A control pad displayed on a touchscreen of a touchscreen device can be used by a user to control or manipulate characters, objects, or entities within a game environment. In some embodiments, the control pad is activated and displayed at a location of the touchscreen based at least in part on a touch signal location within a defined partition of the touchscreen. In response to the touch signal being moved within the boundary of the control pad, an action or manipulation of the game environment may be performed based at least in part on the location of the touch signal relative to the control pad. In some embodiments, if the touch signal is moved outside the boundary of the control pad, the position of the control pad is adjusted such that the location of the touch signal remains on or within the boundary of the control pad.