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The Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK) can be used by itself with a C/C++ project or can be used with a game engine that supports integration with the GDK. The PC end-to-end guide gives an overview of the steps required to integrate the GDK with your game and publish your game to the Microsoft Store on the XBOX PC app. The end-to-end guide is organized around these steps in the order you would typically perform them. The guide shows integration using the native GDK APIs. It also contains game engine specific guides that show how to use the GDK in the Unity Engine and the Unreal Engine.

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Sections of the guide

The guide consists of the following sections.

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GDK & game engines

The GDK & game engines section of the guide gives a description of the GDK and contains guides for using the GDK with the Unity Engine and the Unreal Engine.

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Steps for all games

The “Steps for all games” section of the guide describes the steps all games need to take to integrate with the GDK and publish in the Microsoft Store. Where APIs are referenced, the steps cover using the native C/C++ GDK APIs. The individual game engine guides in the previous section cover engine specific steps required to use GDK functionality. For example, accessing C# wrappers in the Unity Engine and using the online-subsystem in the Unreal Engine. This section includes the following steps. Most steps apply as is to games whether they are using a game engine or directly using the GDK APIs in C/C++. The Integrate the GDK with your game section covers initializing the GDK and XBOX/PlayFab services and implementing required features. Depending on the engine you are using you may need to reference one of the engine guides from the previous section for engine specific integration details.

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Steps that may apply to your game

The Steps that may apply to your game section covers services or features that are not required, but that you may want your game to use.

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Next steps

If you are using the C/C++ GDK template project from scratch, go through the Steps for all games section. If you are using a game engine, go through the guide specific to your game engine in the GDK & game engines section and the steps in the Steps for all games section. For the Integrate the GDK with your game section, the engine specific guides provide additional details. For both paths, you’ll want to review the Steps that may apply to your game section for services that are not required but that you may want your game to use.
Last modified on August 20, 2026

Related topics

Optional servicesUse the GDK with Unity, Unreal, and other enginesDevelop a new GDK titleUse the GDK with GodotPorting guides to the XBOX GDK