Hello there,
I’ve been trying to develop a game able to work with only a game pad(as an input device), but there are some situations that I need to make some text input.
As the question asked, if I want to key in some info or chat with other players in the world with typing(to be specific, selecting characters on the screen, 'cause I want to build a keyboard/mouse-free game), are there some recommended methods?
I’ve thought of making a self-made keyboard UI(with UMG), but it’s seems not feasible, 'cause there are too many keys on the key board to be implemented. If there is ANY UE build-in function that could help?Or is there ANY other recommended alternative?
Any advice would help.
Appreciate your time.
In C++ via Slate (that means you would need to make UMG wrapper for that) you can get toggle platform virtual keyboard, it should work on mobile and console but i’m not sure about Desktop systems which don’t have centralized virtual keyboard (well maybe OS X has?), atleast they definitly not made for gamepad use
Other then that, you need to create your own keyboard in UMG. I’m not sure if you know but notice that yet, but blueprint widget is valid widget as any other build in widgets like button, text block and such and oyu can reuse it in blueprint widget. So you could create key widget and do code that will be reused in every key, make it controlabale via functions and varables, you could also make it react to shift and alt keys, this should help you out to do more with less work.
Oh! A million thanks for your reply, i’ll try the build-in function first.
If i have any further information, i’ll report here:)
I know this post is super old, but wanted to mention I spent a fair bit of time dealing with this issue myself. I did actually design a UMG virtual keyboard, and it is currently pending review in the marketplace!
It was honestly not too too difficult to make, but if anyone wants a quick plug and play solution, my keyboard should work for any platform and it’s just 1 step to implement! 
Keep an eye out for ‘Easiest Keyboard For Gamepad’ on the store in the next couple weeks.
