> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://devdocs.xbox.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Certification for Beta and XBOX Game Preview titles

> Learn how the reduced XR set for Beta and XBOX Game Preview titles differs from Final Cert, including thresholds, advisory XRs, and open beta rules.

<Info>
  **Version 12.1** — April 1, 2024
</Info>

## Introduction

XBOX offers the option to test Betas and Game Previews against a reduced set of XBOX Requirements, as players expect these products to be unfinished.

* For a summary of the changes in this release, see [changes in this release](#changes-in-this-release) at the bottom of this page.
* To review the historical change log of XRs and test cases, see [Change History for XBOX Requirements and Test Cases](/publishing/certification/xr-change-history).

## Betas

Microsoft must approve all beta products and validate them for Submission Checks. In addition, products made available to consumers are also subject to and validated against the XRs listed below.

All Open Betas must be certified before they can be released. For Closed Betas, however, the distribution type and size of the release determine the certification requirement:

* Closed Betas that have \<10,000 users and are managed by the Publisher **are not** subject to a Beta XR review before the release but are subject to a review by Microsoft.
* Closed Betas that have ≥10,000 users and are managed by the Publisher **are** subject to a Beta XR review before the release.
* Closed Betas that have \<50,000 users and are managed by the XBOX Insiders Program **are not** subject to a Beta XR review but are subject to a review by Microsoft.
* Closed Betas that have ≥50,000 users and are managed by the XBOX Insiders Program **are** subject to a Beta XR review before the release.

In general, beta products are separate from the full game. All XRs are applicable when only the full game is prepared for the release. In addition, none of the exceptions filed for the beta release are applicable to the full game unless also filed under the full game. In limited scenarios (such as Free to Play), when a beta migrates to a full title, it must undergo a full certification pass, and all XRs are applicable.

## Game Preview

Game Preview titles require certification and adherence to the XRs listed below. Although the number of requirements is reduced for titles in the Game Preview program, this might not shorten the overall time frame necessary for updates. When a title exits the Game Preview program, it must undergo a full certification pass, and all XRs are applicable.

## Requirements for Betas and Game Preview titles

Beta and Game Preview titles must meet the following XRs for certification:

| Requirement                                                               | XBOX Consoles — Betas | XBOX Consoles — XBOX Game Preview | Windows 10 — Betas | Windows 10 — Game Previews |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :-------------------: | :-------------------------------: | :----------------: | :------------------------: |
| XR-003: Title Quality for Submission (Submission Validator portions only) |          Yes          |                Yes                |                    |                            |
| XR-109: Linking Between Apps                                              |          Yes          |                Yes                |                    |                            |
| XR-009: Secure Title Development                                          |          Yes          |                Yes                |                    |                            |
| XR-132: Service Access Limitation                                         |          Yes          |                Yes                |         Yes        |             Yes            |
| XR-133: Local Storage Write Limitations                                   |          Yes          |                Yes                |                    |                            |
| XR-013: Linking Microsoft Accounts with Publisher Accounts                |          Yes          |                Yes                |         Yes        |             Yes            |
| XR-014: Personal Information                                              |          Yes          |                Yes                |                    |                            |
| XR-015: Managing Player Communication                                     |          Yes          |                Yes                |         Yes        |             Yes            |
| XR-017: Title Ratings                                                     |                       |                Yes                |                    |                            |
| XR-022: Official Naming Standards                                         |          Yes          |                Yes                |         Yes        |             Yes            |
| XR-045: XBOX network and Account Privileges                               |          Yes          |                Yes                |         Yes        |             Yes            |
| XR-046: Display Name and Gamerpic                                         |          Yes          |                Yes                |         Yes        |             Yes            |
| XR-048: Profile Settings Usage                                            |          Yes          |                Yes                |         Yes        |             Yes            |
| XR-064: Joinable Game Sessions and Online Play                            |          Yes          |                Yes                |         Yes        |             Yes            |
| XR-067: Maintaining Multiplayer Session State                             |          Yes          |                Yes                |         Yes        |             Yes            |
| XR-070: XBOX Friends Lists                                                |          Yes          |                Yes                |                    |                            |
| XR-117: Beta/Game Preview Notification                                    |          Yes          |                Yes                |         Yes        |             Yes            |
| XBOX Network Achievement Requirements (if offered)                        |          N/A          |                Yes                |         N/A        |             Yes            |

## Changes in this release

| Date          | Version of the document | Description of changes                                                         |
| ------------- | ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| April 1, 2024 | 12.1                    | Removed XR-133 from PC Beta and Game Preview requirements as it doesn't apply. |


## Related topics

- [Cert Bypass Program](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/certification/cert-bypass.md)
- [XR-117 Beta / Game Preview Notification](/publishing/certification/xr/xr-117.md)
- [FMA: XR-117 Beta/Game Preview Notification](/publishing/certification/fma/xr-117.md)
- [XBOX Certification overview](/publishing/certification/overview.md)
- [XBOX Requirements (XRs) certification reference](/publishing/certification/xbox-requirements.md)