YoYo Games, who are currently attending Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2014 in Europe, announced today that they are strengthening their strategic partnership with Microsoft by offering GameMaker Studio users the ability to publish their games to Xbox One. YoYo Games have also promised additional support for current Microsoft platforms including Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone 8.1, as well as support for future versions of the Windows operating system.
The GameMaker Studio export module for Xbox One will be available to registered members of Microsoft’s ID@Xbox program in late 2014.
Official Response
YoYo Games CEO Sandy Duncan said, “This is a great day for GameMaker Studio developers. We’re absolutely thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Microsoft and to give our community the ability to publish to Xbox One for the first time. We’re especially excited that this agreement will bring continued and future support for all Microsoft platforms.
Microsoft marketing manager Ryan Lowdermilk said, We’re thrilled that the Xbox developer community now has the ability to use GameMaker. With GameMaker already available for Windows Phone and Windows, it gives developers another great way to create games across multiple Microsoft platforms.
Community Reactions
Reactions to this much-anticipated announcement were generally positive.
GameMaker community member makerofthegames said, This is rekindling my faith in the Xbox.”
Fellow community member zendorf said, “Great news, but it is not like we didn’t see this coming.”
Reddit user olivaw_another said, “This is incredible! I’m sure I’m not the only person who has wanted to have their game available on their Xbox One.”
Become An Xbox One Developer
If you would like to discuss Xbox publishing opportunities with Microsoft, you can contact the following departments.
Retail Business Development: gamesub@microsoft.com
Digital Business Development: arcade@microsoft.com
Read more about the application process »