GestureWorks Gameplay Lets You Make Touch Controls for PC Games: DIY Mobile Ports

The touch-friendly interface of Windows 8 led to the rise of portable computers with touchscreens. Those that run Windows 8 often have decent specs, enough to run modern PC games. The problem is that almost none of these games are optimized for touchscreens. GestureWorks wants to help solve that problem with Gameplay, a Windows 8 app that lets you make virtual controllers for PC games.

Yep, that’s Skyrim on a touchscreen. GestureWorks Gameplay has a simple drag and drop interface. You can make d-pads, joysticks and buttons of different sizes and colors, then map them to mouse buttons or keyboard keys. It also lets you map gestures, so you don’t have to fill up your screen with buttons.

As shown in the video, another convenient feature of GestureWorks Gameplay is that you can share controllers with other people. This means you may not even have to create a virtual gamepad; just download someone else’s configuration and you’re good to go.

Penny Arcade’s Mike Krahulik loves this app and uses it on his Surface Pro. I’d rather use physical controllers to play games, but as an iPad owner I know how convenient it is to play games on the go or in bed. GestureWorks Gameplay seems like a decent compromise for Windows 8 gamers. The app will launch on November of this year, but you can try and enter the open beta by registering on its website.

[via Engadget]

via Technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2013/10/17/gestureworks-gameplay-touch-controls/