Epic Games Store to introduce age checks for R18+ video games in Australia

Epic Games would require Australian gamers to verify they’re 18 or older earlier than downloading or shopping for R18+ rated titles on the Epic Games Store, beginning September 9.

According to a report by PocketGamer.biz, the corporate stated the transfer brings it in step with Australia’s online safety code protecting entry to grownup content material. Games gamers already personal, and something rated beneath R18+, will not be affected.

The checks will run by Epic’s present Kids Web Services (KWS) system, which is including a number of additional third-party verification choices, giving gamers the selection to confirm by a selfie (Yoti), bank card (Stripe), or government-issued ID examine (Veriff).

A fourth choice tied to financial institution verification by ConnectID is because of comply with later in September.

Epic stated information collected by any of those strategies will solely be used to confirm a participant’s age and can be gathered independently of KWS.

Last month, Xbox equally started rolling out age verification for customers in Australia. Users should confirm their age to play R18+ video games on the Microsoft and Xbox Store for console and PC, in step with Australian laws.

Microsoft started implementing age verification within the UK in July 2025, shortly after the OSA was launched. Valve additionally launched age verification for Steam customers within the UK to allow entry to mature content material on the platform.