A Deep Dive into Touch Layouts Customization in Gamearena

Gamearena lets you take your favorite PC games anywhere, transforming your mobile device into a powerful gaming rig. We recently introduced Touch Profiles, your gateway to personalized on-screen controls. Today, we're zooming in on the heart of this system: Touch Layouts and the incredible array of buttons you can command.

Get ready to ditch generic controls and design an interface that perfectly mirrors your play style, giving you the precision and speed you need to dominate, no matter where you are.

To learn more about Touch Profiles which is in short a collection of Layouts for different modes in a game, we suggest to set it up at a game level - to know more about profile - click here 

If you're seeking a more in-depth exploration of each specific button type and its unique functionalities, we invite you to read our dedicated blog post here.

To start creating you custom touch layout follow these steps 

Getting Started

create a touch profile following instructions in this documentation - link here 

• Once you have created a profile for your game , you can either edit existing layout or add a new layout with controls 

Edit existing Layout

Click on the layout you want to edit . Set of options would open . Click on edit (pencil) to start editing your custom layout

Adding a new Layout

Each profile can have multiple layouts. Layouts are different sets of on-screen touch controls designed for various play styles or game modes. For example, you might use a Default layout for general navigation and a Combat layout for fighting scenarios.

• Single-click a layout to view its options.

• Double-click a layout to activate it (if not already active). This will make it the current control scheme for the profile.

Edit Layout

Click the Edit button (pencil icon) to open the layout editing page. This is where you can add, remove, or adjust the touch controls and game buttons for that layout.

Rename Layout

Click the Rename button to give the layout a new name. This helps organize your layouts better—especially if you have different setups for specific game mode.

Copy Layout

Use the Copy button to duplicate the selected layout. A dialog box will appear asking you to name the copy. After confirming, the new layout will be added under the same profile.

Delete Layout

Click the Delete button to permanently remove the selected layout. This is useful for cleaning up unused or outdated control schemes. Be careful—this action cannot be undone.

Touch Layout Visualization

To help you visualize how these controls can be arranged on your screen, here’s a common example of a touch layout:

• Left Side of the Screen:

  • Joystick Area: This region is dedicated to a virtual joystick, primarily used for character movement or navigation.

• Right Side of the Screen:

• Touch Area: This versatile space is designed to accommodate various interactive elements.
• Buttons: Positioned within the touch area, you can add:
  • Normal Buttons (Regular Mode): Standard press-and-release buttons for actions like jump, fire, interact, etc.
  • Normal Buttons (Toggle Mode): Buttons that switch a state on or off with each press, such as toggling sprint, crouch, or aiming down sights.
• Touch Wheel: Also on the right touch area, a circular touch-sensitive interface that can be used for selecting items from a radial menu, adjusting sensitivity, or other nuanced controls requiring circular input.

Interacting with Your Touch Layout: Editor and In-Game Features

When you're customizing a layout or playing your game, you'll find several helpful options:

• Controls at the Top of the Editing Screen:

  • Back Button: If you decide to leave the layout editing screen, clicking the Back button will present you with a dialog box. This ensures your work isn't accidentally lost, giving you options to:
    • Save: Keep all the changes you've made.
    • Discard Changes: Exit without saving your recent modifications.
    • Stay on Edit Layout: Close the dialog and continue editing.
  • Help Button: Should you need a bit of guidance, the Help button is there to provide you with useful information or tips about the layout editor.
  • Add Button: This is your gateway to adding new control elements to your layout. Clicking it allows you to introduce:
    • Buttons: Standard interactive elements, which can function in regular (press-action) or toggle (on/off) modes.
    • Touch Wheel: A circular control for nuanced inputs like selection wheels or adjustments.

Flexible Button Placement:

• Once you've added buttons or other controls to your layout, you're not limited by fixed positions. You can simply drag these elements anywhere on the screen, ensuring they are perfectly placed for your comfort and reach.

In-Game Layout Switcher:

• Adapting to different situations in your game is made easier with the Layout Switcher. While playing, you can click this feature to quickly change between your saved layouts within the current profile. This is particularly handy if you have different control schemes for various game modes (e.g., switching from a "driving" layout to an "on-foot" layout).

We hope this guide helps you get comfortable with creating and managing your Touch Layouts in Gamearena! For a deeper dive into the specific functionalities, toggle modes, advanced settings, and creative uses for each type of button and control element, we encourage you to explore our detailed article here 

Happy gaming!