Frequently Asked Questions

PlayAbility Adaptive Software is a Windows accessibility tool that lets you control games using facial expressions, head movements, voice commands, mouse and keyboard, gamepads and adaptive devices. It works with just a computer with a webcam and microphone and translates your inputs into standard game controls, no special hardware needed.

PlayAbility uses your webcam and microphone to detect: head movement (turn, tilt, nod, lean), 46 different facial expressions, and voice commands in 24 languages. You create mappings that connect triggers (your inputs) to actions (game outputs). For example, map a smile to the A button, or head turning to camera control. Behind the scenes, PlayAbility creates a virtual Xbox controller, so games see a standard input device. No special game support or mods required.

PlayAbility is designed for:

• Disabled gamers who need alternative inputs
• Players with limited mobility or chronic pain
• Gamers with temporary injuries
• Anyone interested in hands-free gaming
• Streamers who want to give their viewers control of the game
• Tinkerers who love customising their gaming experience
• Anyone who wants to want to use AI to control their computer via websocket and mcp servers

No. PlayAbility works with any standard webcam (built-in or external) and microphone. No proprietary or expensive hardware required.

Yes. PlayAbility includes: ready-to-use profile templates (basic arcade, racing, full gamepad, mouse control, etc.), visual configuration with no coding required, and mapping editor with clear trigger and action selection. You can start with a template and refine your setup gradually.

No. Core features work offline: face and head tracking run locally, voice recognition runs locally, and no video or audio is uploaded. Internet is only used to log you in, backup your profiles and to update the software.

Getting started takes less than 5 minutes:

1. Download PlayAbility Adaptive Software on the website
2. Connect your webcam or input device
3. Choose a profile, try it and fine tune it if needed
4. Launch your game and start playing!

Yes. PlayAbility works with any PC game that accepts controller, keyboard, or mouse input, including Steam, Epic Games, Xbox Game Pass, and emulators. No special game support or mods required.

PlayAbility runs on Windows but can control most consoles via Remote Play (PlayStation 5, Xbox) or compatible adapters (Nintendo Switch). It doesn't install directly on consoles.

Yes. PlayAbility lets you control your PC hands-free outside of games as well. You can:

• Move the mouse cursor with head movement or face gestures
• Use facial gestures (or assigned keys) to click, drag, and scroll
• Control your mouse with face gestures, keyboard presses, or gamepad inputs
• Navigate your desktop, browse the web, and use everyday applications

The hands-free mouse control feature works system-wide, not just in games.

Yes. PlayAbility creates a virtual Xbox controller and can fully replace a gamepad, keyboard, or mouse.
It can also be used alongside your existing devices, letting you combine multiple inputs into a single setup.

Absolutely! Many of our users play competitively in games like CS:GO, Rocket League, and fighting games. PlayAbility Adaptive Software is not considered cheating, it's an accessibility tool that provides alternative input methods without giving unfair advantages. The software doesn't automate gameplay or provide aim assistance; it simply translates your inputs into game controls.

Extremely accurate and responsive! PlayAbility is finely tuned to deliver smooth, precise tracking that feels natural and responsive. It works seamlessly across all game types,from casual games to competitive esports.

PlayAbility supports these trigger types:

• Face Gestures - 46 facial expressions including blinks, smiles, eyebrow raises, mouth movements. The goal is to find the few facial gestures that feel most natural and reliable for you.
• Head Motion - turn, tilt up/down, tilt side-to-side, lean forward/backward
• Head Motion Mouse - specialised head tracking for mouse cursor control with acceleration and continuous mode
• Voice Commands - spoken words or phrases in 24 languages
• Keyboard - physical keyboard keys
• Mouse Button - left, right, middle, side buttons, scroll wheel
• Mouse Motion - physical mouse movement
• Gamepad - buttons, sticks, triggers, D-pad from a physical controller
• Dwell - trigger actions when the cursor stays still

All triggers can be mixed and combined in a single profile.

PlayAbility can output:

• Gamepad Buttons - A, B, X, Y, shoulders, thumbsticks, back, start, guide
• D-Pad - up, down, left, right
• Analog Sticks - left/right stick with full analog control or digital directions
• Triggers - left and right triggers with analog pressure support
• Keyboard Keys - any key including function keys, modifiers, and key combos
• Mouse Buttons - left, right, middle click with single and double-click support
• Mouse Scroll - scroll up/down with configurable speed
• Mouse Motion - cursor control via head tracking, face gestures, keyboard and gamepad inputs
• Settings Actions - toggle outputs, calibrate head position, switch profiles, control overlays

Yes. Voice recognition supports 24 languages. You can map spoken words to any action: gamepad buttons and triggers, keyboard keys, mouse actions, and settings toggles. Voice commands work alongside face, head, and physical inputs. They use Short Press mode by default since spoken words are instant events.

Yes. The Head Motion Mouse trigger is designed specifically for cursor control. It includes:

• Auto-compensation for distance from camera
• Separate horizontal and vertical sensitivity
• Acceleration curves
• Continuous mode for 360-degree camera control in games

Full Analog means joysticks and triggers provide continuous input values from 0 to 1, rather than simple on/off states. For example, you can control gradual acceleration and braking using eyebrow movements, giving you smooth, precise control over game actions instead of binary button presses.

Yes. PlayAbility is designed to work with, not replace:

• Adaptive switches
• Joysticks
• Pedals
• Custom controllers
• The Xbox Adaptive Controller

All inputs can be merged into the unified virtual controller.

PlayAbility includes an interactive overlay with on-screen buttons and virtual joysticks. You can:

• Click or drag overlay controls to generate inputs
• Use it standalone or combined with face, head, voice, and physical inputs
• Make it click-through so inputs pass to applications behind it
• Toggle it on/off with a mapping

Yes. Customisation is central to PlayAbility. You can: map any trigger to any compatible action, use analog or digital behaviour, configure sensitivity thresholds and ranges, set action modes (default, toggle, short press, long press, double press, triple press), require multiple trigger events before firing (e.g., double blink), add detection delays to prevent accidental activation, and create multiple profiles for different games or use cases.

Action modes determine how a trigger activates an action:

• Default - active while trigger is held
• Toggle - switches between on/off with each trigger
• Short Press - sends a quick 100ms press
• Long Press - sends a 300ms press
• Double Press - sends two quick presses
• Triple Press - sends three quick presses

For scroll actions, additional modes include Single Tick and continuous scrolling with Custom Ticks.

PlayAbility supports: gamepad buttons and key combos (e.g., Ctrl + C for copy), multi-input actions by creating multiple mappings with the same trigger, toggle, short-press, and long-press modes for different input timing, and multiple trigger events requirement (e.g., require 2 blinks within 0.5 seconds).

Use the Calibrate Head Stick settings action. This sets your current head position as the neutral centre point. Use it when:

• Head tracking drifts
• You change your seating position
• You want a new comfortable neutral position

You can map this action to a voice command, keyboard key, gamepad button or face gesture for quick access.

PlayAbility is created by Valentin Squirelo, an indie maker and developer from France. He has been building accessibility projects and playful inventions since 2013. PlayAbility began in 2023 with the help of his Twitch community and remains a community-driven project, not a corporate or venture-backed product.

Yes. PlayAbility is completely free to download and use with full access to all features and one profile included. To unlock unlimited profiles and support the project, you can buy the Pro Edition.

PlayAbility Pro is a one-time purchase that unlocks: unlimited profile creation and saves. It does not unlock additional features. The Pro upgrade is for users who need multiple profiles for different games or setups.

No. PlayAbility Pro is a one-time lifetime purchase, not a subscription. The free version remains fully usable forever.

You are allowed to use PlayAbility on all your own computers.

Install PlayAbility on your new PC and continue using it. There is no intent to punish users for upgrading or changing devices.

No:

• Webcam processing happens locally on your device
• No video or audio is stored
• No gameplay footage is uploaded

Privacy is respected by design.

PlayAbility uses computer vision to detect facial landmarks and movements. It does not:

• Play games for you
• Automate gameplay
• Control games autonomously

You remain fully in control at all times.

Yes, with supervision. Consider:

• Keeping sessions short
• Monitoring comfort and fatigue
• Tuning settings for gentle movements
• Using detection delays to prevent accidental triggers

PlayAbility is created by Valentin Squirelo, an indie maker and developer from France. Valentin has been building accessibility projects and playful inventions since 2013. Development began in 2023 with help from his Twitch community, fo, community-driven origins. PlayAbility is not a corporate or venture-driven product.

Yes. PlayAbility is actively developed and users are welcome to:

• Test new features
• Share feedback
• Help shape future updates

We develop all features based on your feedback and requests, feel free to join the Discord community or send us a message

You can access:

• Documentation and guides
• Community support on Discord
• Direct chat or email.

You can:

• Share feedback directly in the app through the helpdesk chat
• Suggest features or report bugs
• Join discussions on Discord
• Help shape the roadmap

Community input directly build PlayAbility.

Streamers can let their chat join the fun. PlayAbility offers Twitch chat integration (via Twitchat.fr) allowing viewers to trigger inputs through chat commands. Use it for crowd-play or community-assisted gameplay.