XBOX Game Dev Resources

What’s New in Q1 2026 (January-March)

Learn about all the latest game development tools and services that will help you build for what's next on XBOX.

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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

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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.

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XBOX Live

Take advantage of XBOX Live features and services.

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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.

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PlayFab

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

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Azure Gaming

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

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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.

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GitHub Docs

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

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Simplygon

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

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Accessibility Guidelines

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

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Partner Center Overview

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

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Publishing Windows Apps to the Microsoft Store

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

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Game Streaming Introduction

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

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Graphics on XBOX

Overview of XBOX graphics.

Downloads

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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XBOX Game Package Manager

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

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Submission Validator

Download the latest updates to Submission Validator

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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.

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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.

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PlayFab on XBOX Samples

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

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DirectML Samples

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

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DirectX Graphics Samples

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

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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).

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Microsoft XBOX One development Kit (XDK) Samples

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

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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.