> ## 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.

# 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](https://docs.xbox.com/paths/unreal/overview.md) or [Unity](https://docs.xbox.com/paths/unity/overview.md) — they have dedicated tooling that saves you a lot of work.

## Before you start

Make sure the following are in place. If anything is missing, go back to the [Home](https://docs.xbox.com/index.md) guided path.

* **ID\@XBOX onboarding complete** — see [ID@XBOX onboarding](https://docs.xbox.com/home/onboarding.md).
* **Dev PC ready** — see [Setup & install](https://docs.xbox.com/home/setup-install/get-started.md).
* **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](https://docs.xbox.com/build/gdk-and-engines/godot.md)
  * GameMaker → [GDK extension](https://docs.xbox.com/build/gdk-and-engines/gamemaker.md)
  * Custom C/C++ → [Custom engine integration](https://docs.xbox.com/build/gdk-and-engines/custom-engine.md)
* **Partner Center product** with the appropriate device rows checked.

## Build & develop

> [card] [GDK and engines](https://docs.xbox.com/build/gdk-and-engines/gdk-and-engines.md)
>
> How the GDK plugs into Godot, GameMaker, and custom engines.

> [card] [Godot integration](https://docs.xbox.com/build/gdk-and-engines/godot.md)
>
> Use the XBOX Godot sample to integrate the GDK, XBOX services, and PlayFab.

> [card] [GameMaker integration](https://docs.xbox.com/build/gdk-and-engines/gamemaker.md)
>
> Prepare a GameMaker Studio 2 game with the GDK Extension.

> [card] [Custom engine integration](https://docs.xbox.com/build/gdk-and-engines/custom-engine.md)
>
> Bind GDK APIs from a proprietary C/C++ engine.

> [card] [Packaging](https://docs.xbox.com/build/core-features/common/packaging/overviews/packaging.md)
>
> Package your title for XBOX and Windows.

> [card] [Error handling](https://docs.xbox.com/build/core-features/common/async/index.md)
>
> Handle HRESULT, XError, and service errors across the GDK.

## Add services

> [card] [XBOX Services overview](https://docs.xbox.com/services/xbox-services/index.md)
>
> Identity, achievements, multiplayer, cloud saves.

> [card] [PlayFab overview](https://docs.xbox.com/services/playfab/get-started/what-is-playfab.md)
>
> Player data, live-ops, and backend services.

> [card] [XSAPI C reference](https://docs.xbox.com/reference/system/gc-reference-system-toc.md)
>
> Call XBOX Services from native code.

> [card] [Custom engine integration](https://docs.xbox.com/build/gdk-and-engines/custom-engine.md)
>
> Direct GDK integration patterns.

## Publish

> [card] [Publishing overview](https://docs.xbox.com/publishing/game-publishing/overview.md)
>
> End-to-end submission workflow.

> [card] [XBOX Requirements](https://docs.xbox.com/publishing/certification/xbox-requirements.md)
>
> XR compliance.

> [card] [Certification](https://docs.xbox.com/publishing/certification/overview.md)
>
> Cert process.

> [card] [Store listing](https://docs.xbox.com/publishing/game-publishing/overview.md)
>
> Product page setup.

> [card] [Pricing](https://docs.xbox.com/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/availability/sale-pricing.md)
>
> Pricing.

> [card] [Ratings](https://docs.xbox.com/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/age-ratings.md)
>
> Age ratings.

## Optimize & reference

> [card] [Optimize](https://docs.xbox.com/tools/index.md)
>
> Profilers, diagnostics, and performance tools.

> [card] [API References](https://docs.xbox.com/reference/system/gc-reference-system-toc.md)
>
> Gaming Runtime, XBOX Services, and platform APIs.


## Related topics

- [General porting guides](https://docs.xbox.com/paths/porting/guides.md)
- [Porting overview](https://docs.xbox.com/paths/porting/overview.md)
- [Get started with Godot for XBOX development](https://docs.xbox.com/build/gdk-and-engines/godot.md)
- [XBOX Godot Sample v0.2.0 Release](https://docs.xbox.com/build/gdk-and-engines/godot-release-notes/godot-release-notes-0-2-0.md)
- [XBOX Godot Sample v0.3.0 Release](https://docs.xbox.com/build/gdk-and-engines/godot-release-notes/godot-release-notes-0-3-0.md)