Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK) now free on GitHub

AzBat

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Get it here...

https://aka.ms/gdk

Games have always been one of the most technically complex forms of media created. They are limited only by creators' imagination and their ability to translate that vision to reality through technology. We want to enable any creator, anywhere on the planet, to make games for our ecosystem. And, to help with that we've made the Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK) available on GitHub, free of charge!

The GDK is the same base development kit used by hundreds of game creators today and was previously only available to approved partners building for the Xbox ecosystem. The GDK contains the common tools, libraries, and documentation needed for developers, it's the future of the Xbox ecosystem across all platforms—PC, cloud, mobile, and console.

By using the GDK, creators will get a head start on their game development based on a technical foundation that will also allow them to unlock functionalities to integrate with the Xbox ecosystem like commerce, achievements, multiplayer and more. Access to publish on the Xbox ecosystem of stores is still private, following common industry licensing practices. Completing the journey to publish a game to the Xbox store on Windows – directly or through the Game Pass program – involves applying to qualify for an Xbox partners program, signing a license agreement, and configuring gaming services. Interested creators can check out the ID@Xbox program for more information.

Enabling creators of all shapes and sizes to create high quality games is core to our team. This entails delivering tools that developers can use to build games for multiple platforms on multiple engines including tools to create games, programs to help distribute games, services to monetize and commercialize games, and the power to retain, grow, and scale games. Learn more by checking out our recent Game Stack Live event.

Our mission is to democratize game development to generate a diverse, rich portfolio of content our gaming audiences will love, and to create opportunities for all communities to share their stories through games. Making the GDK publicly available is the first step in that journey. We invite you to try out the GDK, check out the documentation, and get started building games today on GitHub.

https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/games/blog/meet-the-microsoft-game-developer-kit-gdk/

Tommy McClain
 
This is their first release on GitHub. I'm sure with more time things will open up. But as of right now, there isn't a large barrier to get the GDKX tools if you want them.


Already in an Xbox developer program and looking for the GDKX or related resources to build and publish to Xbox consoles?

The Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK) contains the common tools, libraries, and documentation needed to build games for the Xbox App on Windows 10, Xbox Game Pass for PC, Xbox consoles (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One), and Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming.

You can obtain the latest release of the GDK on GitHub here: https://aka.ms/gdk.

  • Prior to this public release, the GDK was only available to developers under confidential licenses within an Xbox developer program.
  • The GDK is now available to all developers free of charge, to help developers learn how to build games for the Xbox App on Windows and Game Pass; no license required for learning.
  • Additional licensing is required to obtain the Xbox Extensions to build games optimized for Xbox consoles or publish games to the Microsoft catalog for any platform.
  • More information can be found in our GDK public documentation (http://aka.ms/gamedevdocs)
GDK_vs_GDKX.png

Tommy McClain
 
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