Required Software
Describes the additional software required to use XNA Game Studio Express.
Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition
XNA Game Studio Express leverages the Visual C# Express development environment, extending it for game development. You can install Visual C# Express from the Microsoft Express Editions Web site.
We recommend that you configure the Visual Studio 2005 Help system to use online Help content when available. Using online Help content ensures that you are getting the most recently updated information.
To configure Visual Studio Help to use online content
On the Tools menu, click Options.
The Options dialog box appears.
In the tree view control in the left pane of the Options dialog box, click the Help node beneath the Environment node.
You may need to check the Show all settings checkbox to make the Help node visible.
Click the Online node beneath the Help node.
You may need to click the plus sign next to the Help node to make the Online node visible.
In the set of options labeled When loading Help content, select Try online first, then local.
Click OK.
Note
XNA Game Studio Express is designed to work only with Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition. Other members of the Visual Studio 2005 line of products—for example, Visual Studio 2005 Professional—can coexist with XNA Game Studio Express on the same computer. However, you cannot access the functionality of XNA Game Studio Express from these other products.
Service Pack 1 for Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition
XNA Game Studio Express 1.0 Refresh requires Service Pack 1 for Visual C# Express. You can install Service Pack 1 from the same download page as Microsoft Visual C# Express.
In addition to Service Pack 1, we recommend that you install any other available updates for Visual C# Express or your operating system.
Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0
XNA Game Studio Express requires the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0. The Setup program for Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition will install the .NET Framework if it is not already installed on your computer. You can also install the .NET Framework from the Microsoft .NET Framework Developer Center.
XNA Creators Club
To develop games for the Xbox 360, you will need a membership in the XNA Creators Club. Obtain an XNA Creators Club membership from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
Additional Required Software Installed by XNA Game Studio Express Setup
The following additional required software is installed for you by the XNA Game Studio Express setup program.
DirectX Runtime
XNA Game Studio Express Setup installs a version of the DirectX runtime that is required to use the XNA Framework game API.
Microsoft Cross-Platform Audio Creation Tool
XNA Game Studio Express Setup installs the Microsoft Cross-Platform Audio Creation Tool (XACT) from the October 2006 DirectX Software Development Kit (SDK). XACT enables you to author audio content for your game. XNA Game Studio Express Setup installs a version of XACT that is compatible with the XNA Game Studio Express product. XNA Game Studio Express may not work with content authored using other versions of XACT.
You must have administrator privileges to run the Microsoft Cross-Platform Audio Creation Tool.
XACT Requires .NET Framework 1.1. If .NET Framework 1.1 is not installed, XACT launches, but using the tool causes XACT to generate the message, "Object reference not set to an instance of an object."
Not all installations of Windows Vista or Windows XP SP2 have .NET Framework 1.1 installed. Also, it is possible to have .NET Framework 2.0 installed, but not .NET Framework 1.1. To determine if you have .NET Framework 1.1, click Start on your Windows desktop, select Control Panel, and double-click on the Add or Remove Programs icon. If .NET Framework 1.1 is installed, it will be shown in the displayed list of applications.
You can install .NET Framework 1.1 from the following location.