Xbox game publishing readiness checklist

Before publishing your game for release on Xbox consoles and Xbox on PC, it's important to thoroughly review your configuration in Partner Center. This checklist will guide you through a review of your game's settings, metadata and release schedule, helping you to publish with confidence.

Before you begin

This checklist assumes that you're signed into Microsoft Partner Center, have located the game to be reviewed and have access to modify all modules, such as Store listings, Pricing and availability, Properties, Gaming metadata and Packages. This checklist is designed for Game products, but it's also important to validate the settings for any Bundles or Add-ons that will release alongside your game.

Step 1: Game setup

Complete the checks below in the Game setup module for your game.

1. Confirm that the Retail checkbox has been selected for each platform your game supports.
   • Select Desktop if you're releasing a game for Xbox on PC.
   • Select Xbox if you're releasing a game for Xbox consoles.

Step 2: Packages

Complete the checks below in the Packages module for your game.

1. Confirm that your game's packages have passed Xbox Certification, as indicated by a green banner at the top of the branch containing the package.
   • For Xbox console games, confirm you have an approved .xvc package for Xbox One and/or Xbox Series X|S.
   • For Xbox on PC games, confirm you have an approved .msixvc package.
   • If your packages haven't passed Certification, review your latest Certification Report, resolve all issues listed that are designated as BVT (Build Verification Test) Failure or CFR (Condition For Resubmission) and if required, build a new package. After testing the new package to confirm all issues are resolved, submit it for Certification.
2. Import your packages to the Main branch if they were submitted to Certification from any other branch.
   • To import, select the Main branch, then select Import and then select the source branch containing your packages.
   • Only the Main branch can be used to publish to the RETAIL sandbox.
3. Confirm that the Contains placeholder packages to enable pre-order checkbox isn't selected, unless you're publishing a placeholder package.
4. If required, confirm that your package's availability and predownload dates are configured correctly. For more information, see Packages - advanced settings.

Step 3: Properties

Complete the checks below in the Properties module for your game.

Basic Info

1. Confirm that the Basic info settings are configured accurately and in full, including correct settings for elements like Player modes, Accessibility testing and online gameplay requirements.
   • Don't select any properties that aren't supported by your game. For example, if your game hasn't been tested to meet accessibility guidelines, leave this unchecked.

For more information, see Properties - Basic info.

Technical Capabilities

1. Confirm that the Technical capabilities settings are configured accurately and in full, including correct settings for elements like 4K, Optimized for Xbox Series X|S and Removable storage.
   • Don't select any technical capabilities that aren't supported by your game. For example, if you're only releasing an Xbox One package, don't select Smart Delivery.
2. If your game is releasing for Xbox on PC, confirm that PC-specific technical capabilities are configured accurately, including settings for elements like Input Devices and Minimum and recommended specifications. Confirm that these settings aren't configured if your game is only releasing for Xbox consoles.

For more information, see Properties - Technical capabilities.

Xbox services

1. Confirm that the Xbox services settings are configured accurately for the features that your game supports.
   • Note: Achievements should be selected for all full games releasing on Xbox consoles and Xbox on PC, because Achievements are mandatory as described in XR-055. Achievements aren't mandatory for Game Preview games or Game Demos, including betas.

For more information, see Properties overview.

Step 4: Age ratings

Complete the checks below in the Age ratings module for your game.

1. Confirm that you've completed the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) survey accurately and in full. If any answers have changed since the survey was previously completed, retake it to ensure that you have the correct age ratings applied.
2. If you've manually configured any age ratings and uploaded a rating certificate, confirm that the rating value and descriptors match the certificate. Also confirm that the age rating certificate is valid for all platforms that your game supports, for example Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
3. Take note of any warnings displayed at the bottom of the age ratings page. These warnings might include a requirement to retake the IARC survey, or notice that age ratings can't be issued for specific markets.
4. Confirm that you have valid age ratings for all markets that you've selected in the Pricing and availability module.

For more information about age ratings policy, see XR-017: Age Ratings. For more information about configuring age ratings in Partner Center, see Age Ratings.

Step 5: Store listings

Complete the checks below in the Store listings module for your game.

1. Confirm that your localized Store listings show as Complete for all languages required by the Xbox Games Store policy (available in the Xbox Publisher Guide), and any other agreement you might have with Microsoft.
2. Confirm that the Store listings have been submitted for Certification and are approved, as indicated by a green banner at the top of the branch containing your latest listings information.
3. Import your Store listings to the Main branch if they were submitted to Certification from any other branch.
   • To import to the Main branch, first select Export from the branch where the listings are configured to generate a .xlsx file, then select Import on the Main branch and upload the exported .xlsx file.

Step 6: Pricing and availability

Complete the checks below in the Pricing and availability module for your game.

Markets and availability

1. Select the Show markets link and confirm that you've selected all markets where you intend to release your game.
2. If desired, ensure that you've configured Private Audience. Private audience prevents unauthorised users from accessing your game's Product Details Page (PDP) in the Microsoft Store prior to the configured availability date.
3. Confirm that the correct Discoverability option has been selected.
4. If your game is configured to be available and discoverable in the Microsoft Store, confirm that the Schedule is configured with the correct dates for your release.
   1. Confirm that the Release date matches your intended release date.
   2. If required, confirm that the Pre-order date matches your intended pre-order start date.
   3. If required, confirm that the Discoverable date matches your intended PDP availability date, if this is different from the pre-order or release date. This is typically used in scenarios where your game is available for wishlisting.
   4. If required, confirm that the Stop acquisition and No longer discoverable in the Microsoft Store dates are correct.
5. Confirm that the Display release date option isn't configured, unless recommended by your Microsoft contacts.

For more information about the typical settings for a new game release, see How-to: Visible and purchasable products.

Pricing and trials

1. Confirm that the correct Base price has been configured.
2. If you haven't customized your pricing for specific markets, select Review price per market and confirm that the automatic price conversions are aligned with your expectations.
3. If you need to customize pricing for specific markets, confirm that the markets and associated price are configured as expected.
4. If you're offering a free trial of your game, confirm that the correct type of trial is selected and that the Start and End dates are correct. For more information about trials, see Game trials.

Step 7: Gaming metadata

Complete the checks below in the Gaming metadata module for your game.

1. Confirm that the Accessibility features are completed accurately and in full.
   • Only select features for which you've confirmed your game meets the requirements. For more information, see Accessibility Feature Tags.
2. Confirm that the Supported languages are configured correctly as supported by your game.
3. Confirm that no configuration has been entered for the Game Pass setting, unless requested by your Microsoft contacts. This is not required for all Game Pass products.
4. Confirm that the External content settings are configured as desired.

Step 8: Xbox services

Complete the checks below in the Xbox services modules for your game.

Xbox services - gameplay settings

1. Make a note of the source sandbox that has your completed Xbox services gameplay settings. You'll need to select this source sandbox when you publish your game to RETAIL. The source sandbox should have all gameplay settings configured as intended for release to players.

Xbox services - Xbox settings

1. Confirm that you've entered any Localized title names if required for your game. These names mustn't be placeholder or for another product.
2. Confirm that Yes I will be publishing achievements is selected, unless otherwise directed by your Microsoft contacts.
3. Confirm that the Device families selected match the platforms that your game will release for.
4. If required, confirm that the Xbox embargo date has been configured. This is typically recommended for new game releases. For more information, see Xbox settings - embargo.

Next steps

• Publishing to RETAIL