​

XR-130: XBOX Console Families and Generations *

Version 2.0, 11/01/2025 All game titles targeting a console generation must support the entire family of devices for that generation. XBOX One games not using Smart Delivery function by default on XBOX Series X|S in compatibility mode. Games using Smart Delivery must work properly when running in compatibility mode on XBOX Series X|S. To maintain consistency across console generations, games must:

• Support navigation via gamepad input. Titles may require additional peripherals for use with prior approval.
• Ensure that saved games work across console types within the generation.
• Ensure that online players are not segmented based on console type within the generation.
• Ensure that identical game modes are offered across console types within the generation.
• Between generations (XBOX One and XBOX Series X|S), games which share the same TitleID must:
  • Support game save roaming for content available on both generations (XR-052: User State and Title-Save Location, Roaming and Dependencies).
  • Though not required, it is recommended that scenarios in which multiplayer, cooperative or competitive, experiences are supported offer at least one shared matchmaking hopper and allow for cross generation invite/join for shared content experiences.

​

Certification test cases

​

130-01 Controller Input

Tools Needed

• 1 XBOX One
• 1 XBOX One S
• 1 XBOX One X
• 1 XBOX Series X Dev Kit (using XBOX Series X|S retail console mode)

Test Steps

1. Sign into an XBOX profile.
2. Launch the title.
3. Navigate all areas of the title and verify the title accepts navigation via controller input in each area.
4. Repeat all steps above across all generations of devices.

Expected Result The title supports navigation via a controller in all areas of the title and doesn’t feature compulsory scenarios for other input devices, such as a keyboard/mouse. Titles may require additional peripherals for use with prior approval. Pass Examples

1. The title accepts input from a controller in all areas of the title.

Fail Examples

1. The title accepts input from only a keyboard and/or mouse in certain areas of the title.

​

130-02 Save Game Roaming

Tools Needed

• 1 XBOX One
• 1 XBOX One S
• 1 XBOX One X
• 1 XBOX Series X Dev Kit (using XBOX Series X|S retail console mode)

Test Steps

1. Sign into an XBOX profile on device A and launch the title.
2. Begin gameplay and make save progress (if possible, create a settings save by changing or adding a new setting configuration).
3. Exit the title.
4. Sign in on a different device from the same generation with the same profile used in Step 1.
5. Launch the same title from Step 1 and verify that all saved games and any settings and/or configuration files can be accessed and loaded correctly and they don’t have any dependencies on a specific same generation device.
6. Repeat all steps above across the same generation of devices.
7. For games which share the same TitleID across generations (XBOX One and XBOX Series X), repeat steps 1-4 for content available on both generations.

Expected Result Save games must work in their entirety across the same generation and save games must work in their entirety for games that share the same TitleID across generations (XBOX One and XBOX Series X) for content available on both generations. Pass Examples

1. A game save made on an XBOX One S works on an XBOX One and XBOX One X, and vice versa across the whole family of XBOX One devices.
2. A game save must work for games that share the same TitleID across generations (XBOX One and XBOX Series X) for content available on both generations.

Fail Examples

1. A game save made in one generation (XBOX One or XBOX Series X) does not fully load across all device types in that generation.
2. A game save does not fully load for games that share the same TitleID across generations (XBOX One and XBOX Series X) for content available on both generations.

​

130-03 Online Segmentation

Tools Needed

• 1 XBOX One
• 1 XBOX One S
• 1 XBOX One X
• 1 XBOX Series X Dev Kit (using XBOX Series X|S retail console mode)

Test Steps

1. Sign into an XBOX profile and launch the title on all device types in the same generation.
2. Complete an XBOX network multiplayer game session featuring all devices.
3. Repeat step 2 across all XBOX network multiplayer modes supported by the title.

Expected Result XBOX network players must be able to join other XBOX network players irrespective of which console type is being used from the same generation. Pass Examples

1. All consoles from the same generation of devices are able play against each other in multiplayer gameplay.

Fail Examples

1. XBOX network players are segmented within the same generation based on their XBOX One console type.

​

130-04 Featured Game Modes

Tools Needed

• 1 XBOX One
• 1 XBOX One S
• 1 XBOX One X
• 1 XBOX Series X Dev Kit (using XBOX Series X|S retail console mode)

Test Steps

1. Sign into an XBOX profile and launch the title.
2. Locate and access all featured game modes.
3. Repeat all steps above across the same generation of devices and ensure all game modes are identical on each device.

Expected Result Identical game modes must be offered across the same generation of devices. Pass Examples

1. All consoles from the same generation of devices provide the same set of identical game modes.

Fail Examples

1. One or more consoles from same generation of devices provides different game modes based on their same generation console type.

​

130-05 Compatibility Mode

Configuration

• One XBOX Series X Dev Kit (using XBOX Series X|S retail console mode)

On retail consoles, a game will be suspended under the following conditions:

• When the console enters Connected Standby by being turned off with the power mode set to Instant-on.
• When the game remains out of focus for ten minutes. For example, launching an application such as Settings and keeping it in focus for ten minutes.

For the purposes of this test case, both methods at Step 6 should be verified. Test Steps

1. For XBOX One titles, sign into an XBOX profile with the console power mode set to Instant-on.
2. Play through the title and ensure that the title performs as expected in compatibility mode.
3. Look to identify any areas where game performance, visuals, or audio is noticeably inferior between XBOX Series X to XBOX One X.
   • Check all different resolution outputs for performance issues.
   • Check Auto HDR with an HDR compatible screen.
4. Repeat Step 3 but this time look to identify any areas where game performance, visuals, or audio is noticeably inferior on the XBOX Series S to XBOX One S.
5. Ensure multiplayer fidelity between XBOX Series X|S devices and also between XBOX One and XBOX Series X|S devices (where supported).
   • Check matchmaking.
   • Check invites in both directions.
   • Check joining via the shell in both directions.
6. Ensure suspend and resume works as expected.
7. Ensure all game saves persist after a reboot of the console.
8. Ensure roaming saves between XBOX One (any part of the family) to XBOX Series X|S (any part of the family) and back again functions.

Expected Result XBOX One games not supporting Smart Delivery must run without functional or performance issues on XBOX Series X|S. Pass Examples

1. The title has no performance issues when running on XBOX Series X|S.
2. The title has no functional issues when running on XBOX Series X|S.
3. The title can correctly enter, play, and finish all multiplayer modes when running between XBOX Series consoles, including when playing multiplayer between XBOX One and XBOX Series.
4. The title correctly supports suspend and resume when running on XBOX Series X|S consoles.
5. The user’s game saves made on XBOX Series X|S consoles persist after a full title reboot.
6. The user’s game save(s) created on XBOX One can be roamed to XBOX Series X|S and all progress is still present. Roaming the same game save(s) back to XBOX One also retains all progress.

Fail Examples

1. The title has performance issues when running on XBOX Series X|S.
2. The title has functional issues when running on XBOX Series X|S.
3. The user cannot enter, play, or finish multiplayer in all modes when running between XBOX Series consoles, or when playing multiplayer between XBOX One and XBOX Series.
4. The title does not correctly suspend and resume when running on XBOX Series X|S consoles.
5. The user’s game save(s), or part of the game save, made on XBOX Series X|S consoles do not persist after a full title reboot.
6. The user’s game save(s) created on XBOX One cannot be roamed to XBOX Series X|S without progress being lost. Roaming the same game save(s) back to XBOX One also loses some/all progress.