Microsoft GDK plug ins for Unreal Engine 5.8 simplify Xbox game development on PC through streamlined workflows and direct Epic Games Launcher integration
Microsoft has unveiled its GDK plug ins for Unreal Engine 5.8, and it is an enormous change for developers to be able to build their videogames for the Xbox platform on PC. The software update is available as a direct download through the Epic Games Launcher alongside the project’s official GitHub repository as announced in a joint integration article between Microsoft and Epic Games. It means that developers can build, package and launch without having to leave the platform they normally utilize for other PC distribution channels.
The update will eliminate major workflow friction around game creators. Prior to this update, deploying a game to the MS store on PC involved using Win GDK, which was a separate platform from the target build platform. This legacy process led to added content cooks, issues with third party plugins, and incompatibilities with existing build pipelines. By incorporating these processes into the template based standard Win64 platform, the company has matched the store build pipeline to that of other PC storefronts.
The public release offers the core tools needed to publish on the Microsoft Store. The Microsoft GDK Store plugin enables developers to set up game details and create install packages in the editor project settings. The Microsoft GDK Runtime plugin enables developers to access key runtime APIs for cloud saves, selecting the user profile, and accessing system user interfaces. The online systems are handled by the Online Subsystem GDK which integrates the game to achievements, friends listing, and user presence.
Another new feature in the 5.8 release is Online Subsystem Selector. Using the online subsystem selector developers can ship 1 executable file on all PC store fronts. The subsystemselector will automatically switch over to the running store platform at runtime. Thereby removing the need to compile separate game builds for each retailer.
These tools have been thoroughly tested, Epic Games have used these tools to deploy Fortnite on PCs and to secure handheld optimized certification for the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally handheld device.
Developers interested can get started using the new tools by installing Unreal Engine 5.8, and integrating it with a supported release of the Microsoft GDK. After activating the plugin options in the editor menu, under project settings in the MS Gaming tab, players will have to select options to connect the game with the Microsoft Partner Center. For teams that already have WinGDK projects, Microsoft has provided a migration script named RunUAT MigrateWinGDK. Executing this script in a command window and providing the path to the game project file will automatically migrate the project structure to the new plugin paradigm.
More technical information was provided by the development team in a jointly presented presentation at the UnrealFest Chicago convention. The documentation and video explanations are to be published in conjunction with the new developer guides.
