Pre-order process
Pre-orders should be approved by Microsoft. To learn more, see Configuring pre-order products.Products this scenario applies to
- Game
- Game Demo
- Game bundle
- Add-on Bundle
- Durable
- Durable with packages
Products this scenario does NOT apply to
- Season Pass
- Consumable (Microsoft Store-managed)
- Consumable (Developer-managed)
Visible pre-order
- A pre-order configuration where the product is visible/purchasable.
- The pre-order can be configured for a bundle or individual product.
- The product can be removed from sale after the pre-order period, or it can be made available for purchase indefinitely.
- You can configure multiple individual products or bundles for pre-order; for example, to have unique configurations for specific periods of time or to offer different editions of your product.
- For instructions, see How to configure a Game or Durable pre-order or How to configure a pre-order bundle.
Hidden pre-order
- Same as a visible pre-order except the pre-order product will not be visible/discoverable in the Microsoft Store.
- This version would be displayed to a customer via an in-game store or other entity in order for them to access.
- This can be used on “Loyalty edition” pre-order Bundles for franchise titles. The hidden pre-order Bundle for the new game in the franchise will be priced with a discount and only exposed in the in game store of the last game version in the franchise.
- The pre-order can be removed from sale after the pre-order period, or it can be made available for purchase indefinitely.
- NOTE: Because this product is hidden, it will still have a Product Details Page (PDP) that can be viewed with a direct link.
Early Access Bundle
- The product will be on pre-order until the early access date, which is before the title would normally release.
- At the early access date, the product will unlock, allowing users to launch/play the product.
- If the early access Bundle will not be sold after the normal title release date, the bundle will continue to be purchasable until the normal title release date. The bundle then will become hidden/not purchasable.
- Example: The ultimate version of a Bundle for Game A will give users who purchase it 3 days early access to the game, allowing those users to start playing 3 days before the “normal” title release date.
Pre-order Bundle containing a product that is already released and requires immediate access
- Game A is already released and playable by users.
- There is a new bundle launching that includes Game A, and the bundle will have a pre-order period.
- Because Game A is already released, users should be able to play it, even if the pre-order bundle hasn’t unlocked/released yet.
- This scenario is configured like any other pre-order scenario but requires a configuration in the “Free to use” section of the Game product in order to work. To learn more, see How to set up free-to-use scenarios.
Pre-order unlock bundle
Pre-order unlock bundle is a configuration that uses a Game Bundle product to bypass the granted entitlement start date that is set for the products that are included in a pre-order bundle. These products can be used immediately. This configuration can be used to enable users, including reviewers or testers, to use these products before the release date. This unlock bundle can only be acquired by redeeming a Promotional Code. For instructions, see How to configure a pre-order unlock bundle.Additional considerations for Game pre-orders
All Game products made available for pre-order in the Microsoft Store require:- A certified Package. Speak to your Microsoft contacts if you’re not ready to submit a game package for Certification, or consider setting up a Wish List page instead of a pre-order.
- Published XBOX services. The XBOX services configuration includes your Achievements, Presence and Multiplayer settings. To prevent unintended exposure of this information, configure XBOX Embargo.