Your Guide to Obtaining Developer Kits from Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo
/Game development has never been a more exciting venture, for both hobbyists and career creators. Hardware is growing more capable with every iteration, and these advancements have taken software along for the ride. You’ll collectively harness these elements to develop immersive gaming experiences.
Each company’s software development kit (SDK) powers the development process. SDKs provide you with collections of tools and frameworks in one convenient package. These resources are essential, since they’re tailored to specific hardware-software combinations. Microsoft provides their own SDK for the Xbox platform, Sony for the PlayStation, and so on. The Xbox runs a modified version of Windows 10, PlayStation runs on Orbis OS (Free BSD), and Nintendo uses a version of FreeBSD. All have their quirks.
Each company’s offerings are uniquely configured, meaning you’ll need to access the appropriate toolset for your game. Your console preferences will steer this decision. The gaming world is wide open for independent developers. We’ll walk through the development process for the industry’s household names below:
Getting an Xbox Developer Kit
Xbox development offers a largely unfragmented experience across a trio of consoles: the Xbox One S, One X, and newer Series X. Microsoft gives indie developers two main registration pathways. You may opt into the ID@Xbox Program to obtain the SDK for all devices.
Individual developers will likely enroll in the Xbox Live Creators Program. It presents fewer barriers compared to ID@Xbox, and relaxed requirements make the process friendlier.
As a bonus, you can also access the Xbox Live SDK – a supplementary kit for integrating online gameplay. Below are detailed tutorials for each method. We’ll also provide instructions for receiving testing hardware:
Obtaining Your SDK Through ID@Xbox
Navigate to Microsoft’s ID@Xbox Program (Independent Developer Program) website here
Register by clicking the green APPLY TO THE PROGRAM NOW button. This takes you to an application form, where you enter details about your studio, contact information, and legal signatories
Reach out to Microsoft to discuss your game. Prior to downloading your SDK, you must pick which platform you’ll release your title on
After approval, you move to the Build stage. Here is where you gain access to your Xbox SDK! These tools include plenty of documentation
You can publish and update your game after building for your preferred platform
Obtaining Your SDK through the Xbox Live Creators Program
Navigate to the Xbox Live Creators Program website here
Create a developer account. This incurs a single charge of $19 for individuals, and $99 for corporations
Now you may access your SDK! The Creators Program nixes the concept approval process, letting you immediately develop and integrate Xbox Live
You can publish your game after testing on Xbox One
Obtaining Your Xbox Live Developer Platform SDK
Navigate to the Xbox Live Developer Platform website here
You must be registered with one of Xbox’s developer programs before accessing the Live Developer Platform’s resources
Enter the Build stage to access the Xbox Live SDK and related kits, plus their corresponding documentation
Obtaining Testing Hardware
Approved Xbox One developers receive two hardware development kits free of charge, according to Microsoft’s notes. This is the preferred route for Managed Partners, or ID@Xbox developers. Partner developers test using the Xbox One, but may also order customized hardware for “more in-depth performance testing and console management.” Studios needing more than two units must purchase additional kits through Microsoft.
To cut through the red tape, Xbox Live Creators Program members can use retail Xbox One consoles to test their games. Developers must remember that this method is tailored to Universal Windows Platform (UWP) titles. Games made using the traditional SDK are not available for testing on retail devices. Those without an account must create a Dev Center account for $19. No other add-ons are required.
Getting a PlayStation Developer Kit
Should you develop for PlayStation, you have your choice of two consoles: the PS4 and PS4 Pro. Individual developers, small startups, and large studios can join the PlayStation Partners Program. This is the preferred method for getting your hands on a PlayStation SDK.
Furthermore, you may gain special SDK access if you’re a university student. PlayStation extends academia partnerships to eligible schools, giving budding developers essential tools. This detailed tutorial will get you started:
Obtaining Your SDK Through the PlayStation Partners Program (PPP)
Navigate to the PlayStation Partners Program website here
Click the Join PlayStation button, either immediately or by choosing between two identical buttons further down the page
Under the Game Developers and Publishers section heading, select the option that applies to you. Follow this application flow completely and submit all required information
Following approval, you’re ready to begin developing with PlayStation! This enables SDK access for both consoles
You can market and self-publish on the PlayStation Store after finalizing your game
Obtaining Your SDK Under “All Business Types”
If you’re interested in grabbing your SDK through other means, follow steps 1 and 2 shown above. However, this is where the process changes:
Instead of selecting an option under Game Developers and Publishers, choose the link corresponding to your location under the Other Business Types section
Should you choose to develop on PlayStation®Mobile, select this option and follow the instructions. This uses separate tools from the console SDK
Choosing the Academia Option:
Choose “UNIVERSITY / ACADEMIA PROGRAMS” if you’d like to secure an SDK through PlayStation’s special programs
Select your preferred platform, distribution method, and share pertinent personal information
Fill out all appropriate forms and hit Submit
Following acceptance to the Program, you may start building using PlayStation’s SDK
Obtaining Testing Hardware
By virtue of being a PlayStation partner, developers have access to customized development hardware for their titles. This route requires developers to follow the steps included in the SDK tutorials above. Creators must submit appropriate forms and sign an NDA through the PlayStation Partners Program portal to secure these dev kits. University partners may also secure hardware through Sony’s special programs – also through the same channel.
You must be an authorized developer – with official testing hardware – to test games on the PlayStation platform. PlayStation owners with retail consoles cannot test games, unlike with Xbox
Development kits aren’t approved for resale, leaving eBay and other pre-owned sales platforms out of the equation. These consoles are covered by NDA and are IP locked. This means developers should access hardware through official channels. PlayStation kits also expire by a pre-determined date, after which they’re renewed or decommissioned.
Various community sources suggest each PlayStation 4 dev kit costs around $2,500, this price increasing due to add-ons and configuration. However, Sony has started releasing PS5 dev kits ahead of its Winter 2020 release. Pricing for that iteration remains unclear.
Getting a Nintendo Developer Kit
If you want to develop for Nintendo, you’ll predominantly create games for the Nintendo Switch. The company provides a centralized location for all developers, no matter the device. Nintendo is indie and newbie friendly, requiring no prior development experience or payment upon registration. You’ll only pay to secure testing hardware. These costs are covered within the development portal.
Nintendo’s guidelines for Switch development aren’t 100% explicit, but online instructions seem to point us in the right direction. Here’s our tutorial:
Obtaining Your SDK Through the Nintendo Developer Portal
Navigate to the Nintendo Developer Portal website here
Hit the Register button atop the page, or select from two additional buttons and links further down the page. Nintendo will have you create a new account
After choosing Organization or Individual, fill out the forms and hit Review Application. You will confirm your details and submit
Sign into the Nintendo Developer Portal using your new account details here
After signing an NDA and accepting Nintendo’s terms of service, you can access your SDK!
Nintendo is hands off until your game nears completion. Submit your game to Nintendo when finished, prepare your marketing materials, then launch
*Special Note: Various internet users and former Switch developers have suggested you must directly pitch your game to Nintendo prior to final development.
Obtaining Testing Hardware
You must be a registered developer and have an active agreement with Nintendo to receive a dev kit. For this reason, retail Switch owners cannot use their devices for game development.
You must order kits through the Nintendo Developer Portal, and specifically for the Switch, contact Nintendo to request a kit. Developers can do so by sending a form or calling the company directly.
These are available for a fee. Nintendo announced the price of a Switch dev kit to be approximately $450, during the Game Creators Conference of 2017. Time has passed since that announcement – though this is significantly less than the Wii U’s $2,500 price tag.
Becoming a Game Developer is Easier Than Ever
Obtaining development materials from the Big Three is encouragingly straightforward. You don’t need to jump through numerous hoops as a developer, nor must you contend with pay-to-play systems. Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo have democratized SDK retrieval by making their programs accessible. Building a top-notch game on your own terms is easy.
Obtaining hardware is necessary through official channels, via Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo. Consulting resellers like eBay isn’t a reliable way to secure testing hardware. While some costs are expensive, game development for individuals and small studios is certainly within reach. Those opportunities will pave the way for an exciting new wave of titles.