Change History for Xbox Requirements and Test Cases
Introduction
Xbox Requirements and test cases change as platforms and player expectations evolve, generally on a monthly cadence. This page documents the full history of changes over time since migration to a web presentation. This history includes changes for all platforms: console, PC, mobile and the Creators Program.
Change History
| Date | Document version | Change description |
|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2024 | 13.1 | XR-001 Title Stability: Updated the requirement to Microsoft Store policy 10.1.2. This aligns with the Microsoft Store policy for title stability. Update to XR-046 Display Name and Gamerpic. The four test strings used to verify gamertags display correctly have been updated. The new strings are:
Test case 048-01 Profile Settings Usage: Added test step 6 to verify updated gamertags on a second device. Updated "Xbox Live" to "Xbox network". |
| August 1, 2024 | 13.0 | Minor update to XR-013: Linking Microsoft Accounts with Publisher Accounts * Disclosure Text – As more linked accounts are being added, there is variability in the experience for parentally-controlled accounts. Some experiences are completely blocked, and some are only partial blocked (no multiplayer, community features). The addition of disclosure text is to help publishers communicate the potential limitations of the title before a purchase is made. Reducing both customer confusion and refund processes. Suggestion added to include disclosure text on the title’s store details page for buyer awareness. * Child Account Age – There is more complexity in how regions are defining child age ranges. Denoting the changes into XR13 as regulations change will lead to outdated documentation. This update accounts for a refined definition of child/teen accounts, notes the U.S. age standard, and, finally, highlights that age variation exists per region and the XUserGetAgeGroup function accounts for those variations. Major update to XR-014: Player Data and Personal Information and test case 014-01 Personal Information. New test case added 014-02 Data Collection. The update focuses on how titles handle and display user data: * Titles cannot display personal data of one user to anyone else * Titles must comply with globabl and regional Privacy regulations. The following were removed: * References preventing the title from asking users for additional information. * References about data encryption in transit and at rest. New test case added 014-02 Data Collection that verifies titles do not request data from Child or Teen accounts beyond what is needed for age verification or parental consent. |
| July 1, 2024 | 12.2 | Minor update to XR-083 to add clarity regarding approved libraries and what is allowed for demos. |
| April 1, 2024 | 12.1 | Updated top failing test cases for console and PC. Changed the title of Xbox Network Policies for PC, Mobile, and Creators Program to Xbox Requirements and Store Policies for PC, Mobile, and Creators Program. Removed test cases 052-01 and 052-02 from the PC Xbox Requirement test cases as they do not apply to PC. Suspend/resume does not apply to PC and launching from a terminated state (after a user signs out) is covered by 052-05 Correct User Association. Test cases for XR-015: Updated to clarify invites refers to multiplayer game invites. It does not include friend invites. XR-130: Updated XR refernce to XR-052 for save roaming (it was XR-050 which has been removed). XR-018: Updated broken link to the forbidden terms list. XR-133 removed from PC Beta and Game Preview requirements. XR-133 only applies to console. XR-022 on console: Updated to include images from competing platforms. All test cases: numerous formatting updates and grammer fixes. Updated GDK documentation links to Microsoft Learn. |
| December 1, 2023 | 12.0 | Consolidated XRs 050 and 052 into XR-052: XR-052: User State and Title-Save Location, Roaming and Dependencies * Removed XR-050 * XR-052 added to Xbox PC Requirements (correct user association and cloud-save roaming between PCs). * XR-052 test cases added to Xbox PC Requirements and Test Cases. XR-037: Dependencies on Content Packages: Added deep-dive page with implementation guidance and best practices. Betas and Game Previews: Removed Kinect XRs. Console BVTs: Removed the following BVTs as they are no longer applicable: * 04 Bundled Peripherals * 06 Content Update * 11 Submission Documentation * 16 Multi-Disc |
| May 1, 2023 | 11.1 | XR-055 & test case 055-01: Updated to clarify that achievement unlock conditions must be associated with a thorough exploration of or engagement with game content. Test Case 046-01: The Ion test gamertag is no longer available to test gamertag changes. The gamertag mdrngtck has replaced Ion in the test case. Test case 013-01: Added step to complete publisher account creation/linking with an Xbox child account (under 13 years of age) that falls within the games' age rating. Updated Pass/Fail examples. Kinect XRs officially retired: XR-016, XR-025, XR-126 and XR-033. |
| March 1, 2023 | 11.0 | XR-045: Updated to include the requirements and validation of Xbox Family member's account privileges. Test case 045-02 added to validate Xbox Family member's privilege settings. |
| December 1, 2022 | 10.1 | Test case 046-01 updated to use XblTestAccountGui.exe from the GDK to change gamertags. |
| November 1, 2022 | 10.0 | XR-013 - Clarified that XSTS tokens must be used to provide the identity information for authentication when linking the user's publisher account to the user's Microsoft account. XR-013: Clarified the Terms of Service only needs to be displayed during the account linking process. |
| September 1, 2022 | 9.9 | Updated XR-013 - Updated to allow additional fraud prevention mechanisms such as dual auth interrupts when account linking for the first time. |
| June 1, 2022 | 9.8 | Updated XR-013 - clarified requirements for requiring a Publisher Account to play. |
| March 1, 2022 | 9.7 | Clarified XR-045 to not include offline play. |
| January 1, 2022 | 9.6 | Simplified XR-070: Friends Lists to provide clarity into blended friends lists and remove the requirement to offer friend addition. Updated XR-046: Display Name and Gamerpic to provide clarity that developers can choose between modern or classic gamertag in both ERA and the Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK). |
| October 1, 2021 | 9.5 | Updated change history to only show 'Changes in this release' and added a new page for full change history. Updated XR-134: Data Transfer Using Web Protocols to provide additional clarity into requirements per development architecture. |
| August 1, 2021 | 9.3 | Migration to GDK Documentation from XGD. Updated cross linking throughout. Updated Xbox Live branding throughout to reference Xbox network. Retired XR-012: Secure Data Transfer, network transfer best practices are available at Communication Security Overview Added XR-134: Data Transfer Using Web Protocols |
| June 1, 2021 | 9.2 | Updated XR-045: Xbox Live and Account Privileges with an updated definition of Shared Game Sessions Updated multiple XRs with documentation links and details. |
| May 1, 2021 | 9.1 | Updated XR-112: Establishing a User and Controller During Initial Activation and Resume and XR-115: Addition and Removal of Users or Controllers During Gameplay to support the introduction of the simplified and advanced user models with the GDK. Updated section descriptions which referenced retired features or items which were no longer requirements. Updated XR-050: Title-Save Location, Roaming, and Dependencies to clarify requirements for game save roaming between console and PC devices. |
| April 1, 2021 | 9.0 | Updated XR-007: Cross-Network Play, Data Usage, and Companion App Interactions to remove duplicative UGC requirements from XR XR-018: User-Generated Content. |
| March 15, 2021 | 8.9 | Updated XR-045: Xbox Live and Account Privileges with details on configuring free to play, beta, or demo titles to allow multiplayer gameplay for players who are not Xbox Live Gold subscribers. |
| March 1, 2021 | 8.8 | Updated XR-064: Joinable Game Sessions and Online Play to clarify requirements for Game Bar integration on PC devices. Retired XR-072: Supporting Voice. Game voice integration is now a recommended best practice for titles supporting multiplayer gameplay. |
| February 1, 2021 | 8.7 | Updated XR-018: User-Generated Content to add clarity on the definition of UGC, implementation guidance, and updated requirements to align with the Microsoft Store Policy Updated XR-083: XDK / GDK Versions with details Updated various XRs with updated API and/or documentation links to the GDK. |
| January 5, 2021 | 8.6.1 | Updated XR-055: Achievements and Gamerscore to provide clarity that the achievement addition budget does not include base achievements. |
| January 1, 2021 | 8.6 | Version 8.5 skipped on this document to align version numbers with the related test document. Updated XR-003: Title Quality for Submission to provide specific details on Xbox Quality Standards to support test cases and player experience. Updated XR-007: Cross-Network Play, Data Usage, and Companion App Interactions and XR-018 User-Generated Content to remove requirement that cross network user names from known platforms be string verified and provide helper content that these scenarios should not be string vetted. Updated XR-045: Xbox Live and Account Privileges supporting content to provide more clarity on which platforms particular SDK/XDK/GDK combinations apply. |
| September 18, 2020 | 8.4 | Updated naming for the Xbox Series X|S family of devices across multiple requirements. |
| September 1, 2020 | 8.3 | XR-057: Unlocking Achievements renamed and updated to provide clarity that achievements cannot be unlocked using in game cheats or debug options. XR-130: Xbox Console Families and Generations updated to include specifics for Xbox One generation games working on Xbox Series X|S. XR-014: Personal Information updated to specifically clarify player data collection policies, restricting publisher ability to collect personal information on console. Added more clarity that collection of email/password is allowed for account linking scenarios. Shifted Account Linking best practices to XR 014: Account Linking XR-022: Official Naming Standards updated with Xbox Series X|S terminology. XR-123: Installation/Unlock of Game Add-Ons or Consumables During Gameplay title updated and provided clarity to also include durable and consumables. |
| August 1, 2020 | 8.2 | Updated XR-034: Streaming Install Initial Play Marker to allow developers to choose if they do or do not include an initial play marker; if used removed the size requirement but now require that the play marker provides for a game play experience. |
| July 1, 2020 | 8.1 | Updated implementation guidance for XR-064: Joinable Game Sessions and Online Play to include the Multiplayer Activity feature. Updated XR-067: Maintaining Multiplayer Session State to support the Multiplayer Activity Recent Player feature Updated XR-050: Title-Save Location, Roaming, and Dependencies to clarify requirements for Windows platforms and provide GDK API usage guidance. Updated XR-045: Xbox Live and Account Privileges to include checking privileges using the GDK |
| June 8, 2020 | 8.0 | Major version update due to support for the Xbox Series X|S console generation. Clarified usage of the term 'Xbox Consoles' to include the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S generations. Added XR-133: Local Storage Write Limitations detailing limitations on writing to local storage on Xbox consoles. Updated XR-130: Xbox One Family of Devices to XR-130: Xbox Console Families and Generations to detail requirements to support all devices/features in a console generation and requirements across generations. Updated both XR-050: Title-Save Location, Roaming, and Dependencies to detail requirements to roam game save progress across Xbox console generations Updated XR-007: Cross-Network Play, Data Usage, and Companion App Interactions to provide clarity into durable roaming scenarios for cross network play. Updated XR-012 Secure Data Transfer for the GDK and more specific implementation requirements. |
| May 1, 2020 | 7.5 | Updated both XR-064: Joinable Game Sessions and Online Play and XR-067: Maintaining Multiplayer Session State to require integration on non console devices when cross play is enabled with Xbox Consoles Updated XR-012 Secure Data Transfer for more specific implementation requirements. |
| April 1, 2020 | 7.4 | Moved change list to within the XR page. Updated folder organization/links for process improvement. Where needed, updated Xbox One to read as Xbox consoles to provide clarity to family of devices. Updated XR-083: XDK / GDK Versions to support the Microsoft Game Development Kit |
| March 1, 2020 | 7.3 | No changes to main requirements page. Update all deep dive pages with a version number (starting at 1.0) and last updated date. Only changes have been made to XR-017: Title Ratings content XR-017: Title Ratings updated to include new ratings boards in Chile, updated trailer requirements and general simplification of content tables. |
| January 3, 2020 | 7.3 | Updated XR-064: Joinable Game Sessions and Online Play and XR-067: Maintaining Multiplayer Session State to remove Xbox Live Arena/tournament requirements. Updated XR-012 Secure Data Transfer deep dive page for more specific implementation requirements. Replaced incorrectly deleted localization requirements table in XR-006: Title Assets and Metadata XR-046: Display Name and Gamerpic updated to add additional clarity to modern Gamertag usage. |
| October 24, 2019 | 7.0.1 | Updated XR-007 to remove incorrect reference to XR-073 |
| October 1, 2019 | 7.0 | Consolidated XR-113: Active User Management and XR-116: Handling Users and Controllers When Resuming From Suspended and Constrained Modes into updated XR-112 Establishing a User and Controller During Initial Activation and Resume and XR-115: Addition and Removal of Users or Controllers During Gameplay which have been updated for the GDK. Updated XR-046: Display Name and Gamerpic adding Modern Gamertag and GDK details Removed XR-073: Blocking and Muting Support, consolidated into renamed XR-015: Managing Player Communication. Removed video communication from XR-015 |
| July 9, 2019 | 6.9.1 | Corrected header error, Updated XR-055: Corrected typographical error. |
| July 2, 2019 | 6.9 | Updates to XR-007: Cross-Network Play, Data Usage, and Companion App Interactions to restrict requiring Cross Network play in all game modes. Updated XR-055: Achievements and Gamerscore tp change the window by which achievement updates are regulated to semi annual from quarterly; there was no overall change to the Gamerscore or Achievement volume per calendar year. |
| March 19, 2019 | 6.8 | Updates to XR-046: Display Name and Gamerpic, XR-074: Loss of Connectivity to Xbox and Partner Services, XR-013: Linking Microsoft Accounts with Publisher Accounts, XR-045: Xbox Live and Account Privileges and XR-062 Achievement Names and Descriptions to account for changes in the policies for implementing Xbox Live on Mobile or PC. |
| March 13, 2019 | 6.7.1 | Update to XR-012: XR-012: Secure Data Transfer: Removed reference to middleware providers due to potential confusion between middle providers and licensed middleware. Updated link to Game Store Policy in 2 XRs |
| February 1, 2019 | 6.7 | Update to XR-045: Xbox Live and Account Privileges: Added clarity into implementation guidance for Xbox One XDK titles compared to those using XSAPI on Xbox One. Update to XR-012: Secure Data Transfer: Added clarity on client/server, peer to peer implementations. Update to XR-072: Supporting Voice: Remove requirement to use the SILK codec for voice transmission. |
| January 1, 2019 | 6.6 | Removal of PDF direct download, introduction of Save As PDF/Print. Update to XR-034: Streaming Install Play Marker to allow game demos to not include a play marker. |
| December 3, 2018 | 6.5 | Updates to XR-045: Xbox Live and Account Privileges and XR-025: Sending and Sharing Kinect Data to move Kinect related privileges to the Kinect requirement. Removed comment regarding system stats from the Achievements section introduction. Added dedicated XR-007: Cross-Network Play, Data Usage, and Companion App Interactions page. |
| November 6, 2018 | 6.4.1 | Update to XR-007: Cross-Network Play, Data Usage, and Companion App Interactions to remove cross play game play toggle as intended. |
| November 1, 2018 | 6.4 | Update to XR-007: Cross-Network Play, Data Usage, and Companion App Interactions to allow for cross network/platform game progression and in game item inventories. Added requirements for Microsoft Store offer parity among networks. Removed requirement for an in game cross network play toggle. Update to XR-015: Privacy and Permissions More Information to add details for validating cross network communication permissions. Update to XR-045: Xbox Live and Account Privileges to add new Cross Network privilege Update to XR-073: Blocking and Muting Support to add requirement for Cross Network communication muting Update to XR-124: Game Invitations to clarify that Xbox Live game invites must be used for Xbox Live to Xbox Live player invites across all sessions, including those with cross network players. Multiple Achievements Related XRs: Removed references to challenges. |
| October 1, 2018 | 6.3 | Update to XR-62: Achievement Names and Descriptions to provide clarity regarding profanity usage in content. Update to XR-064: Joinable Game Sessions and Online Play's More Information content to add clarity around what is considering joinable. XR-012: Secure Data Transfer updated to provide additional clarity on OpenSSL and BCrypt. |
| September 1, 2018 | 6.2 | Update to XR 12: Secure Data Transfer and supporting content to provide additional supported security protocols Added XR-132: Service Access Limitations to provide clarity into the Xbox Live service calling limitations. |
| August 2, 2018 | 6.1 | Updated XR 73 Blocking and Muting Support to add clarity on the types of communication which must be blocked when using custom in game services. |
| July 2, 2018 | 6.0 | Addition of clarification note to XR-55 for definition of quarterly Updated XR-007: Cross-Network Play, Data Usage, and Companion App Interactions to match prior XR update Removed XR-049: Rich Presence, now a best practice. Removed XR-063: Instrumentation of System Stats, now a best practice. |
| June 4, 2018 | 5.9 (Xbox Program Documents > Certification) | Migration of XRs to new HTML format. Removed NETWORK Section Consolidated all network requirements into single requirement (XR-074: Loss of Connectivity to Xbox Services) Removed USER INTERFACE section, moved XR-022: Official Naming Standards to BASE REQUIREMENTS. Added XR-055: Achievements, Challenges, and Gamerscore as a tested XR for scenarios when an Achievement doesn't unlock during the normal course of testing. Removed the following requirements as they are covered in the Xbox Game Store policy document in the Publisher Guide: - XR-038: Digital Content Availability - XR-040: Content Licensing, Rights Management, and Title Activation - XR-041: Microsoft Store Token Usage - XR-042: No Real-Money Cash-Out - XR-084: Content Not Allowed in Advertising - XR-118: Pricing for a Beta or Demo - XR-119: Paid DLC in a Beta or Demo - XR-120: Beta Public Release Notification - XR-121: Product Types for Beta - XR-122: Beta Population Size |