> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xbox.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Develop a new GDK title > Create a new GDK title in Visual Studio using project templates for Windows PC, XBOX Series X|S consoles, or a cross-platform build that targets both. This is step 3 of the guided path. Install the GDK and build a sample from [Set up and install the GDK](https://docs.xbox.com/home/setup-install/get-started.md) before starting here. Every GDK game starts as a Visual Studio project. You select a template based on where you want your game to run: Windows PC only, XBOX consoles only, or both targets from the same code. You don't need to finalize this now, because you can add another target later. > [!TIP] > > If you're not sure which target to pick, start with **Desktop** (`Gaming.Desktop.x64`) when you have a Windows PC and no dev kit yet. You can test everything locally. Add XBOX targets after you receive a dev kit. ## Project templates Installing the GXDK adds nine GDK project templates to Visual Studio: five for PC and four for XBOX consoles. | Target | Template | Description | | - | - | - | | **Desktop** | Direct3D 12 Desktop Game (Classic) | Standalone PC game on the stock x64 MSBuild platform. | | | Direct3D 12 Desktop Game | Standalone PC game on the `Gaming.Desktop.x64` custom MSBuild platform. | | | Direct3D 12 Desktop Game Makefile | PC game built from a makefile through the command prompt. | | | Desktop Static Library | Static lib targeting `Gaming.Desktop.x64`. | | | Desktop DLL | DLL targeting `Gaming.Desktop.x64`. | | **Console** | Direct3D 12 XBOX Game | Standalone XBOX game executable. | | | Direct3D 12 XBOX Game Makefile | XBOX game built from a makefile. | | | XBOX Static Library | Static lib targeting the XBOX platforms. | | | XBOX DLL | DLL targeting the XBOX platforms. | ## Create a project 1. Open Visual Studio. 2. Go to **File** > **New** > **Project**. 3. In **All Languages**, select **C++**. In **All Platforms**, select **XBOX** or **Windows**. In **All Project Types**, select **Games**. You can also search by template name. 4. Select a template and select **OK**. ## Select a template ### PC only Start with **Direct3D 12 Desktop Game**. * Uses `WINAPI_FAMILY_DESKTOP_APP` and links against the full set of PC libraries, including `kernel32.lib` and `user32.lib`. * Includes headers and libraries for D3D12. Provides a simple swap chain, D3D device, and update or render loop. * Includes `XGameRuntime.h` and links `XGameRuntime.lib`. All GDK Gaming Runtime capabilities are ready. * XSAPI extension library available by default. * Builds against the stock x64 platform or the custom `Gaming.Desktop.x64` platform. * Creates a `MicrosoftGameConfig.mgc` file with placeholders for your Partner Center identity. ### XBOX only Start with **Direct3D 12 XBOX Game**. * Uses `WINAPI_FAMILY_GAMES` and links against `XGamePlatform.lib`. * Includes D3D12 headers ready for XBOX D3D12.x extensions. * Includes `XGameRuntime.h` and links `XGameRuntime.lib`. * XSAPI extension library available by default. * Uses the `Gaming.XBOX.XboxOne.x64` MSBuild platform with remote-debug expectations. * Creates a `MicrosoftGameConfig.mgc` file with placeholders. ### PC and XBOX (shared codebase) Start with one template, for example **Direct3D 12 Desktop Game**, and add a second build configuration targeting `Gaming.XBOX.XboxOne.x64` (or vice versa). Tailor source code with `#define` or `#ifdef` guards, or partition platform-specific code into separate DLLs: * The PC configuration uses stock D3D12. * The XBOX configuration uses D3D12.x. Switching the active configuration changes the debugger, linked libs, and other tooling settings automatically. ## Ship end-to-end on a dev kit Before you select a deeper path, work through the hands-on console walkthrough. It takes the **Direct3D 12 XBOX Game** template you created through a running loose deployment on an XBOX dev kit. From there, it produces an installable XVC. > [card] [Build and run your first console title with GDKX](https://docs.xbox.com/home/build-first-title/first-console-title-walkthrough.md) > > 14-step tutorial: pin the GDK edition, add DirectXTK12, build for XBOX Series X|S consoles, deploy to a dev kit, diagnose launch failures, and produce an installable XVC. ## Next steps You have a project building. Select the curated path that matches what you're shipping. The guide points you to the deeper docs (Build, Services, Optimize, Publishing, and API References) you need next. > [card] [Porting](https://docs.xbox.com/paths/porting/overview.md) > > Port a shipped title from another platform. > [card] [XBOX Play Anywhere](https://docs.xbox.com/paths/play-anywhere/overview.md) > > One purchase, PC and console. Shared saves. > [card] [XBOX Series X|S consoles](https://docs.xbox.com/paths/series-xs/overview.md) > > Console-first: Quick Resume, DirectStorage, and Smart Delivery. > [card] [Windows and ROG XBOX Ally](https://docs.xbox.com/paths/windows/overview.md) > > Ship on Windows PC and handhelds. > [card] [Unreal Engine](https://docs.xbox.com/paths/unreal/overview.md) > > GDK plugins and platform extensions for Unreal. > [card] [Unity](https://docs.xbox.com/paths/unity/overview.md) > > Unity integration for PC and XBOX. > [card] [Godot and community engines](https://docs.xbox.com/paths/community-engines/overview.md) > > Godot, GameMaker, and custom-engine notes. > [!TIP] > > Most titles pair the GDK with [PlayFab](https://docs.xbox.com/services/playfab/get-started.md) for identity, multiplayer, leaderboards, economy, and live-ops. You can wire it in any time after your project builds. ## See also * [Porting guides](https://docs.xbox.com/home/build-first-title/porting-guides.md): Technical index of porting topics (ERA to GDK, shaders, GameInput, and Steamworks mapping). * [MicrosoftGame.config overview](https://docs.xbox.com/build/core-features/common/game-config/MicrosoftGameConfig-Overview.md). * [Packaging your game](https://docs.xbox.com/build/core-features/common/packaging/overviews/packaging.md). ## Related topics - [Microsoft Game Development Kit (GDK) porting guides](https://docs.xbox.com/home/build-first-title/porting-guides.md) - [Build and run your first console title with GDKX](https://docs.xbox.com/home/build-first-title/first-console-title-walkthrough.md) - [Starting development of a new title using GDK project templates](https://docs.xbox.com/build/gdk-and-engines/guides/gdk-project-templates.md) - [Invites across Xbox One Software Development Kit/GDK title versions](https://docs.xbox.com/services/xbox-services/multiplayer/invites/concepts/live-multiplayer-xdkinvites.md) - [Develop](https://docs.xbox.com/services/xbox-services/develop/index.md)