Games can use the Cortex controller buttons however they wish, but we recommend the mappings below for the A, B, X, and Y buttons. If you are running a stock Android application that is not Cortex aware, this is also how the buttons will be mapped to the standard Android navigation buttons on the navigation bar for a typical device.
The OUYA-Everywhere API is available to access button images and text for use in your games.
Serval Default Function
A select
B back/cancel
X -
Y -
OUYA Default Function
O select
U -
Y -
A back/cancel
Please use the naming conventions below when referring to the controller buttons in help screens for your game:
A, B, X, Y
D-Pad
LS (the left joystick movement)
L1 (the left bumper)
L2 (the left trigger)
L3 (the button function of pressing the left joystick straight down)
RS
R1
R2
R3
Previous/Select (SELECT)
Power (MODE)
Foward/Start (START)
Back (BACK)
Home (HOME)
Leave at least a 10% margin between your UI elements and the edge of the screen. This will help ensure that your content is visible across a wide range of TVs and settings.
More information about safe area can be found in the content review guidelines.
For further tips and advice, read Google's Designing for TV Guide.