Before you start
Make sure the following are in place. If anything is missing, go back to the Home guided path.- ID@XBOX onboarding complete — see ID@XBOX onboarding.
- Dev PC ready — Visual Studio, Windows SDK, and the GDK installed. See Setup & install.
- Both target environments available — an XBOX Series X|S dev kit and a representative Windows device.
- Partner Center product with both console and desktop/handheld device rows checked (this is what makes it Play Anywhere).
Build & develop
GDK & Engines
One codebase, console + PC.
Cross-device parity
Feature and performance parity.
Packaging
Package for console and Windows.
MicrosoftGame.config
Declare both device families.
Console features
Quick Resume, DirectStorage, Smart Delivery.
Cross-save
Shared saves across devices.
Add services
XBOX Services
Identity, presence, social, cross-save.
PlayFab
LiveOps, economy, multiplayer.
Publish
Overview
Publishing basics.
XBOX Requirements
XR compliance.
Certification
Cert process for both device families.
Store listing
One product page, Play Anywhere badge.
Pricing
Pricing.
Ratings
Age ratings.
Optimize & reference
Optimize
Profilers, diagnostics, and performance tools.
API References
Gaming Runtime, XBOX Services, and platform APIs.