A Quick and Handy Recap on How to Get PS5 Dev Kit

If you’re an enthusiastic developer, I highly recommend you to check out the PlayStation Partners Program. Familiarizing yourself with a development kit can help you get started quickly and make something really cool!

From our analysis, we found that there is a huge interest among game developers worldwide in 2022, especially in North America.

The Play Station Partners Program offers dev kits for independent developers, sole traders, and small companies like Macho Nacho Productions, to create games for the PlayStation console. Joining the PlayStation Partner Program is a great way to get a PS5 dev kit and start creating games.

How to Get a PS5 Dev Kit

The million-dollar question is: how to get PS5 dev kit.

If you’re a game developer or an independent developer looking to get your hands on a PS5 dev kit, the first step is to sign up for the PlayStation Partners Program.

This program allows you to access the tools and resources you need to start creating games for the PlayStation platform. Once you’ve joined the program, you’ll need to determine what you plan to use the dev kit for.

Depending on your project, Sony will provide you with the right kind of PS5 prototype, whether it’s a one USB or a disc drive model.

There are three ways to join the PlayStation Partners Program, First is through the official PlayStation Partners Program site, second is through other business types such as PlayStation mobile, and third is as a student.

All you need is a four buttons and a browser to sign up. As a developer or publisher, the PlayStation Partners Program is a great way to get the resources you need to create and publish games for the PS5.

How to Get a Complimentary PS5 Dev Kit via their New Initiative—PlayStation Partners Program

PlayStation has announced a Development Hardware Loan Program, providing developers and publishers with complimentary PS5 dev and testing kits to help make games for the PS4 and PS5. Eligible applicants must register on the PlayStation Partner website as a legal entity, such as a corporation or company. Microsoft already offers two free dev kits for Xbox consoles, with regular retail Xbox consoles also activatable as dev kits. The program is beneficial for independent developers, allowing them to access the sizable userbases of the PS4 and PS5.

Recently, developers have released their independent games on PC and Xbox first, with PlayStation versions released afterward. This has been seen with Death’s Door and Rogue Legacy 2. We hope that accessibility to PS5 dev kits will help to make more upcoming indie games available to all platforms at the same time, allowing a wider audience to experience the titles at launch.

To obtain a PS5 dev kit, sign up through the Partners Program itself:

• Go to the official PlayStation Partners Program webpage.
• Pick the options that apply to you best under the Developers and Publishers section.
• Finish filling the application, and press Submit.
• If your application is approved, then you can access the SDKs immediately through your PlayStation console!
• After the final touches, you can market your game’s release, and publish it (either by yourself or through a publisher) on the PlayStation Store!

How to Get a PS5 Dev Kit via Other Business Types

Let’s check out how you can obtain it without direct involvement of the Partners Program:

• Go to the official PlayStation Partners Program webpage.
• Click the link that corresponds to the location you’re in under the Other Business Types section.
• If you plan to develop your app on PlayStation Mobile, make sure you keep it checked.
• Follow any on-screen instructions, and you’ll be done eventually!

There is a difference between the development pipelines between the PlayStation Mobile and the PlayStation console platforms.

So, you’ll be given a separate SDK for PS Mobile, if your application is approved.

How to Get a PS5 Dev Kit as an Academic Student

Now, let’s say you’re an academic student making an exciting PlayStation project either solo or with a group. Here’s how you can get access to the PS5 dev kit:

• Go to the official PlayStation Partners Program webpage.
• Select University/Academia Programs to obtain an SDK through their programs.
• Select your platform, distribution method, and any important information the form asks of you.
• Once you submit your filled form, it’ll take a while for your application to be processed. On acceptance, you may use your shiny PlayStation SDK pretty soon!
• Student verification procedures are likely involved, so keep all your details or documents ready as well.

Let’s check this.

Quick Overview

PS5 Dev Kit Proprietary Conditions

First of all, let me tell you that it’s not available for purchase to just anyone. The prototype, also known as the dev kit, is only accessible through official Sony or PlayStation channels. And even then, it’s not something you get to keep – once you’re done using it to develop a game, you have to return it to Sony. Keep in mind that when you pay for the kit, you’re actually paying for the license to use it, not the kit itself.

Another thing to note is that the prototype is protected by a non-disclosure agreement. This means that once you sign it, you’re free to use the dev kit, but you’re not allowed to share any information about it, including specifications and details. Additionally, the prototype is IP-locked, meaning you can’t travel with it or use it on any other connection. So, make sure to plan your time accordingly.

On top of all that, there are also licensing fees to worry about. These fees can be pretty steep – the dev kit for the PS4 cost $2,500 alone. It’s safe to assume that the PS5 dev kit will be even more expensive. And keep in mind that the prototype also has an expiration date. You’ll need to pay the annual licensing fee to keep it activated, otherwise, it will be decommissioned.

All of this is to say that the PS5 prototype is only available to certain legal entities, such as game developers and publishers, who are part of Sony’s partners program. Developers and publishers must be based in certain countries and be able to meet the legal entity requirements set by Sony.

Additionally, the PS5 prototype comes with a SDK (Software Development Kit) that allow developers to create video games for the console. SDK is also protected by a NDA and its activation is linked to the same licenses as the PS5 prototype.

PS5 Dev Kit Leaked

So, a little while back in 2019, some photos of the official PS5 dev kit leaked to the public. At first, people were skeptical, but as more and more information came out, it became clear that these photos were the real deal.

Gizmodo went deeper into the rabbit hole. This caused quite a stir in the gaming world, with even major websites like Gizmodo diving deep into the details.

Here’s the cooling system blueprint:

From what we can see, Sony really went all out with performance optimization for the dev kit. If you remember, one of the complaints about the PlayStation 4 was that it could get pretty loud when running certain games. It looks like they’ve addressed that issue with the PS5 dev kit.

Another interesting point is that a developer, Alkoholikaust, posted a tweet showing the dev kit in action. This is a pretty solid source and it’s clear from the photos that it matches up with the renders and patent photos that have been circulating.

It’s worth mentioning that the development kit is only available to certain legal entities, such as game developers and publishers, who are part of Sony’s partners program.

Developers and publishers must be based in certain countries and be able to meet the legal entity requirements set by Sony.

Additionally, the PS5 prototype comes with a SDK (Software Development Kit) that allow developers to create video games for the console. SDK is also protected by a NDA and its activation is linked to the same licenses as the PS5 prototype.

The PS5 dev kit also includes Ethernet ports and other add-ons, and it has its own documentation and web-based resources to help developers get the most out of the console. The dev kit is protected by a licensing fee, and it comes with a non-disclosure agreement that developers must sign before they can use the kit.

Besides the PS5 dev kit, there are a couple of other exciting things to know about the new PlayStation. For example,

Sony filed a patent for an AI-based voice assistant back in 2019, which could give Siri, Alexa, and Cortana a run for their money. It’s unclear when we’ll see this in action, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.

Another noteworthy development is the official registration documents for the PlayStation 5 which include some additional scans of the console. Sony announced the release date of the PS5 to be holiday 2020, and since then it has been a hit among the gaming community, who are loving it to bits.

What is a Dev Kit?

Speaking of the dev kit, it is designed for game development and it’s only available to certain legal entities, such as game developers and publishers, who are part of Sony’s partners program.

Developers and publishers must be based in certain countries such as Canada and Europe and be able to meet the legal entity requirements set by Sony.

Additionally, the PS5 prototype comes with a SDK (Software Development Kit) that allow developers to create video games for the console. SDK is also protected by a NDA and its activation is linked to the same licenses as the PS5 prototype.

Dev kits usually have:

• Documentation files; they explain how you can use the SDK.
• Sample code snippets; they demonstrate how the programming scripts work.
• Code libraries; to put it simply, they help extend your coding scripts’ capabilities on certain platforms and machines.
• An Application Programming Interface; API, for short.

The PS5 dev kit also includes Ethernet ports and other add-ons, and it has its own documentation and web-based resources to help developers get the most out of the console. The dev kit is protected by a licensing fee, and it comes with a non-disclosure agreement that developers must sign before they can use the kit. The cost of the dev kit is not officially reported yet by Sony, but it’s reasonable to assume it will cost around $2,500 to $3,000, similar to the PS4 dev kit.

What You Need To Know Straightaway

Now, to share a vital piece of information, here’s what you need to know.

The Dev Kit also includes Ethernet ports and other add-ons and comes with a Software Development Kit (SDK) with its own documentation and web-based resources. Activation of the SDK is linked to the same licenses as the PS5 prototype. The Dev Kit is protected by a licensing fee

• Sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
• Pay for a license to use PS5 Dev Kit
• Be part of Sony’s partners program and based in certain countries, like parts of Europe and Canada
• Meet the legal entity requirements set by Sony

Frequently Asked Questions

Are You Planning to Get a PS5 Dev Kit?

Before investing in a PS5 dev kit, it’s essential to consider the costs, effort, and barriers involved. These all affect the productivity of the project. It’s important to assess the feasibility of the project and ensure it will be worth the investment in the long run.

Sony supports indie game developers by providing kits for them to create and launch games on both PS4 and PS5 consoles, giving them access to more resources and a larger audience.

Developers must have a team size of 3 or fewer, and be based outside of Japan (e.g. Canada, Europe) to be eligible for the kits. This initiative is advantageous compared to Microsoft’s equivalent program which requires developers to have already released a title before receiving one.

Now Its Your Turn!

Now that we’ve given you a full in depth look at the facts, what do you think?

Has this information helped you make a decision and if so, feel free to leave a reply comment.

Are you happy with the level of support and information provided by Sony? Share your thoughts and feedback on this topic if you have any.