What’s New in Q4 2025 (October-December)

Teams across Microsoft have been busy rolling out a number of tools, documents, and samples to help you optimize your game development process.

Learn More
Xbox Dev Days Hero image

Featured

Resources with a key icon require authorization. Contact your Microsoft representative to get access or apply to join the ID@Xbox program.

Featured Resource

Partner Center

Manage your products and relationships with Microsoft and customers.

Featured Download

Microsoft Game Core (GDK) Unity Plugin

Standalone add-in to empower PC developers with integrated development functionality directly within Unity projects.

Featured Library

Xbox Publisher Guide

A suite of documents and links that describe how to plan, prepare, and launch games for Xbox on PC, Handhelds, and Xbox consoles.

Documentation

Library

Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK) Docs

Microsoft GDK public API reference and conceptual guidance for topics common between building games for Xbox Game Pass for PC on Windows 10/11 and Xbox consoles.

Library

Xbox Live

Take advantage of Xbox Live features and services.

Library

Xbox Live Developer Tools

Tools to help develop and test an Xbox Live enabled title.

Guide

Getting started with your Xbox Dev Kit

Set up and activate your Xbox Dev Kit.

Library

Azure PlayFab

Develop an effective LiveOps strategy and enable a complete backend platform.

Library

Azure Gaming

Build your infrastructure on a gaming cloud with years of experience powering Xbox games and services.

Library

Xbox Game Publishing Guide

Learn about advanced publishing features in Partner Center for managed partners including Add-On Store Listings, Publishing to Sandboxes, creating durable packages (DLC), and more.

Library

GitHub Docs

Learn how to start building, shipping, and maintaining software with GitHub.

Library

Simplygon

Simplygon SDK provides powerful 3d asset optimization algorithms that can be intgrated into your 3d game assets pipeline.

Library

Accessibility Guidelines

Best practices developed in partnership with industry experts and members of the Gaming & Disability Community.

Library

Partner Center Overview

Learn how Microsoft partners manage their relationship with Microsoft and their customers.

Library

Publishing Windows Apps

What you need to create a submission and get your app certified.

Library

Game Streaming Introduction

Get started setting up your title for Xbox Game Streaming and Xbox Remote Play.

Library

PlayFab Engagement

Quickstart guides and tutorials on tools that you can use to engage your player community and keep them coming back.

Library

PlayFab Data

A set of tools for data analytics, storage, processing, and exports.

Library

PlayFab Analytics

How to set up experiments, metrics, reports, and segmentation.

Library

Graphics on Xbox

Overview of Xbox graphics.

Library

PlayFab User Generated Content

Empower your players to create, upload, and search for moderated content.

Downloads

Library

Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK)

Microsoft GDK public GitHub repository for the software and tools needed to build games for Xbox Game Pass for PC on Windows 10/11.

Download

Microsoft Game Development Kit w/ Xbox Extensions (GDKX) Downloads

Microsoft GDKX private download archive for software, tools, samples, and other learning resources (offline docs, conference materials, and more).

Library

Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK) Samples

Public GitHub repository of cross-platform samples supporting game development for Xbox Game Pass for PC on Windows 10/11, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

Library

Microsoft Game Development Kit w/ Xbox Extensions (GDKX) Samples

Private repository of Xbox samples supporting game development for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

Library

Xbox Game Package Manager

A desktop tool designed to simplify and accelerate the packaging and upload process for Xbox games.

Download

Submission Validator

Download the latest updates to Submission Validator

Library

Xbox Live Services API (XSAPI)

The Microsoft Xbox Live Service API (XSAPI) enables game developers to access Xbox Live features, such as profile, social, presence, leaderboards, achievements, multiplayer, and more.

Library

Xbox Live Samples

Learn how to leverage Xbox Live services to grow and engage your game's community with these samples.

Download

Xbox Live Trace Analyzer

Ensure your title is using Xbox Live Services in an optimal fashion.

Library

PlayFab on Xbox Samples

Learn how to use PlayFab in your Xbox title with these samples.

Library

DirectML Samples

Learn Microsoft's DirectML APIs to build runtime optimized implementations of your machine learning models.

Library

DirectX Graphics Samples

Learn how to use the latest DirectX APIs to achieve your artistic vision for your game.

Library

Microsoft Xbox One Development Kit (XDK)

Microsoft XDK private download archive for software, tools, samples, and other learning resources (offline docs, conference materials, and more).

Library

Microsoft Xbox One development Kit (XDK) Samples

Public GitHub repository of legacy samples supporting only Xbox One console development.

Library

Xbox Brand Assets & Game Packaging Templates

Xbox Brand assets and templates to design your assets, including video, digital and print ads, as well as packaging for Xbox games.