Epic Games Store To Add Age Checks For R18+ Games In Australia Starting Sept 9

Epic adds age checks for R18+ games in Australia

Epic Games will start asking Australian players to confirm they are 18 or older before they can buy or download R18+ rated games on the Epic Games Store, effective September 9. The change covers only R18+ titles – games owned already and those rated below R18+ won’t be affected.

The company says the update aligns Epic with Australia’s online safety code for access to adult content, and is part of a broader push across platforms to tighten age verification for mature games.

How the verification process will work

The new checks will use Epic’s existing Kids Web Services (KWS) system while adding multiple third-party verification choices. Players will be able to prove their age via a selfie option through Yoti, a credit card check via Stripe, or a government ID verification with Veriff.

A bank-linked verification option using ConnectID is scheduled to roll out later in September, giving users another way to confirm their age.

“The additional verification choices are designed to be flexible so players can pick the method that works best for them,” a spokesperson summarized on the company’s approach.

Data handling and privacy assurances

Epic clarified that any information collected through these verification methods will be used solely to confirm age and will be gathered independently of KWS. The company framed the process as narrowly focused on age validation rather than broader data collection.

This separation is meant to reassure users that verification checks won’t affect game ownership or access to non-R18+ content.

Where this fits in the wider industry

The move follows similar steps by other platform holders. Last month, Xbox began rolling out age verification for Australian users – a requirement to access R18+ games on the Microsoft and Xbox Stores for console and PC in line with Australian rules.

Microsoft had also started age checks in the UK in July 2025 shortly after the Office of the eSafety Commissioner’s online safety arrangements took effect, and Valve likewise added UK age verification for Steam users to access mature content.