Aha! So that's why it doesn't work when people try to install Windows 8 on older versions. It is doable with a few edits and a installing a new virtual BIOS. http://communities.vmware.com/message/2142390#2142390
I just updated my main machine to Windows 8 and Workstation 8. The gestures work on the main computer but not on the guest. However, I'm not cerain if I care enough to go to 9 to get it, and since Workstation 8 doesn't support gestures anyway...I could retro to 6.5.4...the snag I will probably run into a few places is the newer VMs. Interesting. I need to think about that. What I'll pay for 9 just went down some more. LOL! Actually, I like supporting VMware but they do need to have upgrades that are actually improvements and not bloat, and the pricing needs to reflect the value gained. I don't know from experience how good or bad 9 is. I do know that 8 was not a lot of fun at first and I had to play with it to get it to start up and shut down right.
TTYL