Microsoft Game Dev

A promotional image for Discord's Open Office Hours featuring James Lewis. The background is a gradient of purple shades. At the top left, there are icons for Windows and Xbox. Below that, the Discord logo and text read: 'OPEN OFFICE HOURS FT. JAMES LEWIS AUG 1, 2025 @ 11AM PT.' At the bottom right, there is a circular photo of James Lewis.

Join us for Office Hours on our Discord tomorrow at 11 AM PT to chat with James Lewis!

James is director of our Developer Acceleration Program (DAP), part of ID@Xbox. Learn more about his 12+ year career empowering underrepresented creators on Xbox: discord.gg/msftgamedev

Xbox @ gamescom 2025 - Xbox Wire Xbox returns to gamescom with over 20 titles to play (including Hollow Knight: Silksong), a first public hands-on with the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, huge broadcasts, and much more.

Xbox returns to gamescom with over 20 titles to play (including Hollow Knight: Silksong), a first public hands-on with the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, huge broadcasts, and much more: news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/0...

Two handheld gaming devices are shown in a modern, minimalistic room. The top device is black with a screen displaying various game titles such as 'Jump King,' 'Dead Cells,' and 'Stardew Valley.' The bottom device is white with a screen showing the logos of ROG (Republic of Gamers) and Xbox. Both devices have control buttons on either side of the screen, including joysticks and directional pads.

Two new samples are now available for those of you looking to publish your next game on Windows gaming handhelds! 🙌

💾 Download and learn more handheld best practices by using these Native C++ and Unity Managed C# samples, now available on GitHub: developer.microsoft.com/games/articl...

Everything starts with a blueprint! This looks like a great foundation.

Love to see it! First drafts aren't final drafts, and that's okay.

Love this! Practical knowledge is such a boon, and it's awesome to hear you're applying all your skills (even if it's not explicitly from or in creation of a game).

Did you take any classes when becoming a #gamedev? 🧑‍🎓

What have you found most helpful on your journey? #AskADev

White text on a purple background reads: Discord Open Office Hours Ft. Zach Hooper July 18, 2025 @ 11AM PT A Microsoft and Xbox logo occupy the upper left hand of the image while a folded, spherical object takes up the bottom right.

Every Friday, we host open Office Hours, inviting experts from across Xbox to share their insights with the greater game dev community.

Join us July 18 at 11AM PT to chat with Zach Hooper about QA, Engineering, Production and how best to use the GDK with Unity and Unreal.

discord.gg/msftgamedev

Join the Microsoft Game Dev Discord Server! The official home for game devs, hosted by Microsoft. Learn, grow, and connect while publishing to Xbox! | 9921 members

Apologies! Apparently link shorteners break Discord invite links.

discord.gg/msftgamedev is the proper link!

Making Games for All: Accessible Games Initiative Tags Now Available A chat with Phil Crabtree from Kaizen Game Works about how accessibility tools and standards like AGI tags can further transform the gaming industry.

♿🎮 Accessibility in games takes a leap forward with the recently launched Accessible Games Initiative (AGI)!

Read more about these tools and how your projects will benefit from their inclusion: https://msft.it/63329s6UHW

Creative Careers Start Here: 12,000 Learners Enrolled in New Xbox Certificates and Courses on Coursera From mastering the visual side of storytelling to launching creative products, these certificates offer practical pathways into the game industry.

💼Looking to kickstart your career in game development? We've partnered with Coursera to set you up with the skills needed for entry-level jobs in Graphic Design and Product Management.

Join over 12,000 learners in 160+ countries that have enrolled to date: developer.microsoft.com/games/articl...

Text on a purple background reads: "PlayFab Digest: June 2025 Feature Updates."

The latest edition of PlayFab Digest is now available! 🎮

This month, read about new lobby access and invite permissions, Party/MLP SDK updates for PS4 and PS5, and SDK Switch 2 support: https://msft.it/63321SFg2N

Congratulations to the team on your release! 🎉🎉🎉

Swapping textures to solve puzzles is such creative game design, we love to see it!

An illustration of two characters sitting on a bench in front of a whimsical, colorful house. The character on the left wears a hooded cloak and appears to be reading or looking down at something in their hands. The character on the right is larger, smiling, and holding a steaming cup. Several small bird-like creatures are scattered around—some flying, others perched. Above the scene, the word 'Wanderstop' is displayed with a stylized coffee cup integrated into the design.

This week's Inside Indie Selects features Wanderstop from @ivyroadgames.bsky.social! ☕

Learn more about this remote studio's first game and how they refined their processes to bring their narratively-driven cozy tea shop sim to life: https://msft.it/63321Sv7Gz

These are looking great!

A glowing green Xbox nexus radiates energy at the center of a cosmic blue and green background. Below it is a silhouette of the Cologne, Germany skyline. The text reads "Xbox @ Gamescom."

Xbox 💚 gamescom

See you gamescom from August 20 – 24! | #xboxgamescom

We all get started somewhere. What game inspired you to get into #gamedev? #AskADev

An illustration of two characters sitting on a bench in front of a whimsical, colorful house. The character on the left wears a hooded cloak and appears to be reading or looking down at something in their hands. The character on the right is larger, smiling, and holding a steaming cup. Several small bird-like creatures are scattered around—some flying, others perched. Above the scene, the word 'Wanderstop' is displayed with a stylized coffee cup integrated into the design.

This week's Inside Indie Selects features Wanderstop from @ivyroadgames.bsky.social! ☕

Learn more about this remote studio's first game and how they refined their processes to bring their narratively-driven cozy tea shop sim to life: https://msft.it/63321Sv7Gz

How Electronic Arts Standardized their C++ Builds Across Windows and Linux using Visual Studio Build Tools Find out how Electronic Arts has used Visual Studio’s cross-platform support for several years to ensure their builds stay consistent.

Electronic Arts has used Visual Studio’s cross-platform support for several years to ensure their builds stay consistent. Find out how they used these tools to standardize across both Windows and Linux.

Learn more: https://msft.it/63329Svb0P

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

How Electronic Arts Standardized their C++ Builds Across Windows and Linux using Visual Studio Build Tools Find out how Electronic Arts has used Visual Studio’s cross-platform support for several years to ensure their builds stay consistent.

Electronic Arts has used Visual Studio’s cross-platform support for several years to ensure their builds stay consistent. Find out how they used these tools to standardize across both Windows and Linux.

Learn more: https://msft.it/63329Svb0P

🎵99 Bugs on the Wall, 99 Bugs. Take one down, pass it around, 312 Bugs on the wall!🎶

What's the most challenging bug you've ever tackled and how'd you find it? #AskADev

In just an hour, join Clint W. for an open Office Hours discussion, where we'll talk handhelds and Xbox Play Anywhere. Bring your questions!

Join the server here: https://msft.it/63328SqAIi

A screen capture of a Discord profile picture shows: Microsoft Game Dev 1648 Online - 9645 Members Est. Mar 2020 The official home for game devs, hosted by Microsoft. Learn, grow, and connect while publishing to Xbox! 💡Knowledgeable 🤔Curious 😌Professional +2 more

Our MSGD Discord keeps growing by the day—and we'd like you to join us!

On Friday, June 13 at 11:00 AM PT, join Clint W. for an open Office Hours discussion and bring your questions about bringing your game to the Xbox ROG Ally and Ally X!

Join the server here: discord.gg/msftgamedev

ICYMI - If you're planning on developing your latest project with #XboxPlayAnywhere in mind, make sure to visit our new Handheld Development Resource Hub!

A handheld gaming console (the newly announced ROG Xbox Ally X) with a screen displaying a user interface featuring game thumbnails under 'Playing Now' and 'Featured' sections. The console includes two joysticks, directional buttons on the left, and action buttons on the right.

Adding handheld gaming to your dev pipeline might seem intimidating. 🤔 There's a lot to do to ensure your game performs at its best!

Don't stress—here are some best practices to get you started: https://msft.it/63326SUBg2

Two handheld gaming consoles, one black (ROG Xbox Ally X) and one white (ROG Xbox Ally), floating in a modern, minimalistic room with a high ceiling. The black console displays a game library, while the white console shows ROG and Xbox logos. Both feature joysticks, buttons, and shoulder triggers.

Wondering what the new ROG Xbox Ally means for the game you're making?

Take advantage of #XboxPlayAnywhere to reach the widest audience and learn everything you need to know at our new Handheld Development Resource Hub: https://msft.it/63328SohHs

⬛ ROG Xbox Ally X​​
◻️ ROG Xbox Ally​

On the left side of the image the Xbox nexus is shown glowing in front of a smokey bright green background. Text below reads: "Xbox Games Showcase. Sunday, June 8th. 10am PT. 1PM ET/6PM BST." The YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and TikTok logos are shown. On the right side of the image is a graphic reminiscent of a star map. The Outer Worlds 2 logo is show. Text below reads" Direct. Immediately following Xbox Games Showcase"

IT’S SHOWCASE TIME, EVERYONE!

Tune in now to watch the show followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct: xbx.lv/3ZmoM1W | #XboxShowcase #TheOuterWorlds2

How to Watch the Xbox Games Showcase and The Outer Worlds 2 Direct on Sunday - Xbox Wire This Sunday, it’s time for another huge double feature. The Xbox Games Showcase 2025 kicks off on June 8, immediately followed by The Outer Worlds 2 Direct. Here's everything you need to know.

Only 30 more minutes until the #XboxShowcase begins! Will you be joining us?

Here's a quick reminder on where you can tune in: xbx.lv/4jv0M3E