Develop games on Windows 10

With Xbox on Windows, Xbox Live, cross-device multiplayer, an amazing gaming community, and the power of DirectX 12, Windows 10 games will thrill millions of players worldwide across phone, PC, and Xbox One.

Xbox on Windows

With Xbox on Windows 10, gamers now have more ways to connect and play—games, friends, and achievements follow players across their Windows devices. Xbox Live lets your game go social, tapping into an established and passionate community of gamers that play voraciously and then recommend their favorites to friends and family.

Exciting Xbox Live features like achievements, leaderboards, cross-device multiplayer, matchmaking, and Game DVR are built into Windows 10. Now you can connect players with their friends (or enemies) whether they play on phone, PC, or Xbox One. Become an ID@Xbox developer to get the tools and support you need and use these features to unleash your creativity and maximize your success.

Universal Windows Platform

The new Universal Windows Platform (UWP) delivers compatibility for your game across Windows 10-based devices. The platform provides a common API for phone, PC, and Xbox One, along with tools and options to tailor your game to each device experience.

Get the developer tools and information you need to start developing for the UWP.

Windows 10 game development guide

DirectX 12

DirectX 12 enables the performance of a console-like API and is faster and more efficient than ever before. Your game can fully utilize modern graphics hardware and feature enhanced effects, more objects, and richer scenes. Direct3D 12 delivers optimized graphics for Windows 10 PCs, tablets, and Xbox One.

ID@Xbox

The ID@Xbox program helps qualified game developers self-publish on Windows and Xbox One. If you want to develop for Xbox One or add the power and excitement of Xbox Live—Gamerscore, cross-device multiplayer, achievements, leaderboards, and more—to your Windows 10 game, sign up now with ID@Xbox. Become an ID@Xbox developer to get the tools and support you need to unleash your creativity and maximize your success.

The Future of Gaming Across the Microsoft Ecosystem

Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, discusses the future of gaming and the many ways game developers can create innovative game content and experiences for the entire Microsoft ecosystem, including Xbox One and Windows 10-based devices.

Watch this GDC 2015 development talk