Each application submitted to the store should meet many requirements, specified at the http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/hh184843 website. They are related to various aspects and are divided into some groups, including:
- App policies – http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/hh184841
- Content policies – http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/hh184842
- App submission requirements – http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/hh184844
- Technical certification requirements – http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/hh184840
You should carefully read these policies before submitting the application to the store and adjust the project to comply with all applicable ones. The exemplary game is related to many requirements, including the following:
- Your app must provide in-app settings that allow the user to enable and disable your app's access to and use of location from the Location Service API (point 2.7.3)
- Game apps must be categorized as Games (point 3.11)
- The app must be compiled using retail configuration instead of debug. The app must not contain debugging symbols or output (point 4.2.3)
- For each app, you must provide at least one or up to a maximum of eight screenshots for each supported screen resolution (point 4.6)
- The app must render the first screen within 5 seconds after launch (point 5.2.1)
- For games, when the Back button is pressed during gameplay, the game can choose to present a pause context menu or dialog or navigate the user to the prior menu screen. Pressing the Back button again while in a paused context menu or dialog closes the menu or dialog (point 5.2.4.4)
Of course, many requirements are common for various types of applications, such as a necessity of a quick launch. However, some of them are dedicated to particular kinds of projects, including applications that run under a locked screen, share photos, as well as play background audio. You should check which requirements are related to your application, and ensure that all of them are met before publishing.