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Australians must now prove their age to buy R18+ games on the Xbox store
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If you use the Xbox store to buy either Xbox or PC games—and yes, the latter is possible—you may be prompted to verify your age the next time you try to buy an R18+ game.
"Starting August 2026, to comply with Australia regulations, you may need to verify your age before purchasing or accessing apps and games rated 18+ on Microsoft Store and Xbox Store," the email reads.
Latest Videos From PC Gamer Watch full video here:Age verification software has come under deserved scrutiny this year.
As of early 2026 both Australia and the UK have new age verification requirements, as do 25 states in the US.
That said, not all companies are acting fast to abide: Steam, for instance, hasn't implemented more rigorous age verification in Australia, nor has PlayStation.