> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://devdocs.xbox.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Godot & Community Engines overview

> Ship XBOX and Windows titles with community engines like Godot, GameMaker, or a custom C/C++ engine by integrating the GDK yourself via native plug-ins.

This path is for teams building their game in **Godot**, **GameMaker**, or a **custom (in-house) engine**. Unlike Unreal and Unity, these engines don't have a first-party XBOX plug-in — you'll integrate the GDK yourself, typically by wrapping GDK APIs behind an engine plug-in or native module.

<Tip>
  **Is this the right path for you?** Pick this if your engine isn't Unreal or Unity. If you're using Unreal or Unity, jump to [Unreal](/paths/unreal/overview) or [Unity](/paths/unity/overview) — they have dedicated tooling that saves you a lot of work.
</Tip>

## Before you start

Make sure the following are in place. If anything is missing, go back to the [Home](/) guided path.

* **ID\@XBOX onboarding complete** — see [ID@XBOX onboarding](/home/onboarding).
* **Dev PC ready** — see [Setup & install](/home/setup-install/get-started).
* **A working project in your engine of choice** — Godot 4, GameMaker Studio 2, or your custom C/C++ engine.
* **GDK integration path chosen**:
  * Godot → [Godot sample repo](/build/gdk-and-engines/godot)
  * GameMaker → [GDK extension](/build/gdk-and-engines/gamemaker)
  * Custom C/C++ → [Custom engine integration](/build/gdk-and-engines/custom-engine)
* **Partner Center product** with the appropriate device rows checked.

## Build & develop

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="GDK and engines" icon="puzzle-piece" href="/build/gdk-and-engines/gdk-and-engines">
    How the GDK plugs into Godot, GameMaker, and custom engines.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Godot integration" icon="robot" href="/build/gdk-and-engines/godot">
    Use the XBOX Godot sample to integrate the GDK, XBOX services, and PlayFab.
  </Card>

  <Card title="GameMaker integration" icon="dice" href="/build/gdk-and-engines/gamemaker">
    Prepare a GameMaker Studio 2 game with the GDK Extension.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom engine integration" icon="code-branch" href="/build/gdk-and-engines/custom-engine">
    Bind GDK APIs from a proprietary C/C++ engine.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Packaging" icon="box" href="/build/core-features/common/packaging/overviews/packaging">
    Package your title for XBOX and Windows.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Error handling" icon="bug" href="/build/core-features/common/async/index">
    Handle HRESULT, XError, and service errors across the GDK.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Add services

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="XBOX Services overview" icon="trophy" href="/services/xbox-services/index">
    Identity, achievements, multiplayer, cloud saves.
  </Card>

  <Card title="PlayFab overview" icon="database" href="/services/playfab/get-started/what-is-playfab">
    Player data, live-ops, and backend services.
  </Card>

  <Card title="XSAPI C reference" icon="code" href="/reference/system/gc-reference-system-toc">
    Call XBOX Services from native code.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom engine integration" icon="code-branch" href="/build/gdk-and-engines/custom-engine">
    Direct GDK integration patterns.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Publish

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Publishing overview" icon="compass" href="/publishing/game-publishing/overview">
    End-to-end submission workflow.
  </Card>

  <Card title="XBOX Requirements" icon="clipboard-check" href="/publishing/certification/xbox-requirements">
    XR compliance.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Certification" icon="shield-check" href="/publishing/certification/overview">
    Cert process.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Store listing" icon="store" href="/publishing/game-publishing/overview">
    Product page setup.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pricing" icon="tag" href="/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/availability/sale-pricing">
    Pricing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Ratings" icon="star" href="/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/age-ratings">
    Age ratings.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Optimize & reference

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Optimize" icon="gauge-high" href="/tools/index">
    Profilers, diagnostics, and performance tools.
  </Card>

  <Card title="API References" icon="brackets-curly" href="/reference/system/gc-reference-system-toc">
    Gaming Runtime, XBOX Services, and platform APIs.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


## Related topics

- [General porting guides](/paths/porting/guides.md)
- [Use the GDK with Godot](/build/gdk-and-engines/godot.md)
- [Porting overview](/paths/porting/overview.md)
- [XBOX Godot Sample v0.2.0 Release](/build/gdk-and-engines/godot-release-notes/godot-release-notes-0-2-0.md)
- [XBOX Godot Sample v0.3.0 Release](/build/gdk-and-engines/godot-release-notes/godot-release-notes-0-3-0.md)