Console support in Redot

Console publishing process

Regardless of the engine used to create the game, the process to publish a game to a console platform is as follows:

• Register a developer account on the console manufacturer's website, then sign NDAs and publishing contracts. This requires you to have a registered legal entity.

• Gain access to the publishing platform by passing the acceptance process. This can take up to several months. Note that this step is significantly easier if an established publisher is backing your game. Nintendo is generally known to be more accepting of smaller developers, but this is not guaranteed.

• Get access to developer tools and order a console specially made for developers (devkit). The cost of those devkits is confidential.

• Port the engine to the console platform or pay a company to do it.

• To be published, your game needs to be rated in the regions you'd like to sell it in. For example, in North America, the ESRB handles game ratings. In Europe, this is done by PEGI. Indie developers can generally get a rating for cheaper compared to more established developers.

Due to the complexity of the process, many studios and developers prefer to outsource console porting.