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What is…Lotcheck and Cert?

June 1, 2020

As promised in our recent Development Roadmap, today we’ll be talking about what the process is like to get a console game approved by Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony.  If you missed our previous explanation of what it’s like getting a game rated, you can read all about that right here.

Every console has their own approval process, which has its own name, but each checks to ensure your game meets their specific requirements.  Lotcheck doesn’t ensure a game is bug-free, though if they find a bug, they’ll usually let you know.  Instead, it’s checking to make sure all the little differences that change between each console is applied — the right button art is present, and terminology is used correctly.  After all, you wouldn’t want your Nintendo Switch copy to have instructions like “Press the Triangle Button” right?

Each platform holder has very specific requirements for how to use their specific terminology.  Between “Press the A button,” “Press A button,” or “Press a button” only one is correct, and lotcheck ensures everyone uses the same messages.  This check is very thorough, and it’s very easy to accidentally mistype or forget to change something.  Many games fail cert the first time it’s submitted.

The good news we’re sharing today is we’ve begun to submit the console versions for approval!  Once each version for PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch has been approved, we can set a release date for all three and we can’t wait to announce when you’ll be able to play Rebel Galaxy Outlaw on consoles.