> ## 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 an XBOX GDK game in Partner Center

> Step-by-step tutorial for XBOX creators and Microsoft Store developers to create, configure, package, and publish a GDK game in Partner Center.

This tutorial explains how XBOX creators and Microsoft Store developers can use Partner Center to create, configure, and publish a game. This tutorial should only be used if you're developing your game by using the Game Development Kit (GDK). If you're not developing your game by using the GDK, follow the instructions for Windows apps at [Publish apps & games to Microsoft Store on Windows](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/apps/publish/).

Partner Center offers a wide range of functionality, which can be daunting if you're new to using it for game publishing. This guide explains the *golden path*—the simplest route most games can follow—to release with a common configuration. If this simple configuration isn't right for your game, other configurations are possible. Use the **Partner Center features** and **Partner Center how-to guides** topics in this site for detailed information about each of the options available.

<Warning>
  Some Partner Center features, such as XBOX services, are only available to XBOX creators. At the top of each page in this tutorial, you can select **XBOX** or **Microsoft Store on Windows**. Use this selection to get the step-by-step instructions that apply to where you're releasing your game. If you're interested in becoming an XBOX creator, see [XBOX Creator Onboarding](/home/onboarding).
</Warning>

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="XBOX">
    ## Before you begin

    * Register as an XBOX creator. If you're not registered yet, see [XBOX Creator Onboarding](/home/onboarding).
    * Access your Partner Center account. If you don't have an account yet, speak to your XBOX contacts.
    * [Submit your game concept](/publishing/game-publishing/publishing-processes/managed-creators/publishing-processes-game-concepts) for approval.

    Some Partner Center features, such as achievements, Gamerscore, and publishing with XBOX services, require an approved game concept. Without an approved concept, you can create your game in Partner Center and configure limited XBOX services for development and testing. However, you can't submit your game for certification or publish it to the Microsoft Store. You can apply for concept approval at any point during development, including after you set up your game and enable limited XBOX services. Currently, if you want to release a game without an approved game concept, you can only publish to the Microsoft Store on Windows, without XBOX services.

    ## Publishing process

    The golden path to create, configure, and publish an XBOX game is as follows.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Create a game">
        [Create a game](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-create-a-title-and-configure-game-setup) in Partner Center and configure the **Game setup** page.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Create and upload a Package">
        Create and upload a [Package](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-create-a-package).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure Properties">
        Configure [Properties](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-configure-properties).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure Age ratings">
        Configure [Age ratings](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-set-age-ratings).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure Store listings">
        Configure [Store listings](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-create-a-store-listing).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure Pricing and availability">
        Configure [Pricing and availability](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-configure-pricing-and-availability).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure Gaming metadata">
        Configure [Gaming metadata](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-add-metadata).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure XBOX services">
        Configure [XBOX services](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-configure-xbox-services).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Certify your product">
        [Certify](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-certify-a-game) your product.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Review and publish">
        [Review and publish](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-publish-a-base-game) your product to the Microsoft Store.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Microsoft Store on Windows">
    ## Before you begin

    * Enroll as a Microsoft Store developer. To learn more, see [Microsoft Store Developer Platform](https://storedeveloper.microsoft.com/home).
    * Access your Partner Center account.

    ## Publishing process

    The process to create, configure, and publish a game that's packaged by using the GDK a game is as follows.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Create a game">
        [Create a game](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-create-a-title-and-configure-game-setup) in Partner Center and configure the **Game setup** page.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Create and upload a Package">
        Create and upload a [Package](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-create-a-package).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure Properties">
        Configure [Properties](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-configure-properties).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure Age ratings">
        Configure [Age ratings](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-set-age-ratings).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure Store listings">
        Configure [Store listings](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-create-a-store-listing).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure Pricing and availability">
        Configure [Pricing and availability](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-configure-pricing-and-availability).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure Gaming metadata">
        Configure [Gaming metadata](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-add-metadata).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Certify your product">
        [Certify](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-certify-a-game) your product.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Review and publish">
        [Review and publish](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-publish-a-base-game) your product to the Microsoft Store.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={1}>
  <Card title="Create a game and configure game setup" href="/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-create-a-title-and-configure-game-setup" />
</CardGroup>


## Related topics

- [Create a game package and upload it in Partner Center](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-create-a-package.md)
- [Create and publish add-ons for a game](/publishing/game-publishing/tutorial-xbox-managed/how-to-create-use-publish-add-ons.md)
- [XBOX game publishing overview](/publishing/game-publishing/publishing-processes/managed-creators/overview.md)
- [Set up XBOX products in Partner Center](/publishing/game-publishing/publishing-processes/managed-creators/publishing-processes-product-onboarding-and-configuration.md)
- [XBOX Partner Onboarding for access and publishing](/home/onboarding.md)