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Create and upload a game package

Important

This topic describes features that are only available to Managed Creators with appropriate permissions. For details, speak to your Microsoft contacts.

This article describes how to create and upload a game package to your Game in Partner Center.

Packages for Game products must be created with the correct format.

  • Xbox console games must use the XVC format.
  • PC games must use the MSIXVC format.

To learn more about packaging your game, see Overview of packaging.

Create a game package

When you're ready to publish your game to the Microsoft Store, the game executable (.exe) and any other content that the game needs is combined into a single package. This single package must be in the MSIXVC format for PC games and the XVC format for Console games. Other package types are not supported for Game products.

Important

Xbox Play Anywhere

If you're creating an Xbox Play Anywhere game, you'll need to create an XVC package for Xbox consoles and an MSIXVC package for PC.

MakePkg

The most fundamental way to create an XVC or MSIXVC package is to use the Make package tool, which is also known as MakePkg.exe, included in the Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK). If you haven't installed the GDK, see Get started with the Microsoft Game Development Kit.

Instructions to help you install the tools and package your content.

Packaging tools embedded in game engines

Some game engines, like Unity and Unreal Engine, have integrated packaging in their export process. Different engines have different implementation. Refer to the documentation for the game engine for the latest guidance.

Upload a game package

Prerequisites

  • A game package in the MSIXVC format (PC games) or XVC format (console games), containing a game executable (.exe) and any other content that the game needs. If you don't have a package yet, see Create a game package.
    • Xbox Play Anywhere: If you're creating an Xbox Play Anywhere game, you'll need to upload both an MSIXVC package and an XVC package.
  • Enrolment in a Managed Creator program. If you're not enroled yet, see Onboarding as a new Creator
  • Active Partner Center account. If you don't have an account yet, speak to your Microsoft contacts.
  • Approved Game Concept for your product. If you don't have concept approval yet, see Game Concepts.

Package upload process

  1. Sign in to Partner Center.
  2. On the Home page, select Apps and games.
  3. On the Apps and games | Overview page, select your game. Or, enter your game's name in the search bar and then select your game.
  4. Select Packages from the left navigation pane.
  5. Check that you're on the Main branch. To learn more about branching, see Branching and sandboxes.
  6. Select browse your files to locate your package and select package to upload.
  7. After upload begins, it will pause. When prompted, upload the EKB (Escrow Key Blob) file. Upload will continue.
  8. Upload the Symbols zip folder generated during the process to create a game package.
  9. Upload the Submission Validator xml log file generated during the process to create a game package. To learn more about Submission Validator, see Submission validator introduction.
  10. Select Save draft

Next steps