Trailmakers: How to Use the Controller Virtual Cursor and Menu Snapping

Use the controller navigation introduced in 2.4

The released 2.4 update includes controller improvements through a virtual cursor. This is the system described by the earlier controller dev diary, not a requirement to switch to a mouse. The launch notes also record optimization of the Block and Blueprint Inventory and Build Slots views, which are separate from the cursor controls themselves. [1]

The builder changes include optimization of the Block and Blueprint Inventory view. Those release notes establish the shipped context for the menu-navigation instructions below. [1]

Use the left stick to point at the interface

The left stick controls the virtual cursor. The developer’s rework brings mouse and controller navigation onto a shared UI core while retaining directional navigation where the interface supports it. Start with the free-moving cursor when you need to choose a position in the block selection area; the D-pad provides the alternative selection method described next. [2]

Steps

1. Move the left stick to position the virtual cursor over the UI element you want to select. [2]

Scroll the block inventory with the right stick

The right stick handles scrolling, including in the block inventory. This lets a controller user scroll the list while leaving the left stick responsible for cursor position. Keep those two roles separate when the inventory is moving but the pointer does not appear to travel as expected. The published explanation does not assign the right stick to free cursor movement. [2]

Steps

1. Use the right stick to scroll the inventory while positioning the cursor with the left stick. [2]

Use the D-pad when directional navigation suits the menu

Pressing a D-pad direction snaps the cursor into directional navigation if the current UI supports it. The developer particularly recommends this for smaller interface elements. Free movement is still available: moving the cursor with the stick returns to cursor use. You can therefore choose the navigation style for the element in front of you rather than treating the whole menu as one fixed control mode. [2]

Steps

1. Press the D-pad for directional selection in a supported menu. Move the cursor with the stick again when you want to return to free positioning. [2]

Tune movement speed and target slowdown separately

The controller settings include virtual-cursor Sensitivity and Cursor Slowdown Multiplier. Sensitivity changes how cursor movement feels; the slowdown multiplier determines how much it slows when passing over an active UI element. Change the setting that corresponds to the behavior you want to adjust, rather than assuming both settings describe the same movement effect. No universal best numeric value is specified in the developer’s explanation. [2]

Steps

1. Adjust virtual-cursor Sensitivity for cursor movement, then use Cursor Slowdown Multiplier if you want to change its slowdown over active UI elements. [2]