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Before you publish your game on XBOX consoles and XBOX on PC, review your Partner Center configuration carefully. This checklist helps you validate your settings, metadata, and release schedule so you can publish with confidence.

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Before you begin

This checklist assumes that:
  • You’re signed in to Partner Center.
  • You’re viewing the game you want to review.
  • You have permission to edit all modules, including Store listings, Pricing and availability, Properties, Gaming metadata, and Packages.
This checklist focuses on Game products. You should also validate any Bundles or Add-ons that release alongside your game.
Make sure your configuration accurately represents the product available to customers. For more information, review the XBOX Games Store Policy in the XBOX Publisher Guide and Microsoft Store Policies - 10.1 Distinct Function & Value; Accurate Representation.

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Step 1: Game setup

Complete these checks in the Game setup module.
  1. Confirm that Retail is selected for each supported platform:
    • Select Desktop for XBOX on PC.
    • Select XBOX for console releases.

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Step 2: Packages

Complete these checks in the Packages module.
1

Confirm that certified packages exist for each supported platform.

Confirm that certified packages exist for each supported platform. A banner is displayed on the branch and shows the certification result.
  • XBOX console: approved .xvc package for XBOX One, XBOX Series X|S, or both.
  • XBOX on PC: approved .msixvc package.
  • If packages failed certification:
  • Review the certification report.
  • Fix all BVT Failure and CFR issues.
  • Build, test, and submit a new package.
2

Import certified packages to the **Main** branch if they're in another branch.

Import certified packages to the Main branch if they’re in another branch. Skip this step if the packages are already in the Main branch.
  • Select the Main branch, then Import, and choose the source branch.
  • Only the Main branch publishes to the RETAIL sandbox.
3

Confirm that **Contains placeholder packages to enable pre-order** isn't sele...

Confirm that Contains placeholder packages to enable pre-order isn’t selected unless required.
4

If applicable, confirm that **Availability** and **Predownload** dates are co...

If applicable, confirm that Availability and Predownload dates are correct.

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Step 3: Properties

Complete these checks in the Properties module.

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Basic Info

  1. Confirm that all Basic info settings are complete and accurate:
    • Includes Player modes, Accessibility testing, and Online gameplay requirements.
    • Only select options your game supports.
For more information, see Properties - Basic info.

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Technical Capabilities

  1. Confirm that all Technical capabilities are accurate:
    • Includes 4K, Optimized for XBOX Series X|S, XBOX Play Anywhere, and Removable storage.
    • Only select options your game supports.
  2. If you release on PC, confirm PC-specific settings:
    • Includes Input Devices and Minimum and recommended specifications.
    • Don’t configure these settings for console-only titles.
For more information, see Properties - Technical capabilities.

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XBOX services

  1. Confirm that XBOX services settings match your game’s features:
    • Achievements are required for full games on XBOX consoles and PC. For more information, see XR-055.
    • Achievements aren’t required for Game Preview, betas, or demos.
For more information, see Properties overview.

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Step 4: Age ratings

Complete these checks in the Age ratings module.
1

Confirm that the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) questionnaire is c...

Confirm that the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) questionnaire is complete and accurate.
  • Retake the questionnaire if your answers change.
2

If you upload rating certificates:

If you upload rating certificates:
  • Confirm the rating value and descriptors match your configuration.
  • Confirm the rating is valid for all platforms.
3

Review any warnings on the page.

Review any warnings on the page. You might need to retake the questionnaire or remove release markets.
4

Confirm that ratings exist for all markets configured in **Pricing and availa...

Confirm that ratings exist for all markets configured in Pricing and availability.
For more information, see:

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Step 5: Store listings

Complete these checks in the Store listings module.
1

Confirm that all required languages show as **Complete**.

Confirm that all required languages show as Complete.
  • Follow the XBOX Games Store policy available in the XBOX Publisher Guide, and your Microsoft agreements.
2

Confirm that the listings are certified.

Confirm that the listings are certified. A banner is displayed on the branch and shows the certification result.
3

Import certified listings to the **Main** branch if they're in another branch.

Import certified listings to the Main branch if they’re in another branch. Skip this step if the listings are already in the Main branch.
  • Select Export from the source branch to generate an .xlsx file.
  • Select Import to upload the .xlsx file.

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Step 6: Pricing and availability

Complete these checks in the Pricing and availability module.

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Markets and availability

1

Select **Show markets** and confirm all intended markets are included.

Select Show markets and confirm all intended markets are included.
2

If needed, configure Private audience.

If needed, configure Private audience. If enabled, only specified users can access the product details page (PDP) in the Microsoft Store.
3

Confirm the correct **Discoverability** option is selected.

Confirm the correct Discoverability option is selected.
  • If available and discoverable in the Microsoft Store is selected, confirm the Schedule:
  • Release is the date the game is available to play.
  • Pre-order is the date the game can be pre-ordered.
  • Discoverable in the Microsoft Store is the date the game can be found by searching or viewing collections.
  • Stop acquisition is the date the game can’t be purchased.
  • No longer discoverable is the date the game can’t be found by searching or viewing collections.
4

Confirm that **Display release date** isn't enabled unless recommended by Mic...

Confirm that Display release date isn’t enabled unless recommended by Microsoft.
For more information, see How-to: Visible and purchasable products.

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Pricing and trials

1

Confirm the **Base price**.

Confirm the Base price.
2

If you don't customize pricing for specific markets, select **Review price pe...

If you don’t customize pricing for specific markets, select Review price per market and validate automatic price conversions.
3

If you customize pricing for specific markets, confirm all market-specific pr...

If you customize pricing for specific markets, confirm all market-specific prices.
4

If you offer a **Free trial**, confirm:

If you offer a Free trial, confirm:
  • The trial type.
  • The trial duration (if applicable).
  • The Start and End dates.
For more information, see Game trials.

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Step 7: Gaming metadata

Complete these checks in the Gaming metadata module.
1

Confirm that **Accessibility** features are accurate.

Confirm that Accessibility features are accurate.
2

Confirm **Supported languages**.

Confirm Supported languages.
3

Confirm **Game Pass** isn't configured, unless requested by your XBOX contacts.

Confirm Game Pass isn’t configured, unless requested by your XBOX contacts. This setting isn’t required for all Game Pass products.
4

Confirm **External content** settings.

Confirm External content settings.

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Step 8: XBOX services

Complete these checks in the XBOX services modules.

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Gameplay settings

  1. Identify the source sandbox with final gameplay settings.
    • Use this sandbox when publishing to the RETAIL sandbox.

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XBOX settings

1

If applicable, confirm **Localized title names**.

If applicable, confirm Localized title names.
  • Don’t use placeholders or names of other products.
2

Confirm **Yes I will be publishing achievements** is selected unless directed...

Confirm Yes I will be publishing achievements is selected unless directed otherwise by Microsoft.
3

Confirm **Device families** match your release platforms.

Confirm Device families match your release platforms.
4

If applicable, confirm the **XBOX embargo** date.

If applicable, confirm the XBOX embargo date.
XBOX games are configured to use the Reseller pricing model and require a revenue SKU. If publishing fails due to a missing revenue SKU, send your Store ID to your XBOX contacts to request one. Products without a revenue SKU can’t publish to the RETAIL sandbox but can still publish to development sandboxes or be submitted for Certification.

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Next steps

Publishing to RETAIL

Last modified on August 20, 2026

Related topics

XBOX game publishing overviewBest practices and launch checklistPublishing and testing in the RETAIL sandboxXR-003 Title Quality for SubmissionXBOX Requirement test cases for PC and mobile games