Starting on September 9, Epic Games will require anyone in Australia who wishes to download or purchase games rated R18+ on the Epic Games Store to first prove they are at least 18 years old. This new requirement is designed to bring the platform into compliance with Australia’s online safety regulations, which mandate that adult‑only content be restricted to users who have verified their age.
The change will not affect games that are already owned by a player, nor will it impact titles that carry a rating lower than R18+; those will continue to be accessible without any additional checks. The age‑verification step will be handled through Epic’s existing Kids Web Services (KWS) infrastructure, which is being expanded with a suite of third‑party verification tools.
Players will be able to choose from several methods to confirm their age: a selfie‑based verification service provided by Yoti, a credit‑card verification process powered by Stripe, or a government‑issued identification check facilitated by Veriff. Each of these options is intended to offer a balance of convenience and security, allowing users to select the method they are most comfortable with while still meeting the legal requirements. In addition to the three initial methods, Epic has announced that a fourth verification pathway will be introduced later in September. This new option will involve bank‑account verification via ConnectID, further broadening the range of tools available to Australian gamers.
Regardless of which method a user selects, Epic assures that the personal data collected will be used solely for the purpose of age verification and will be processed independently of the broader Kids Web Services system, thereby limiting exposure of sensitive information. The move by Epic follows a similar trend among other major gaming platforms.
Just last month, Microsoft rolled out age‑verification requirements for its Xbox and Microsoft Store services in Australia, obliging users to confirm they are of legal age before they can access R18+ titles on both console and PC. Microsoft’s approach mirrors the Australian regulatory framework, which seeks to protect younger audiences from adult content while still allowing adults to enjoy mature games. Microsoft’s age‑verification system was first introduced in the United Kingdom in July 2025, shortly after the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA) came into effect.
The OSA imposes strict obligations on digital services to verify the age of users seeking adult‑only material, prompting a wave of compliance initiatives across the industry. Following Microsoft’s lead, Valve also implemented an age‑verification mechanism for Steam users in the UK, ensuring that mature‑rated games are only accessible to verified adults.
Epic’s decision to adopt a multi‑option verification framework reflects a growing recognition that a one‑size‑fits‑all approach may not be suitable for a global user base. By offering a selfie check, a credit‑card validation, an ID scan, and an upcoming bank verification, the company aims to accommodate a variety of user preferences and regional banking or identification systems. This flexibility is particularly important in a market like Australia, where users may have differing levels of comfort with sharing personal data online.
From a technical standpoint, integrating these third‑party services into the KWS platform required careful coordination to ensure that the verification process is both seamless and secure. Each provider—Yoti, Stripe, Veriff, and ConnectID—has its own set of compliance certifications and data‑privacy safeguards, which Epic has vetted to align with both Australian privacy law and its internal data‑handling policies.
The verification data is stored in an isolated environment, separate from the main user account information, to minimize any risk of cross‑contamination or unauthorized access. The broader implications of these age‑verification measures extend beyond mere regulatory compliance.
For developers and publishers, the assurance that only eligible adults can purchase R18+ titles may influence content creation decisions, potentially encouraging the production of more mature narratives and themes, knowing that the audience will be appropriately filtered. For parents and guardians, the added layer of protection offers peace of mind that their children are less likely to encounter adult‑only material inadvertently.
Critics of age‑verification systems often raise concerns about privacy and the potential for data breaches. Epic has responded by emphasizing that the information gathered during verification will not be used for marketing, will not be shared with third parties beyond the verification providers, and will be deleted once the age check is successfully completed. This stance is intended to address privacy anxieties while still meeting the legal obligations set forth by Australian authorities. In summary, Epic Games is set to enforce age verification for all R18+ games on its Australian storefront beginning September 9, utilizing its Kids Web Services platform augmented with multiple third‑party verification options.
This initiative aligns the company with national online safety standards, mirrors similar actions taken by Microsoft and Valve in other regions, and reflects a broader industry shift toward more robust age‑gating mechanisms. By providing several verification pathways—selfie, credit‑card, government ID, and soon bank verification—Epic aims to balance user convenience with regulatory compliance, all while safeguarding user data and maintaining the integrity of its gaming ecosystem.