Repolode
Submit
microsoft

microsoft/Xbox-GDK-Samples

A collection of C++ game development samples from Microsoft's Xbox Advanced Technology Group, built on the Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK).

View on GitHubWebsite
Stars
364
Forks
54
Open issues
3
Last commit
yesterday

What is it?

Xbox-GDK-Samples is a set of game development samples published by Microsoft's Xbox Advanced Technology Group. They are written for the Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK), the toolchain used to build games for Xbox and Windows PC. The samples are grouped by topic, including Audio, Graphics, Handheld, Live, System, Tools, Unity, and xCloud, and a separate samples list file indexes them by category.

Each sample is a Visual Studio solution, and Unity samples are opened through Unity Hub. The repository also includes shared support code under Kits and media assets under Media. Each sample ships with its own readme that explains how to build and run it.

The current samples require the October 2025 (2510) GDK or later, with the new simplified directory layout. Older sample releases remain available for developers who cannot upgrade. Visual Studio 2022 or later is required.

Key features

  • 01Covers audio, graphics, Live services, system APIs, and xCloud topics
  • 02Includes Unity samples alongside native C++ Direct3D samples
  • 03Shared support code and media assets are provided in Kits and Media folders
  • 04Each sample is a Visual Studio solution with its own run instructions
  • 05Targets the October 2025 GDK with the simplified directory layout

Use cases

  • Learning how to build Xbox or Windows PC games with the GDK
  • Referencing Direct3D rendering and graphics techniques in a GDK project
  • Exploring Xbox Live and system integration APIs in sample code
  • Studying how Unity projects are set up for Xbox development

Quick start

  1. 1

    Install Visual Studio 2022 or later and the October 2025 Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK)

  2. 2

    Open the Visual Studio .sln file in the sample's directory

Things to know

  • Samples require the October 2025 GDK or later, so older installations will not work.
  • Requires Visual Studio 2022 or later and the Microsoft Game Development Kit.
  • Unity samples still use the old GDK directory layout, which the 2510 GDK must install alongside the new one.

In collections

Game development tools & engines

Topics

#game-development#xbox#direct3d#gdk#cpp#graphics#unity#cpp14#microsoft

FAQ

What is Xbox-GDK-Samples?
A collection of C++ game development samples from Microsoft's Xbox Advanced Technology Group, built on the Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK). Xbox-GDK-Samples is a set of game development samples published by Microsoft's Xbox Advanced Technology Group. They are written for the Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK), the toolchain used to build games for Xbox and Windows PC. The samples are grouped by topic, including Audio, Graphics, Handheld, Live, System, Tools, Unity, and xCloud, and a separate samples list file indexes them by category.
Is Xbox-GDK-Samples free to use? What license does it have?
Xbox-GDK-Samples is open source under the MIT license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is Xbox-GDK-Samples still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to Xbox-GDK-Samples was on Nov 6, 2026.
What can I use Xbox-GDK-Samples for?
Learning how to build Xbox or Windows PC games with the GDK Referencing Direct3D rendering and graphics techniques in a GDK project Exploring Xbox Live and system integration APIs in sample code Studying how Unity projects are set up for Xbox development
How do I install Xbox-GDK-Samples?
Install Visual Studio 2022 or later and the October 2025 Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK) Open the Visual Studio .sln file in the sample's directory
Where can I get Xbox-GDK-Samples?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/microsoft/Xbox-GDK-Samples

Summary generated by AI from the project's README. GitHub stats refresh daily.

Related projects