Console Publishing

Console Publishing Status

Summer Engine is based on Godot 4.5, which has full console export support. However, console publishing is more complex than PC/mobile and requires official approval from platform holders.

Console publishing is not available to everyone. You need:

Registered company or legal entity
Platform holder approval (Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft)
Official dev kit hardware ( $500-$ 10,000+ per platform)
NDAs and publisher agreements

Supported Consoles (via Godot)

Nintendo Switch

✅ Engine support: Available in Godot 4.5+
💼 Requirements: Nintendo Developer Portal approval
🎮 Dev kit: ~$450 USD
📄 NDA: Required before access to Switch SDK

PlayStation 4/5

✅ Engine support: Available in Godot 4.5+
💼 Requirements: PlayStation Partners approval
🎮 Dev kit: PS4 (~ $2,500), PS5 (~$ 2,500)
📄 NDA: Required before SDK access

Xbox One/Series S/X

✅ Engine support: Available in Godot 4.5+
💼 Requirements: ID@Xbox program approval
🎮 Dev kit: Can use retail console for ID@Xbox (or ~$500 dev kit)
📄 NDA: Required for advanced features

Summer Engine uses the same console export code as Godot. Once you have platform approval, our team can help with the export configuration.

How to Get Console Approval

Step 1: Build a Compelling Demo

Platform holders want to see:

✅ Vertical slice - 5-15 minutes of polished gameplay
✅ Visual quality - Professional-looking art and UI
✅ Unique hook - What makes your game special?
✅ Market potential - Why would console players buy this?

Build your demo in Summer Engine for PC first, then apply to console programs.

Step 2: Apply to Developer Programs

Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Developer Portal

Apply at: developer.nintendo.comRequirements:

Registered company (LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.)
Business plan outlining your game
Development team credentials
Previous released games (helpful but not required)

Approval time: 2-6 weeksWhat you get:

Access to Switch SDK
Dev kit purchase option
Publishing documentation
Nintendo developer support

PlayStation - PlayStation Partners

Apply at: partners.playstation.netRequirements:

Registered company
Game pitch with screenshots/trailer
Team experience
Business and marketing plan

Approval time: 4-8 weeks (more selective than Nintendo)What you get:

Access to PS4/PS5 SDK
Dev kit pricing
PlayStation Store publishing rights
Sony developer support

Xbox - ID@Xbox Program

Apply at: xbox.com/developers/idRequirements:

Concept pitch (game description, screenshots)
Publishing plan
Previous game development experience preferred

Approval time: 2-4 weeks (most accessible of the three)What you get:

Use retail Xbox for development (dev kit optional)
Xbox publishing rights
Microsoft developer support
Access to Game Pass opportunities

Advantage: ID@Xbox is the most indie-friendly program - easiest to get approved.

Alternative: Work with a Porting Studio

Don’t want to deal with console bureaucracy? Hire specialists who already have approval and dev kits.

Recommended Godot Porting Partners

Pineapple Works

Specialty: Nintendo Switch

Extensive Godot experience
Published multiple Godot games on Switch
Handles porting, QA, and publishing
Revenue share or flat fee options

Lone Wolf Technology

Specialty: Multi-platform porting

Switch, PlayStation, Xbox experience
Godot engine expertise
Technical optimization for consoles
Full-service porting and publishing

Broken Rules

Specialty: Publishing + Porting

Switch, PlayStation experience
Published their own Godot titles
Can handle publishing negotiations
European studio (good for EU developers)

Contact Summer Team

We can connect you with other trusted partners

Godot-specific porting studios
Console-specific specialists
Publishing consultants

How Porting Studios Work

Typical process:

You provide: PC build (Windows/Mac) of your game
They handle: Console export, optimization, compliance, publishing
Revenue split: Usually 20-40% to porting studio, or flat fee ( $10k-$ 50k range)
Timeline: 2-6 months depending on game complexity

Benefits:

✅ No dev kit purchase needed
✅ No NDA paperwork for you
✅ They handle platform compliance (age ratings, content policies)
✅ Optimization for console performance
✅ Ongoing patch support

DIY Console Porting (Advanced)

If you do get platform approval and want to port yourself:

General Requirements

Dev kit hardware (per platform)
Platform SDK access
Summer Engine source with console modules enabled
Compliance testing (age ratings, content guidelines)
Performance optimization (consoles have fixed specs)

Summer Engine Console Export

Once you have SDK access:

Contact Summer Team

Email [email protected] with:

Proof of platform approval
Which console(s) you’re targeting
Your game’s name and genre

We'll Provide

Console-specific build instructions
Export configuration help
Engine modifications if needed (console-specific optimizations)

Build and Test

Follow platform-specific build processTest on actual dev kit hardware (not emulators)

Submit to Platform

Submit build through platform’s publishing portalWait for certification (2-6 weeks)

We cannot provide SDK files or bypass platform NDAs. You must be approved by Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft independently.We can only help with Summer Engine-specific export configuration after you have legal SDK access.

Console Certification Process

Each platform has strict requirements:

Technical Requirements

Performance: Maintain 30 or 60 FPS (platform-dependent)
Memory limits: Stay within console RAM constraints
Controller support: Full gamepad support required (no keyboard/mouse)
Save data: Follow platform save system guidelines
Suspend/resume: Handle sleep mode correctly

Content Requirements

Age rating: ESRB, PEGI ratings required before publishing
Content policy: No prohibited content per platform rules
Localization: May require multiple language support
Accessibility: Some platforms require accessibility features

Compliance Testing

Submit build to platform’s QA team
Wait for certification results
Fix any failed tests
Re-submit until approved

Timeline: Budget 2-6 months from dev kit to published game (experienced devs can be faster).

Cost Breakdown

Nintendo Switch (Example)

Item	Cost
Nintendo Developer Portal application	Free
Dev kit hardware	~$450 USD
Age ratings (ESRB/PEGI)	$3,000-$ 4,000
Localization (optional)	$5,000-$ 20,000
Total minimum	~$3,500

PlayStation 4/5 (Example)

Item	Cost
PlayStation Partners application	Free
PS4 dev kit	~$2,500
PS5 dev kit	~$2,500
Age ratings	$3,000-$ 4,000
Total minimum	~$6,000 (one console)

Xbox (Example)

Item	Cost
ID@Xbox application	Free
Retail Xbox (dev mode)	~$500
Age ratings	$3,000-$ 4,000
Total minimum	~$3,500

Xbox is the cheapest to start with via ID@Xbox (use retail console). Switch is next. PlayStation is most expensive (requires dedicated dev kit).

Age Ratings (Required for Console)

All console games need official age ratings: ESRB (North America):

Application fee: ~ $3,000-$ 4,000 depending on revenue tier
Fill out content questionnaire
Provide gameplay footage
Rating assigned: E, E10+, T, M, AO

PEGI (Europe):

Similar process and cost to ESRB
Ratings: 3, 7, 12, 16, 18

IARC (International):

Free digital rating system
Used by some platforms
Questionnaire-based (no footage required)

Get ratings after platform approval but before final submission. You’ll need the rating certificates to publish.

Realistic Timeline for Console Release

From PC version complete → console release:

Fast Track (Experienced Team)

Month 1: Apply to platforms, build demo
Month 2: Get approval, purchase dev kits
Month 3: Port game, optimize for console
Month 4: QA testing, submit for certification
Month 5: Fix certification issues, re-submit
Month 6: Approved and published ✅

Realistic Timeline (First Console Game)

Months 1-2: Applications and approval process
Months 3-4: Learning platform SDKs, initial port
Months 5-7: Optimization, fixing console-specific bugs
Months 8-9: QA, age ratings, certification submission
Months 10-12: Certification fixes, re-submissions, launch ✅

Budget 6-12 months for your first console release.

Should You Release on Consoles?

Good Reasons to Target Consoles

✅ Game is well-suited for controllers
✅ You have budget for dev kits and ratings ( $5k-$ 15k)
✅ You have time for 6-12 month process
✅ Game has already succeeded on PC/mobile (proven concept)
✅ Genre fits console market (platformers, roguelikes, cozy games)

Reasons to Wait

❌ First game ever - release on PC/itch.io first
❌ Limited budget - dev kits and ratings are expensive
❌ PC-focused genre (RTS, complex strategy)
❌ Game requires keyboard/mouse
❌ Still in early development - validate on PC first

Most successful indie devs release on PC/itch.io/Steam first, validate the market, then port to consoles once they have revenue and proven demand.Don’t rush to consoles - build your audience on accessible platforms first!

Getting Help with Console Ports

Email Summer Team

We can connect you with:

Trusted porting studios
Platform application help
Summer Engine console export support (post-approval)

Porting Studios

Contact these Godot specialists:

Pineapple Works (Switch focus)
Lone Wolf Technology (multi-platform)
Broken Rules (EU publishing)

Join Console Dev Communities

After platform approval, join:

Nintendo Developer Portal forums
PlayStation Partners community
ID@Xbox Discord

(Requires approved developer status)

Start with PC/Mobile

Not ready for consoles? Focus on PC and mobile first - easier path to release!

Alternative: Console-First Publishers

Some publishers specialize in bringing indie games to console: How it works:

You release your game on PC/Steam first
Publisher sees your game’s success
Publisher approaches you (or you pitch to them)
They fund console ports in exchange for revenue share

Examples: Devolver Digital, Annapurna Interactive, Raw Fury Advantages:

✅ They pay for everything (dev kits, ratings, marketing)
✅ You keep working on the game
✅ Professional QA and optimization
✅ Marketing and PR support

Disadvantages:

📉 Lower revenue share (30-50% to publisher)
📅 You don’t control timeline
🎯 They’re selective (need proven PC success first)

Realistic Advice

For Your First Game

Focus on PC (Windows/Mac/Linux) and itch.io or Steam:

Much faster to market (weeks vs months)
Cheaper ( $0 for itch.io,$ 100 for Steam vs $5k+ for consoles)
Easier to iterate based on player feedback
Build your audience and credibility

Once You Have a Hit

Then consider consoles:

You’ll have revenue to fund dev kits and ratings
You’ll have proven the game concept works
You can hire porting studio or get publisher interest
Platform holders are more likely to approve (proven track record)

Success path: Release on PC → Get good reviews and sales → Use that revenue and validation to fund console portsTrying to launch on all platforms simultaneously is extremely difficult and expensive for indie devs. Start small, grow strategically!

Questions?

Discord Community

Ask about console publishing in #game-dev

X / Twitter

Tweet @SummerEngineCom for questions

Email Summer Team

Questions about console export capabilities

Start with PC Publishing

Focus on accessible platforms first

Core Concepts

Development

Publishing Your Game