Andrew Lock offers a step-by-step introduction to MonoGame, explaining its XNA roots, .NET-based setup, essential tools, and sample project structure for modern cross-platform game development.

Creating your first sample game with MonoGame

By Andrew Lock

Introduction

This post introduces the MonoGame framework—an open-source implementation of the Microsoft XNA 4.0 API—targeted at .NET developers aiming to build cross-platform games. You’ll discover the history of XNA and MonoGame, setup requirements, and how to scaffold a sample project.

Background: A Brief History of Microsoft XNA and MonoGame

  • Microsoft XNA: Released in 2006 to simplify game development on Windows and Xbox 360, providing lower-level building blocks for games, content pipelines, and cross-platform possibilities.
  • Open-Source Evolution: Community-led projects like Mono.XNA and SilverSprite emerged to extend XNA across platforms. XNA.Touch and later MonoGame further broadened reach to mobile and consoles.
  • MonoGame: Launched in 2011, MonoGame has evolved to target Windows, Mac, Linux, current-generation consoles, and leverages OpenGL/DirectX.

Getting Started with MonoGame

Prerequisites

  • .NET 8 SDK or newer

  • Install MonoGame templates via CLI:

    dotnet new install MonoGame.Templates.CSharp
  • Templates include options for 2D/3D games, various platforms (Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS), and content pipeline extensions.

IDE Support

  • Works with Visual Studio, VS Code, and JetBrains Rider

Project Setup: Sample Game

  1. Create Solution with new .slnx Format

    dotnet new sln
dotnet sln migrate
rm *.sln

  2. Add MonoGame Cross-Platform Project

    dotnet new mgdesktopgl --output MyGame
dotnet sln add ./MyGame/
  3. Examine Project Structure
    • Target is .NET 8
    • NuGet references:
      • MonoGame.Framework.DesktopGL: Main runtime for DesktopGL
      • MonoGame.Content.Builder.Task: MSBuild integration for processing game assets
    • Embedded resources: Icons, graphics
    • Custom MSBuild target RestoreDotnetTools ensures MonoGame tools (MGCB) are available
  4. MonoGame Tools in dotnet-tools.json
    • dotnet-mgcb (CLI content builder)
    • dotnet-mgcb-editor (graphical content pipeline editor)
    • Platform-specific editor binaries

Core App Code: Minimal MonoGame Example

  • Program.cs runs the main game loop:

    using var game = new MyGame.Game1();
game.Run();

  • Game1.cs sets up graphics device, sprite batch, and core override methods:

    • Initialize(), LoadContent(), Update(), Draw()
    • Responds to Escape key or Back button to exit
    • Fills the screen with Cornflower Blue as the default background

Running the Sample

  • Build and run with dotnet run or F5 in your IDE
  • The app displays a blue screen—basic, but serves as a clean project foundation

The default MonoGame sample 'game'

Summary

  • MonoGame enables .NET developers to build cross-platform games using modern tools.
  • Setup requires installing templates, creating new projects, and integrating essential NuGet packages.
  • The sample demonstrates the absolute basics—serving as a launchpad for more advanced game features, custom content, and porting older XNA projects.

For more in-depth tutorials, visit the MonoGame documentation.

This post appeared first on “Andrew Lock’s Blog”. Read the entire article here