> ## 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.

# Create and publish add-ons for a game

> Tutorial for creating and publishing add-ons for your XBOX game in Partner Center, including expansions, character skins, and virtual currencies.

This article describes how to create and publish game add-ons.

Add-ons are used to make new content for your game, like game expansions, character skins, or virtual currencies, available to customers. An add-on must be associated with a game that you create in Partner Center.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="XBOX">
    ## Prerequisites

    * Enrollment as an XBOX creator. To learn more, see [XBOX Creator Onboarding](/home/onboarding).
    * Active Partner Center account. If you don't have an account yet, contact your XBOX team.
    * Approved game concept for your product. To learn more, see [Submit game concepts](/publishing/game-publishing/publishing-processes/managed-creators/publishing-processes-game-concepts).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Microsoft Store on Windows">
    ## Prerequisites

    * Enrollment as a Microsoft Store developer.
    * Active Partner Center account.
    * To learn more, see [Microsoft Store Developer Platform](https://storedeveloper.microsoft.com/home).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Create an add-on associated with a game in Partner Center

Game add-ons are configured within your game in Partner Center. Navigate to your game and then use the **Add-ons** page within the title to start the process of creating add-ons.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="XBOX">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Sign in to [Partner Center](https://developer.microsoft.com/dashboard).">
        Sign in to [Partner Center](https://developer.microsoft.com/dashboard).
      </Step>

      <Step title="In the **Home** page, select **Apps and games**.">
        In the **Home** page, select **Apps and games**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="In the **Apps and games | Overview** page, select your title.">
        In the **Apps and games | Overview** page, select your title. Or, enter your game's name in the search bar and then select your game.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select **Add-ons** from the left navigation pane.">
        Select **Add-ons** from the left navigation pane.
      </Step>

      <Step title="In the **Add-ons** page, select **+ Create a new...** and select the type of ...">
        In the **Add-ons** page, select **+ Create a new\...** and select the type of add-on to create. XBOX creators can create different types of add-ons including: Consumable (Developer-managed), Consumable (Microsoft Store-managed), Durable, Durable with Packages, and Add-on Bundle. For more information, see [Add-ons](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/add-ons).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Specify a unique value as the product ID for your add-on.">
        Specify a unique value as the product ID for your add-on. For example, consumable\_001. This ID is used in code and in Partner Center to identify the add-on.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select **Create**.">
        Select **Create**.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Microsoft Store on Windows">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Sign in to [Partner Center](https://developer.microsoft.com/dashboard).">
        Sign in to [Partner Center](https://developer.microsoft.com/dashboard).
      </Step>

      <Step title="In the **Home** page, select **Apps and games**.">
        In the **Home** page, select **Apps and games**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="In the **Apps and games | Overview** page, select your title.">
        In the **Apps and games | Overview** page, select your title. Or, enter your game's name in the search bar and then select your game.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select **Add-ons** from the left navigation pane.">
        Select **Add-ons** from the left navigation pane.
      </Step>

      <Step title="In the **Add-ons** page, select **+ Create a new...** and select the type of ...">
        In the **Add-ons** page, select **+ Create a new\...** and select the type of add-on to create. You can create different types of add-ons including: Consumable (Developer-managed), Consumable (Microsoft Store-managed), and Durable. For more information, see [Add-ons](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/add-ons).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Specify a unique value as the product ID for your add-on.">
        Specify a unique value as the product ID for your add-on. For example, consumable\_001. This ID is used in code and in Partner Center to identify the add-on.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select **Create**.">
        Select **Create**.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Configure add-on properties

Add-on properties are similar to the properties of a base game.

Each add-on type has different properties that you need to configure. For example, **Durables** have a different list of properties from **Consumables**. For more information, see [Partner Center sections to configure for add-ons](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/add-ons#partner-center-sections-to-configure-for-add-ons).

## Use the add-on in your game

Add-ons are identified using values in the **Identity details** section of the add-on setup page. Use the product ID to associate the item in your game. For more information, see [Commerce - Getting Started](/publishing/xstore-commerce/xstore-commerce-overview) in the Game Development Kit.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="XBOX">
    ## Submit add-ons for certification

    When all the required information needed is completed, you can move forward and submit the add-on for certification. Your add-on's **Pricing** and **Store listings** configurations might need to be approved.

    Use the **Certify** option on the add-on's **Overview** page to begin the certification process. For more information, see [Certify](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/certification/certification-overview).

    > \[!Note] You can't submit an add-on for certification until the base game has been submitted for certification.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Publish add-ons

Add-ons can only be published to the RETAIL sandbox after passing certification. However, since add-ons must be associated with a base game, the base game must pass certification and be published to the RETAIL sandbox before the add-on can be published.

You can submit both the base game and add-on for certification at the same time. In the event where the add-on passes certification but not the base game, you can't publish the add-on until the base game passes certification.

Similar to a base game, configurations made in the **Pricing and availability** section of the add-on determine when the add-on is visible and available to customers in the RETAIL sandbox.

## See also

* [Add-ons](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/add-ons)
* [Configure a Durable add-on for a game](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-configure-a-durable)


## Related topics

- [Add-ons](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/add-ons.md)
- [Set up XBOX products in Partner Center](/publishing/game-publishing/publishing-processes/managed-creators/publishing-processes-product-onboarding-and-configuration.md)
- [Configure add-ons for in-game store-only availability](/publishing/game-publishing/how-to/how-to-does-not-have-store-listing.md)
- [XR-123 Install and unlock add-ons during gameplay](/publishing/certification/xr/xr-123.md)
- [FMA XR-123: Install and unlock add-ons during gameplay](/publishing/certification/fma/xr-123.md)