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msftgamedev.bsky.social
Microsoft Game Dev
@msftgamedev.bsky.social
2.1K followers 82 following 190 posts
Let's make games!

Home of the Microsoft Game Developer Community. Join us on Discord: https:/discord.gg/msftgamedev
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msftgamedev.bsky.social
Microsoft Game Dev @msftgamedev.bsky.social · Nov 12
Did you know we have a Discord? 🤔

If you want to:
🧑‍🤝‍🧑Meet fellow developers
🤝 Connect with Microsoft/Xbox Developer experts
📢 Keep up to date on MS Game Dev news

You should come join us! 🔗 discord.gg/msftgamedev
The Microsoft Game Dev profile is shown here. The banner at the top is purple with a cube, geometric shape on the right side. It bears the text "Powering Games, Empowering Creators." The MSGD logo is on the left side, which has the Windows and Xbox logos in white on a purple background. In the main section of text, the following information is listed: Microsoft Game Dev (Verified symbol) 2,179 Online | 10, 746 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
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Which of the 2025 Xbox Excellence Award recipients were on your play list last year? 🎮

If you missed the announcement, catch up on the news here: msft.it/63326Qryvq
Silver Xbox Excellence Award trophy against a green gradient background with the text ‘Xbox Excellence Awards.
February 13, 2026 at 11:04 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
The 2025 Xbox Excellence Awards are here! 🎉

Join us in celebrating the past year's most outstanding games and the teams behind them. 🎊 Congrats to all our honorees and thank you for creating the most amazing worlds for us all to enjoy.

See the full list of recipients: news.xbox.com/2026/02/11/x...
Celebrating the 2025 Xbox Excellence Awards - Xbox Wire
Join us in celebrating the year’s most outstanding games and the teams behind them with the 2025 Xbox Excellence Awards. Check out the full list and winners here: #url#
news.xbox.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:05 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Xbox is heading to GDC 2026! 🎊

Headed to @officialgdc.bsky.social next month? Stop by and connect with us, other game creators, publishers, and more.

We'll also be hosting our first Xbox Dev Summit to help game devs like you build what's next! Learn more: developer.microsoft.com/games/articl...
Green promotional graphic with the Xbox logo and the headline ‘Build for what’s next. The future of Xbox starts now,’ surrounded by Xbox devices including a console, controllers, laptop, tablet, and phone.
February 12, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by Microsoft Game Dev
simplygon.com
Mobile games often rely on a free-to-play model where monetization comes from microtransactions.

👉Asset creation cost is directly correlated to how profitable the video game is.

👍How to reduce the cost of mobile art optimization
simplygon.com/posts/9bdd27...

#gamedev
February 9, 2026 at 9:37 AM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Are you a member of our Community Discord? Do you have thoughts on how we can better serve our community?

We want to hear from you! If you have ~5 minutes to take this quick survey, we'd greatly appreciate it. Help us help you on your journey to publish on Xbox: nam.dcv.ms/3o4SkhaRCA
Dynamics 365 Customer Voice
nam.dcv.ms
February 6, 2026 at 10:13 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Happy Friday!

Open Office Hours begins in just under 30 minutes on our Discord! Bring your questions, share your game dev stories, or just come and make connections with your friendly local Microsoft Game Dev staff!

Join the server today: discord.gg/msftgamedev
Purple promotional graphic for Discord Open Office Hours. The design shows the Discord logo and text reading “Discord Open Office Hours, hosted by Brandy Camel & Clint Woon, every Friday @ 11AM PT.” Two circular profile photos appear near the bottom, separated by a plus sign, with Microsoft and Xbox logos near the top.
February 6, 2026 at 6:33 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
The January PlayFab Digest is here! This month's updates include:

🍎 Smoother iOS integrations
🖥️ Improved Unreal Support
🛠️ New Game Manager tools

Read more in our latest blog: msft.it/63325QyjrJ
PlayFab Digest: January Feature Updates
Take a closer look at the enhancements to PlayFab for the month of January.
msft.it
January 31, 2026 at 12:02 AM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
The first Office Hours Recap for 2026 is here! 🎉

If you're planning to apply to @idatxbox.bsky.social, learn all about the program as well as tips on applying straight from the experts. #gamedev

🔗 msft.it/63320QG29G
Office Hours Recap - ID@Xbox
In this Office Hours Recap, we revisit a Q&A with ID@Xbox Director Guy Richards and Lead Developer Partner Manager Michael Siebert to talk all about digital publishing through the program, including tips and advice on the application and pitching processes.
msft.it
January 28, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Reposted by Microsoft Game Dev
jespertingvall.bsky.social
Another of my @msftgamedev.bsky.social articles is up. In it I'll give an overview of how to optimize vegetation assets. I'll cover why those are tricky and what tools we at @simplygon.com has to tackle them.

developer.microsoft.com/en-us/games/...

#gamedev
How to Optimize Vegetation with Simplygon
We take a closer look at five different tools for automated vegetation asset optimization.
developer.microsoft.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:04 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Just good vibes today. 😎

Tell us a game you'd describe as "chill." #gamedev
January 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Have you kept up on the latest Microsoft Game Dev Tools & Services? Our Q4 2025 Overview has all the details in one place!

A few highlights include:
☑️ GDK 10.25
☑️ GameInput v3.1
☑️ Game Profiles for the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally

➕ More : msft.it/63323QDgXB
What's New in Microsoft Game Dev Tools and Services
Check out an overview of the latest updates to Microsoft Game Development tools and services.
msft.it
January 23, 2026 at 11:01 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Going live now with the PlayFab team - join us on Discord and bring your developer questions!

discord.com/channels/684...
Discord - Group Chat That’s All Fun & Games
Discord is great for playing games and chilling with friends, or even building a worldwide community. Customize your own space to talk, play, and hang out.
discord.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:03 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Is there a #gamedev you admire? Why do they inspire you?
January 16, 2026 at 5:30 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Our first guests on Office Hours join us from the PlayFab team!

🗓️On Friday, January 16 at 11:00 AM Pacific, come hang out on Discord, chat with us, and don't be afraid to ask our knowledgeable team your questions.

Join the event here: discord.gg/Wr3yJBAA?eve...
Promotional graphic for a Discord Office Hours event featuring Team PlayFab, scheduled for January 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM PT. Guest speakers listed are David Sayed, Keith Kline, Kirsten Dearnley, and Ronald Harding.
January 16, 2026 at 12:48 AM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Happy Friday and welcome to 2026!

How has your first week of the year gone, game devs? What are you looking forward to accomplishing this year? #askadev
January 9, 2026 at 9:00 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Our first Office Hours of 2026 is this Friday, January 9!

Join us to chat, ask questions, or just share with us what you're working on. We're looking forward to hearing from our game dev community and kicking off the new year.

Join us on Discord: discord.gg/msftgamedev
Purple promotional graphic for Discord Open Office Hours, hosted by Brandy Camel and Clint Woon. The design features the Discord logo and text reading “Open Office Hours,” with the schedule noted as every Friday at 11 a.m. PT, along with circular profile-style images beneath the text and subtle interface icons on the background.
January 9, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Reposted by Microsoft Game Dev
idatxbox.bsky.social
January's Selects have arrived! 🎉Let's make 2026 the best year yet for Indie Selects!

Which have you played and what are you wanting to try? #xbox #idxbox #indiegames
January Indie Selects 2026
January 7, 2026 at 5:36 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
We're almost to the end of 2025. 😲 The year's really flown by, hasn't it?

What's your greatest #gamedev accomplishment this year? We'd love to celebrate your wins! 🎉
December 23, 2025 at 12:30 AM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Our final Office Hours Recap blog for 2025 is now available. 🎉

Come learn everything about the @idatxbox.bsky.social Developer Acceleration Program from program director James Lewis. msft.it/63321toWgX
Office Hours Recap - James Lewis
James Lewis, Director of the ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program (DAP) joined us to go over the program in detail, covering everything from its history to best practices for applying.
msft.it
December 18, 2025 at 11:05 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
We've had that one stuck in our head all day, really. 🎼

Tell us your most memorable game soundtrack! #gamedev
December 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
High-quality Level of Detail (LOD) models for vehicles can make or break the performance and visual fidelity in racing games. 🏎️💨

Want to hit top speed? Check out our latest blog for (5) expert tips using @simplygon.com : msft.it/63326tc40o
How to Create AAA Quality Vehicle LODs for Racing Games with Simplygon
Five expert tips for optimizing high-quality Level of Detail (LOD) models for vehicles using Simplygon.
msft.it
December 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Our final Office Hours for 2025 is just around the corner! We'll be hosting a laid-back Let's Play as we close out the year.

Drop by our Discord and let's take a look back on the year while we get digging: discord.gg/msftgamedev
A purple promotional graphic for a Discord “Open Office Hours Community Let’s Play” event scheduled for December 12, 2025 at 11 AM PT. The top features the Discord logo along with Xbox branding. Below, a game cover for “Digging a Hole” appears on the left, and on the right is a circular photo frame containing a person outdoors. Decorative lines and UI‑style elements accent the layout.
December 11, 2025 at 1:06 AM
msftgamedev.bsky.social
Did you know? We host a monthly Art Jam on our community Discord! We provide the prompt; you doodle your interpretation and the game dev community votes on their favorites at the end of the month!

🎨Try your hand in this month's challenge on Discord: discord.gg/msftgamedev
A cute green dinosaur holds a white handheld gaming console in its mouth, gripping it gently between its teeth. The dino stands upright and carries an orange jack-o’-lantern candy bucket with both hands. The background is a warm gradient of yellow to orange, giving the image a playful Halloween vibe. A whimsical creature with cat‑like features stands upright wearing a festive red holiday sweater decorated with reindeer. It has a large red nose, a fluffy gray beard, and small branch-like decorations on its head. The creature holds a bunch of mistletoe tied with a red ribbon in one hand and carries a woven basket on its back filled with a small Christmas tree topped with a glowing yellow star. Its long tail curls behind it, ending in a tiny bell ornament. A large gray wolf is curled up peacefully, sleeping with its paws tucked in. Nestled against its chest is a small doll dressed as Little Red Riding Hood. Above them, nine cartoonish hunter icons are shown, each crossed out with a bold red “X,” creating a humorous tally. The scene has a warm yellow‑to‑orange gradient background and a playful, storybook tone. A cozy pencil sketch of a dragon lounging in an overstuffed armchair, wearing a patterned sweater. The dragon smokes a pipe, with a curl of smoke rising above its head, and reads an open book resting on its lap. One clawed foot is propped up, wings folded behind the chair, and its long tail drapes over the side. The scene feels warm, calm, and storybook-like.
December 10, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Reposted by Microsoft Game Dev
idatxbox.bsky.social
We’re thrilled to launch the Indie Selects Demo Fest! Starting today, discover over 30 amazing game demos—now including PC and Handheld titles for the first time!

Learn More & Get Started: xbx.social/63328t9oEy #xbox #idxbox #indiegames
Indie Selects Demo Fest Promo Art
December 9, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Microsoft Game Dev
simplygon.com
Congratulations to Ubisoft Mainz on launching Anno 117: Pax Romana! 🏛️

A stunning city builder optimized with Simplygon technology.

Start shaping your legacy as Governor today.
www.anno-union.com/games/anno-1...
November 26, 2025 at 11:38 AM