Glossary

This list contains common terms, acronyms, and initialisms across the Microsoft gaming ecosystem that you might come across in this game publishing guide.

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A

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AR or Authorized Replicator

Disc replicators that are authorized to replicate XBOX discs.

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ATG or Advanced Technology Group

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AV/SV or Antivirus/Submission Validator

Checks that are completed on your product during the Certification process.

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B

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Base game

An original base version of a game submitted to the Microsoft Store. Updates to the base game are known as Content Updates (CUs).

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BTS or Break the Seal

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BVT or Build Verification Test

Checks that are completed on your product during the Certification process to verify that the product is in a sufficiently testable state. For more information, see the Certification PC BVT Guide and Certification Console BVT Guide.

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C

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CFR or Condition for Resubmission

This is an XBOX Requirement (XR) issue that must be fixed in the product’s next submission to Certification. A product fails Certification if any CFRs are identified.

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CSF or Concept Submission Form (also GSF or Game Submission Form)

A form submitted to Microsoft by Managed Creators, to seek concept approval for an upcoming game product. For more information, see Submitting Game Concepts.

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CSV or Currency Stored Value

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CU or Content Update

Packages that are published to the Microsoft Store after the base game has been published. Sometimes referred to as patches, hotfixes, or updates.

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D

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DPM or Developer Partner Manager

Someone who works at Microsoft and works directly with specific game studio developer partners. For more information, see Who are my Microsoft contacts?.

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DFU or Digital Finished Unit

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DLC or Downloadable Content

Add-on products that are made available for a customer to purchase and use with a Game product.

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E

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EDS or Entertainment Developer Store

A Microsoft portal used by Managed Creators for ordering and managing XBOX development kits.

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EFIGS or English, French, Italian, German, Spanish

Abbreviation for English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish languages.

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EKB or Escrowed Key Blob

Escrowed Key Blob (EKB) is used for decrypting a game package that has been created and encrypted using the XBOX Development Kit (XDK) or Game Development Kit (GDK).

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F

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FPU or Finished Product Unit

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G

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GA or General Audience

The audience of customers that can access a product, or a specific version of a game package, when it hasn’t been restricted to a limited audience, such as a Known XBOX Device Group used for Package Flighting.

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GDK or Game Development Kit

The XBOX Game Development Kit (GDK) is a complete set of tools, APIs, extensions, and programming models that can be used across current and future XBOX platforms and initiatives.

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GPPM or Game Pass Production Management

A group within Microsoft that supports Managed Creators during preparation for, and execution of, a product’s entry to Game Pass.

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I

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IB or Install Base

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IDAM or ID@XBOX Account Management

A group within Microsoft that support ID@XBOX Creators. For more information, see Who are my Microsoft contacts?.

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IDCert or ID@XBOX Certification Submissions

A group within Microsoft that support ID@XBOX Creators. For more information, see Who are my Microsoft contacts?.

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IDDS or ID@XBOX Developer Support

A group within Microsoft that support ID@XBOX Creators. For more information, see Who are my Microsoft contacts?.

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IDSetup or ID@XBOX Setup Support

A group within Microsoft that support ID@XBOX Creators. For more information, see Who are my Microsoft contacts?.

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M

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MGATS or Microsoft Gaming Accessibility Testing Service

The Microsoft Game Accessibility Testing Service (MGATS) is an optional program through which game developers and publishers can submit their XBOX products for secure, confidential accessibility testing conducted by accessibility subject matter experts and players with disabilities. For more information, see Microsoft Accessibility Testing Service.

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Modular publishing or modular submission

Modular publishing gives you the flexibility to configure, certify and publish different modules, such as Packages or Store listings, independently. Modular publishing is supported when you have selected Game or Game bundle as the product during the set up process (Apps and games | Overview page, select + New product). If you’ve selected MSIX or PWA app or App bundle as the product, modular publishing isn’t supported. Note that the initial publish will always be a full publish across all modules, regardless if the product supports modular publishing or not. To learn more, watch this video about modular publishing.

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MPC or Microsoft Partner Center (also Partner Center)

Partner Center streamlines several business processes to make it easier for Microsoft partners to manage their relationship with Microsoft and their customers. It’s a web-based, unified console that gives you access to a wide range of partner-centric activities including publishing a game product to the Microsoft Store, all through a graphical user interface.

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P

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Partner Center

See Microsoft Partner Center.

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PDLC or Paid Downloadable Content

Paid-for add-on products that are made available for a customer to purchase and use with a Game product.

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PDP or Product Details Page

The Product Details Page (PDP) displays product-specific information and marketing assets, including trailers and screenshots, in the Microsoft Store. If configured, a customer can wishlist, purchase and review a product from the PDP.

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PPM or Production Partner Manager

Someone who works at Microsoft and works directly with game developers and publishers to support the release planning, Certification, publishing and maintenance of games and associated products. For more information, see Who are my Microsoft contacts?.

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PSM or Post-sale monetization

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R

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RFC or Released from Certification

The completion of the XBOX Certification process for an individual submission, resulting in a Pass or Fail result.

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RTM or Release to Manufacture

The process of approving a game disc for release to Authorized Replicators to begin XBOX disc replication and manufacturing.

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S

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SLA or Service Level Agreement

The expected duration for specific services provided by Microsoft to be completed, such as XBOX Certification.

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SPM or Strategic Partner Manager

Someone who works at Microsoft and works directly with game publishers. For more information, see Who are my Microsoft contacts?.

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SRI or Standard Reporting Issue

This is an XBOX Requirement (XR) issue that has been reported by XBOX Certification during the Certification process. Creators should review and address all reported issues. A product won’t fail Certification for SRIs.

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SubVal or Submission Validator

The Submission Validator (SubVal) log is an XML file that is output by the Submission Validator program. The SubVal program performs error checks on your game. It runs every time you run the Make Package (makepkg) tool. You must upload the SubVal log when submitting your game for XBOX Certification. For more information, see Submission Validator introduction.

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T

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TAK or Touch Adaptation Kit

The Touch Adaptation Kit (TAK) enables Creators to create and deploy touch-adapted control layouts to devices. For more information, see Getting started with touch.

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TDM or Test Disc Manufacturer

XBOX disc replicators that are used by Microsoft to manufacture XBOX test discs during the XBOX Certification process.

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X

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XAG - XBOX Accessibility Guidelines

The XBOX Accessibility Guidelines (XAGs) are a set of best practices that have been developed in partnership with industry experts and members of the Gaming & Disability Community. For more information, see XBOX Accessibility Guidelines.

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XBOX Game Pass

A multi-plan subscription service providing subscribers with access to a library of XBOX console and PC games, with new games added each month. Details about the plans that are available to players, and the games and benefits included in each plan, can be found at https://xbox.com/xbox-game-pass.

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XIP or XBOX Insider Program

The XBOX Insider Program allows passionate XBOX fans the opportunity to give feedback on the latest XBOX system updates, and features and games still in development for both XBOX consoles and XBOX on PC. For more information, see XBOX Insider Program flighting.

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XPA or XBOX Play Anywhere

XBOX Play Anywhere is a configuration and program for products that can be played on both PC and Console and that support buy-once, play anywhere and cross-progression for game saves.

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XR or XBOX Requirements

XBOX Requirements (XRs) consist of the policies, technical requirements, and product component-related requirements to which all developers and publishers must conform for games releasing on XBOX consoles or XBOX on PC. For more information, see XBOX Requirements for XBOX Console Games and XBOX Requirements and Store Policies for PC, Mobile, and Creators Program.