Epic Games has announced that, beginning on September 9, Australian users will be required to prove they are at least 18 years old before they can purchase or download any games 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‑only content be restricted to users who have verified their age.
The change does not affect games that a player already owns, nor does it apply to titles that are rated below the R18+ threshold; those will continue to be available without any additional checks. The age‑verification procedure will be handled through Epic’s pre‑existing Kids Web Services (KWS) infrastructure.
To make the process as flexible as possible, Epic is integrating several third‑party verification providers, allowing users to select the method that best suits them. One option is a selfie‑based verification service provided by Yoti, which uses facial recognition technology to confirm that the user is an adult. Another alternative is a credit‑card verification route powered by Stripe, where a valid payment card can serve as proof of age.
A third pathway involves submitting a government‑issued identification document, such as a driver’s licence or passport, which will be checked by Veriff, a specialist identity‑verification company. In addition to these three options, Epic has announced that a fourth verification method will be added later in September.
This new avenue will rely on bank‑account verification through ConnectID, giving users yet another convenient way to satisfy the age‑check requirement without having to provide a selfie or a physical ID document. Epic has emphasized that any personal data gathered through these verification channels will be used solely for the purpose of confirming a user’s age. The company states that the information will be processed independently of the broader Kids Web Services system, meaning that the data will not be cross‑referenced with other services or used for marketing purposes. This approach is intended to address privacy concerns and to reassure users that their sensitive information will be handled responsibly.
The move by Epic follows a broader industry trend toward stricter age‑verification measures in Australia. Just last month, Microsoft rolled out a similar requirement for Xbox and Microsoft Store users in the country. Australian gamers who wish to access R18+ titles on those platforms must now undergo an age‑verification step, aligning the console and PC marketplaces with the nation’s regulatory standards. Microsoft’s rollout mirrors earlier actions taken in the United Kingdom, where the Online Safety Act prompted the company to introduce age checks for adult content in July 2025.
Valve, the operator of the Steam platform, has also adopted comparable measures in the UK, implementing an age‑verification system that enables mature‑content filters for users who have proven they are of legal age. These industry‑wide shifts reflect growing governmental pressure worldwide to protect younger audiences from exposure to explicit material while still preserving adult gamers’ ability to access age‑appropriate content.
For Australian players, the practical impact of Epic’s new policy will be straightforward. When a user attempts to download or purchase an R18+ game, the storefront will prompt them to select one of the available verification methods. After successfully completing the chosen verification step, the user will be granted access to the requested title.
If the verification fails or the user declines to provide the required information, the purchase will be blocked, and the game will remain inaccessible. It is worth noting that the verification process is expected to be relatively quick, especially when using the credit‑card or selfie options, which can often be completed within a few minutes. The government‑ID route may take slightly longer, as it involves manual review by Veriff to ensure the authenticity of the documents submitted. The upcoming ConnectID bank verification is anticipated to be similarly swift, leveraging existing banking APIs to confirm the user’s age without the need for additional paperwork.
From a broader perspective, these developments highlight the evolving relationship between game distributors and regulatory bodies. As governments around the world tighten rules around digital content, companies like Epic, Microsoft, and Valve are adapting their platforms to meet legal obligations while striving to maintain a seamless user experience.
The balance between compliance, privacy, and convenience remains a central challenge, but the introduction of multiple verification pathways suggests that the industry is seeking to give players as much choice as possible. In summary, starting September 9, Australian gamers will need to verify that they are 18 or older before they can obtain any R18+ games from the Epic Games Store.
The verification will be conducted through Epic’s Kids Web Services system, offering four distinct methods—selfie verification via Yoti, credit‑card verification via Stripe, government ID verification via Veriff, and a forthcoming bank verification via ConnectID. Epic assures users that the data collected will be used exclusively for age confirmation and will be kept separate from other services. This initiative aligns Epic with recent age‑verification implementations by Microsoft in Australia and by Valve and Microsoft in the United Kingdom, reflecting a global shift toward stricter control of adult‑only digital content.