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Implement cloud saves in your game

This article explains how to implement cloud storage by using XGameSaveFiles and no-code cloud saves. The Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK) includes storage features that enhance game development and provide efficient data management solutions.

Implement cloud storage by using XGameSaveFiles

XGameSaveFiles enables cloud saves for sharing across consoles, PCs, and Xbox Game Streaming. Reading and writing data persists across game sessions. The data is seamlessly synced with the cloud. Using XGameSaveFiles enables games to use standard Win32 file I/O APIs to create their own save system. This solution is best for developers who already have this type of system on PC and want to minimize their porting costs to a solution that will work for PC Game Pass.

To implement cloud saves by using XGameSaveFiles

  1. Use XGameSaveFilesGetFolderWithUiAsync to manage game saves. Pass in the XUser handle for the user and the Xbox services SCID (service configuration ID) for the game.
  2. Use XGameSaveFilesGetFolderWithUiResult to get the folder for game saves. Read and write to that folder by using standard Win32 file IO APIs.
  3. Use XGameSaveFilesGetRemainingQuota to return the amount of available per-user quota for storing saved data.
  4. Use XGameSaveFilesGetFolderWithUiAsync when a game resumes to ensure that save data is complete and up-to-date.

File sizes are limited to 64 MB, or to 16 MB if there's a need to interoperate between XGameSave and Connected Storage. By default, per-user storage is limited to 256 MB. If your games need larger per-user storage limits, contact your Developer Program Manager (DPM) to request an exception.

Implement cloud storage by using no-code cloud saves for PC

If your game requires a no-code cloud save option, use the no-code cloud save solution.

Games that use no-code cloud saves access to their designated save directory by using standard Win32 file IO APIs. No special code is needed to manage the synchronization and upload—synchronization is handled automatically.

The no-code cloud save solution is built on XGameSaveFiles and shares the same limitations for file sizes and per-user storage limits.

No-code cloud saves are supported only on PC. No-code cloud saves requires that the game use the simplified user model to ensure that a player is always signed in before the game launches. To enable no-code cloud saves, modify your game's MicrosoftGame.config file. For more information, see Enabling no-code cloud saves.

See also

For more information, see the following articles and samples.