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# Create a Face-Controlled Gamepad Profile

You need a working webcam and a game or app that accepts gamepad input. Face gestures work well for discrete actions such as buttons, while head movement can provide continuous stick control.

## Create the profile from a template

1. Open **Settings** > **General**.
2. Under **Webcam**, select the camera you want PlayAbility to use.
3. Open **Profiles**.
4. Select **Create your first profile** or **Add a new profile**.
5. On **Select a base template**, choose **Head and Face to Gamepad**.
6. Select **Use this template**.

PlayAbility loads the profile and opens its included mappings in **Mapping**. Keep the mappings that suit you, edit their triggers, and remove or replace the ones you do not need.

## Map a face gesture to a gamepad button

1. In **Mapping**, select **Add actions**.
2. Open **Gamepad** and select a button such as **A Button**.
3. Select **Add**.
4. On the new action row, select **Select a trigger**.
5. Select **Create a new trigger +**.
6. Under **How do you want to control it?**, select **Face Gestures**.
7. Browse **Mouth**, **Brows**, and **Eyes**, then select a gesture you can make comfortably and repeatably.
8. Set the **Sensitivity Threshold** so the gesture activates intentionally but stays inactive at rest.
9. If needed, adjust **Detection Delay**, **Trigger when below threshold**, or **Action Mode**.
10. Select **Save**.

Useful starting gestures include a smile, raised inner brows, or an open jaw, but the best choices depend on which gestures are distinct and comfortable for you. Use **Face Tester** to compare their live scores before assigning important controls.

## Map head movement to a gamepad stick

1. Select **Add actions** in **Mapping**.
2. Under **Gamepad**, add the horizontal and vertical axes for the stick you want to control.
3. Select **Select a trigger** on the horizontal axis action.
4. Create a **Head Motion** trigger and select **Yaw** for left-and-right head turning.
5. Adjust the angle limits and deadzone, invert the axis if needed, then select **Save**.
6. Create a **Head Motion** trigger for the vertical axis and select **Pitch** for up-and-down head movement.
7. Adjust its range, deadzone, and direction, then select **Save**.
8. Sit in a comfortable neutral position and select **Calibrate head** or use **Center HeadStick** in the trigger settings.

**Roll** can use a side-to-side head tilt, and **Lean** can use forward-and-back movement. Choose the axes that require the least effort and do not interfere with your face gestures.

## Verify the profile

1. Start **Face Detection** beside the webcam preview.
2. Make sure **Main Output** is enabled.
3. Open **Profiles** and confirm this profile says **Current profile**.
4. Watch PlayAbility's live gamepad feedback while making each gesture and moving your head.
5. Open the target game or app and confirm that it receives the same controls.
6. Add or tune one mapping at a time until the essential controls are reliable.

## Troubleshooting and limitations

### Face gestures and head movement do not respond

Confirm **Face Detection** is running, the intended webcam is selected under **Settings** > **General**, and Windows has granted camera permission. Improve front lighting and keep your face visible in the preview.

### A gesture activates while your face is resting

Raise its **Sensitivity Threshold**, choose a more distinct gesture, add a short **Detection Delay**, or enable **Require facing camera** under **Settings** > **Advanced** if looking away causes unwanted activations.

### A gesture is difficult to activate

Lower its threshold and compare its resting and active values in **Face Tester**. Avoid gestures that require strain or produce nearly the same score at rest and when intentional.

### A stick drifts or reaches full movement too quickly

Recenter your head, calibrate again, and increase the deadzone. Adjust the minimum and maximum angle limits to set how much movement reaches full stick deflection.

### PlayAbility responds but the game does not

Confirm **Main Output** is enabled and test PlayAbility's live gamepad feedback first. Some games only detect a controller at launch, may select a different controller, or may not accept virtual gamepad input.

### Face tracking changes when lighting or posture changes

Camera angle, lighting, distance, and seating position affect tracking. Calibrate again after moving the camera or changing posture, and retest important gestures before playing.

## Related articles

- [Use Face Gestures as Controls](https://help.playability.gg/en/article/use-face-gestures-as-controls-1oua6g4/)
- [Find Reliable Face Gestures with Face Tester](https://help.playability.gg/en/article/find-reliable-face-gestures-with-face-tester-1geknm/)
- [Map Inputs to Virtual Gamepad Actions](https://help.playability.gg/en/article/map-inputs-to-virtual-gamepad-actions-dr2uxf/)
- [Create Your First Profile in PlayAbility](https://help.playability.gg/en/article/create-your-first-profile-in-playability-18kxz16/)