Console Platforms
Console platforms, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo, are closed ecosystems and much harder to access than PC or mobile. On each one you have to apply to the manufacturer's developer program, sign NDAs and usually receive dev kits (special development hardware).
To be evolved. I haven't launched on any console (yet), so the information below is general and orientational. This section will be expanded when a developer with real console experience contributes concrete steps.
What they have in common
- Approval required, you don't publish instantly; you apply and get evaluated (your portfolio / an already-released game often matters).
- NDA + dev kits, you sign confidentiality agreements and work with dedicated hardware/SDK.
- Certification (cert), the game goes through a technical certification process before launch, stricter than on PC.
- More effort, porting, testing and complying with each console's requirements take time and resources.
The three platforms
| Console | Program | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation | PlayStation Partners | you apply online; selective process, Sony dev kits |
| Xbox | ID@Xbox | the most accessible for indies; you can test in Dev Mode on a retail console |
| Nintendo | Nintendo Developer Portal | you apply and wait for approval; Nintendo dev kits |
Details on each: Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo.
For a first game as a Romanian company, consoles usually come after PC (Steam) and mobile (Google Play, Apple App Store). Start with the open platforms, gain experience and a released game, then approach consoles.