Tips, Tricks and hints for getting set up and running with MonoGame 3.8 from the command-line.

1. Getting started with
MonoGame using the
Command-Line
DARKSIDE OF MONOGAME
SIMON JACKSON
AUTHOR AND MICROSOFT MVP
@SIMONDARKSIDEJ

2. New for MonoGame 3.8 - .NET Core support
• MonoGame 3.8 changes the way
MonoGame is deployed.
• New NuGet by default supported
projects, no installer needed.
• Templates are now deployed by
Nuget.
• Plugs right in with your favourite
slimline coding solution (e.g.VSCode).
• MonoGame just got way cooler.

3. MonoGame project templates
• Requires the .NETCore SDK - https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download
• Project templates installed from the command-line
• Simply use the “dotnet” command below to install the current templates
*Check the online documentation for installing “Development” builds
https://docs.monogame.net/articles/getting_started/getting_started.html

4. MonoGame Content Builder Editor (MGCB)
• Installing the MCGB-Editor is just two
simple Command-Line Commands
• One to Install the tool and one to register
the MGCB Editor with your operating
system

5. Creating a new project
STEPS NEEDED TO GET GOING

6. CLI style development
• Create new folder
• Open Command Prompt /
Terminal window in folder
• Dotnet new
• Open Code Editor
• Use MGCB-Editor to edit
content project
Templates available
Platform Template ID
WindowsDX mgwindowsdx
DesktopGL mgdesktopgl
Windows Universal mguwpcore (core app, no xaml)
mguwpxaml (xaml app)
Android mgandroid
iOS mgios
NetStandard
Library
mgnetstandard
Pipeline Extension mgpipeline
Shared Library mgshared

7. Other considerations

8. Other considerations building with
MonoGame
• Plan your content
If targeting multiple platforms, try to use a
single shared content project to reduce
overhead
Add additional “platform specific” content
projects only when required
• Market early
It’s essential to build up good relations with
each market store. Almost never too early to
“get out in front”
• Test often
Some platforms will require more testing
than others, plan to test deployment and not
just gameplay. Use test tools where possible.

9. Thanks for watching
DARKSIDE OF MONOGAME
SIMON JACKSON
AUTHOR AND MICROSOFT MVP
@SIMONDARKSIDEJ