Xbox Highlights Four 'Exciting Updates' Added In Latest Development Kit Release

It's never usually a big deal when Microsoft and Xbox unveil a new Development Kit Release (GDK) as it's typically behind-the-scenes stuff that doesn't affect consumers all that much, but we're quite interested in the latest version.

Over on the Microsoft website, it's mentioned how there are four "exciting updates" in the GDK Release that just arrived in October, and two of them are definitely interesting from our perspective - one relates to improving cross-save support between Xbox and Steam, and the other relates to improving mouse and keyboard support on console.

Here's a bit more information on each of them:

  • GameInput on console brings a single modern input API to Xbox and PC. It unifies keyboard, mouse, gamepad, and custom devices under one model designed for low latency and thread safety. Polling and event callbacks are supported, making cross-platform input code simpler and more reliable. Learn more at aka.ms/gameinput.
  • PlayFab Game Saves (preview) makes cross progression possible so players can keep their progress when moving between Xbox and Steam, with more platforms coming soon. It handles sync and conflict resolution, works offline, and is available by request in PlayFab Game Manager. Additional details can be found at aka.ms/playfab-game-saves.

We actually covered PlayFab Game Saves in a bit more detail when it was first unveiled recently:

From what we can tell, GameInput isn't just about making it easier to add multiple control schemes to a single game, but the documentation mentions how you can "add support for additional input devices without major changes to input code". With that in mind, we're hoping it's going to have a meaningful impact for mouse and keyboard on console.

The other two "exciting updates" are quite technical and don't mean much to us - but here's a look anyway:

  • Xbox Game Package Manager introduces unified packaging and upload in a single desktop app. Build XVC or MSIXVC packages from loose files, upload through browser-based authentication, and manage multi-tenant workflows—all in an accessible, localized interface.
  • PlayFab Unified SDK is now bundled with the GDK as one modular package. It replaces multiple SDKs with consistent APIs, automatic token refresh, and modern threading, letting you integrate only what you need while reducing complexity and certification risk.

As mentioned, none of this is worth taking too seriously from a consumer perspective, but it does sound like developers are getting access to some useful tools under the hood. Let's hope they make a difference!

In case you missed it, Microsoft and Xbox unveiled the October 2025 update last week with more public-facing information about what's going on right now, but it only included a few minor changes. We'll leave you with a "related" link below:

Any thoughts on this? Let us know down in the comments section down below.

[source developer.microsoft.com]