GameInputSharp.Core 0.1.0-alpha

GameInputSharp.Core

Universal, idiomatic C# wrapper for Microsoft.GameInput. Targets .NET 8+ with optional shims for Unity, MonoGame, Godot C#, Stride, and WPF/WinUI. This is the open-core package: game and desktop input, haptics, and device callbacks.

For medical, simulation, and robotics extensions (multi-device haptic aggregation, calibration, audit logging, network latency compensation, ROS2 stubs), use the separate GameInputSharp.Enterprise package, which depends on this package.

Repository layout: This repo contains the GameInputSharp.Core project only (open source). Open GameInputSharp.Core.sln to build the library, samples, and tests. There are no Enterprise-specific files or build output in this directory. The GameInputSharp.Enterprise package is a separate, licensed product in its own repository and references this package via NuGet only. During development this package is not published to NuGet.org; after release, other developers and Enterprise will rely on NuGet for the dependency.

Compliance and redistribution

This is a third-party C# wrapper library. It requires the official Microsoft.GameInput NuGet package. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by Microsoft Corporation. Intended for Windows PC development.

• Dependency: Use only the Microsoft.GameInput NuGet package. Do not depend on the full GDK or Xbox-specific libraries.
• Redistribution: You must redistribute gameinput.dll (and any other runtime files) according to Microsoft's rules. See the Microsoft.GameInput package and documentation for current redistribution requirements.
• How the wrapper and Microsoft.GameInput relate: The developer adds the official Microsoft NuGet (or gets it automatically when adding GameInputSharp.Core). This repo and the GameInputSharp.Core package do not bundle or repackage Microsoft’s files; they only declare a dependency so NuGet pulls Microsoft.GameInput from nuget.org. See docs/DISTRIBUTION.md.

Documentation

Quick start

using GameInputSharp.Abstractions;
using GameInputSharp.Devices;

using var manager = new GameInputManager();
var devices = manager.GetDevices();
foreach (var device in devices)
{
    Console.WriteLine($"{device.DisplayName} — {device.DeviceId}");
    if (device is GamepadDevice gamepad)
        gamepad.Haptics.SetVibration(0.5f, 0.5f); // simple rumble
}

Setup

1. Add GameInputSharp.Core and Microsoft.GameInput NuGet packages to your project. The Microsoft.GameInput reference is required (we wrap that API) and must be present.
2. NuGet vs runtime: The Microsoft.GameInput NuGet supplies C++ headers and a link library for native builds; it does not ship the runtime DLL (GameInput.dll / GameInputRedist.dll). The wrapper loads the native DLL at runtime from: (1) the application directory, then (2) %SystemRoot%\System32. The runtime must be installed on the machine (e.g. inbox on newer Windows, or winget install Microsoft.GameInput, or the GameInput redist). If the DLL is present but load fails, install Visual C++ Redistributable (x64). If no compatible runtime loads, GetDevices() returns an empty list without throwing.
3. Target .NET 8+ (or use the provided Unity/MonoGame shims where applicable). The library is intended for Windows; other targets build but return no devices.

Namespaces

• GameInputSharp.Core — Low-level interop (COM/P-Invoke, device enumeration, rumble).
• GameInputSharp.Abstractions — GameInputManager, IInputDevice, IHapticEffect.
• GameInputSharp.Devices — Device factory, gamepad, keyboard, mouse, motion.
• GameInputSharp.Haptics — Basic rumble and advanced waveforms (up to 8 locations per device).

Polling vs callbacks

• Polling: Call GetCurrentGamepadState(gamepad), GetCurrentMouseState(mouse), or GetCurrentKeyboardState(keyboard, maxKeys) each frame. Use when you need continuous state (buttons, axes, keys).
• Callbacks: Subscribe to GameInputManager.DeviceCallback and call DispatchCallbacks(quotaMicroseconds) from your game loop to receive device connect/disconnect events without re-enumerating.

Samples

• GameInputSharp.Samples.Console — Device enumeration and basic gamepad rumble; run on Windows with GameInput runtime for full behavior.
• GameInputSharp.Samples.MonoGame — MonoGame game loop integration (Update/Draw with GameInputManager).
• samples/GameInputSharp.Samples.Unity/README.md — Unity integration notes and optional Input System override.

Medical / simulation samples (e.g. GameInputSharp.Samples.MedicalSim) are in the GameInputSharp.Enterprise package and repository, not in this Core repo.

Compatibility (engines and desktop)

See docs/COMPATIBILITY.md for Unity, MonoGame, Godot C#, Stride, and WPF/WinUI setup and shims.

Packaging (NuGet)

To build the NuGet package: set GeneratePackageOnBuild to true in the library project or run dotnet pack. The package includes symbols (snupkg) and is tagged for gameinput, haptics, input, windows, unity, monogame. Ensure Microsoft.GameInput and GameInput runtime redistribution are documented for your consumers.

To publish to GitHub Packages: see docs/PUBLISHING.md for PAT setup, nuget.config, and dotnet pack / dotnet nuget push steps.

License

See LICENSE (MIT). By using this library you agree to comply with Microsoft's redistribution and licensing terms for GameInput.