Add blog post for the empty game project

website/content/blog/2026-09-16-new-monogame-template.md

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+---
+title: New MonoGame template feedback
+date: "2026-09-16"
+excerpt: The Foundation is seeking feedback on a new MonoGame "Empty" multi-platform game template.
+tags: [source]
+author: MonoGame Foundation
+image: /images/blog/EmptyGameTemplate.png
+ogImage: /images/blog/EmptyGameTemplate.png
+---
+
+As discussed in the [September Open Hours](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdjYjzpwj3g) monthly meeting, the MonoGame Foundation is seeking feedback on a new style of Game template for creating Game projects, aiming to overcome the many complexities that come from our existing stock of templates, namely:
+
+- No single template
+- Platforms are separate
+- Too much duplication
+- Folder structure inconsistent
+- Adding platforms is hard
+
+To this end we have developed a few options for a single unified template (or at least the default layout for a new project).
+
+In the template repository you will find two paths we have devised with different folder structures and we are asking the community to help choose the future path.
+
+## The template on GitHub
+
+The new templates are located in a single repository hosted on GitHub and is open for access to all:
+
+### [MonoGame.EmptyGame.CSharp](https://github.com/MonoGame/MonoGame.EmptyGame.CSharp)
+
+In this repository you will find:
+
+- A base README, explaining the problems today and the details/decisions behind the redevelopment of a new template.
+- A folder for Option 1 - The Single folder solution (where all projects are in a root folder)
+- A folder for Option 2 - The Multi-Folder solution (where each platform has its own dedicated folder)
+
+Both have been tested extensively to date, but we need your help to try them out and decide which is the best approach for a new / clean project default.
+
+## Installing the templates
+
+Now, `.NET` is a bit picky when it comes to testing new templates and requires them to be "installed" locally in order to allow you to create a new project from them, but this can be done safely and in isolation, so as not to interfere with your machine's setup.
+
+Details are included with each template, which is essentially as follows:
+
+1. Open up a command / terminal window in the folder for the template
+2. Use the following commands to install the template into a "hive" (or scratch area)
+
+    ```cli
+    dotnet new install . --debug:custom-hive ../mg-hive
+    ```
+
+3. Then create a new project using the template
+
+    ```cli
+    dotnet new mg-emptygame -n MyGame --Platforms gl -o ../MyGame --debug:custom-hive ../mg-hive
+    ```
+
+::: note Using parameters to create your game
+Note the parameters which allow you to select which platforms you want in your project, for full details of the parameters, use the `--help` argument
+
+    ```cli
+        dotnet new mg-emptygame --help --debug:custom-hive ../mg-hive
+    ```
+
+:::
+
+::: danger There can be only one!
+You can only have one template installed at a time with the same identity, so make sure to uninstall any you have installed before trying another, or when you are finished testing.
+
+    ```cli
+        dotnet new uninstall mg-emptygame --debug:custom-hive ../mg-hive
+    ```
+
+:::
+
+Full details are included with each template.
+
+## Feedback
+
+We have set up a [Discussions](https://github.com/MonoGame/MonoGame.EmptyGame.CSharp/discussions) area on the repository for providing feedback with a few pre-existing polls.
+
+- [Which folder structure to use?](https://github.com/MonoGame/MonoGame.EmptyGame.CSharp/discussions/1) - for helping with the folder structure of choice.
+- [CSPROJ names, with the Game name or not?](https://github.com/MonoGame/MonoGame.EmptyGame.CSharp/discussions/2) - for helping with how to "Name" individual platform projects.
+- [Issues with testing the templates?](https://github.com/MonoGame/MonoGame.EmptyGame.CSharp/discussions/3) - for any issues while testing.
+
+::: note Join existing discussions first
+ Make sure to check existing responses before creating new topics.
+:::
+
+Alternatively, raise an issue and we will respond to feedback.
+
+{% include 'partials/_blog_footer.njk' %}