Topic.
I’m looking into doing a local game design course, which may or may not use Unity, but if I learn to create my own games, I’d like to create my own Xbox games, purely for personal use, therefore would I still need to apply to Microsoft for an Xbox Developer License as I gather they’re hard to get?
I have no plans to distribute games, as under the terms of my tenancy on the Flat (Apartment to Americans) I can’t run any sort of Business from there.
There are two ways to get games onto the Xbox One. You’ve already mentioned the traditional method and as you’ve heard it is harder to achieve. I believe it does require a business too as they do ask you for your business legal info.
UWP is the second method to get games onto the console and is much easier. There are a couple of disadvantages though. For starters, it requires Windows 10 and it has stricter resource usage. You’re restricted to between 2 and 4 cores (normal license allows for 7 I believe), 1GB RAM (normal license allows for 5GB), and only 45% of the GPU.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/xbox-apps/system-resource-allocation
https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/games/uwp/uwp-on-xbox
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/xbox-apps/development-lanes-unity
In addition, running your Xbox One in dev mode may impact performance of retail games. And the only way to switch back to retail mode is to wipe your system and start fresh. At least, that was the case initially, not sure if it’s still true.
Develop for PC. Then plug an XBox controller into a USB port, a big screen into your video port, and your speakers into the audio port. For all intents and purposes you now have a XBox for personal use.
@Kiwasi I see you finally got that name change taken care of. Gonna take some getting used to on my end…
I feel you there. It’s taking me some getting used to too. I keep thinking I’m not logged in because the top of the screen doesn’t say boredmormon.
Same concept applies for the Nintendo Switch. Both the Joy-Con and Pro controllers for the console work with a PC. You just need to have a Bluetooth receiver for your computer and you’re good to go.
https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/how-to-connect-a-nintendo-switch-controller-to-a-pc/
Works for macOS and Android too for that matter. I think it would be hilarious to buy an Amazon Fire $50 tablet and go around playing games on it pretending it’s a Switch. See how many amusing responses you’d get from friends. 
I expect to see this as a life hack on some site now: