younger audience, no additional checks will be required. The age‑verification step will be handled through Epic’s existing Kids Web Services (KWS) infrastructure, a system originally built to protect younger users from inappropriate material. To make the process as flexible and user‑friendly as possible, Epic is expanding KWS with several third‑party verification partners. Players will be able to choose from a variety of methods: a facial‑recognition selfie check powered by Yoti, a credit‑card verification service provided by Stripe, or a government‑issued identification check facilitated by Veriff.
Each of these options is designed to confirm a user’s age without exposing unnecessary personal data. A fourth method, which will involve bank‑account verification through ConnectID, is slated to become available later in September, giving users even more ways to satisfy the requirement. Epic emphasizes that any data collected during the verification process will be used solely for the purpose of confirming a player’s age. The information will be handled separately from the core KWS system and will not be used for marketing, profiling, or any other secondary purposes.
This separation is intended to reassure users that their privacy is being respected while still meeting the regulatory obligations set out by Australian authorities. The move by Epic mirrors similar steps taken by other major gaming platforms in the region.
Just last month, Microsoft rolled out an age‑verification requirement for its Xbox and Microsoft Store services in Australia. Australian users now must confirm they are over 18 before they can access R18+ titles on either console or PC through those stores.
Microsoft’s implementation follows a broader global trend; the company introduced comparable age‑check mechanisms in the United Kingdom in July 2025, shortly after the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA) came into force. This legislation compels digital platforms to take stronger measures against the exposure of minors to adult content. Valve, the operator of the Steam platform, has also adopted age‑verification procedures for its UK audience. Steam users in the United Kingdom must now verify their age to gain access to mature‑rated games, aligning the platform with the same regulatory standards that have been applied to Epic and Microsoft.
These coordinated efforts across the industry illustrate a growing consensus that age‑appropriate gating of adult content is a necessary component of responsible digital distribution. For Australian gamers, the practical impact of Epic’s new policy will be relatively straightforward. When a user attempts to download or purchase an R18+ title, the store will prompt them to select one of the available verification methods. If a player opts for the selfie check, they will be asked to capture a clear image of their face, which will be compared against age‑estimation algorithms provided by Yoti.
Those who prefer a financial‑based approach can enter credit‑card details, which Stripe will use to confirm that the cardholder meets the age requirement. Alternatively, users can upload a scan or photo of a government‑issued ID, such as a driver’s licence or passport, which Veriff will process to extract the date of birth. Once the chosen method successfully confirms the user is 18 or older, the purchase or download will proceed without further interruption. The upcoming ConnectID option will add a bank‑verification route, allowing users to authenticate their age by linking a verified bank account.
This method is expected to be particularly useful for players who may not have easy access to a credit card or who prefer not to share photographic identification. By diversifying the verification pathways, Epic aims to reduce friction and ensure that as many eligible players as possible can continue to enjoy mature‑rated content without unnecessary barriers. Privacy advocates have praised the decision to keep verification data separate from the broader KWS ecosystem, noting that this approach minimizes the risk of data leakage or misuse.
However, some consumer groups continue to voice concerns about the broader implications of digital age‑gating, arguing that it could set a precedent for increasingly invasive verification practices across other online services. Epic has responded by reiterating its commitment to user privacy and by promising that the collected data will be deleted once the age check is completed, unless the user explicitly consents to further storage for other purposes. In summary, Epic Games Store’s introduction of mandatory age checks for R18+ titles in Australia represents a significant step toward aligning the platform with national online safety regulations. By leveraging its existing Kids Web Services infrastructure and partnering with reputable third‑party verification providers, Epic offers a flexible, privacy‑focused solution that should satisfy both regulators and gamers.
The rollout follows similar initiatives by Microsoft and Valve, indicating a broader industry shift toward more robust age‑verification mechanisms for adult content. Australian players can expect a smooth transition, with multiple verification options designed to accommodate a range of preferences and circumstances, while existing game libraries and non‑adult titles remain unaffected.