[v0.8.2] Typist.pk3: Type to shoot

[m8f]

Typist.pk3 turns FPS games into typing exercises.

How to play

The default game mode is Exploration. It is like normal game play, except when you find enemies. When there are enemies, the game switches to Combat mode. In Combat mode, instead of aiming and firing, you type. What to type is displayed on screen. When what you type matches with an enemy, Typist.pk3 aims and fires for you. The match is checked when you press Space or Enter key, and there is an option to match immediately. If matching with Space or Enter is chosen, Space or Enter can be held to fire continuously. Press Ctrl-Backspace to erase all input.

The Combat mode ends automatically when there are no enemies, or can be disabled manually with Esc key. Disabling the Combat mode manually locks the game into Exploration mode. The automatic mode switching can be enabled back with a key (configured in Controls section).

To accommodate the slower pace of the game, the game is automatically changed:

• enemies move slower
• weapons damage is increased
• projectiles that fly towards the player move slower
• the player cannot die, only lose health only down to 1 point (can be disabled)

Features

• several predefined lessons: 1000 English words, random characters (configurable), arithmetic operations, custom words (a text file named `typist_custom_text.txt` with your words can be loaded together with Typist.pk3)
• "Pass-through" command (~/pass~ by default): after you enter this command, the following keyboard key acts like in normal game, so you can switch weapons, move and do other actions while remaining in Combat mode
• scoring, with high scores table
• options to enable infinite ammo, to disable enemy infighting, and to configure the HUD
• several sound themes for Typist.pk3 events (can be turned off)
• configurable colors: copy `tt_colors.zs`, edit values, and load it together with Typist.pk3
• multiplayer

Key setup

Typist.pk3 doesn't require any special key setup. However, for smoother experience, it may be worth playing keyboard-only with the following assigned keys. This way, you'll waste no time switching from mouse to keyboard and back, and your fingers are almost at the right typing position.

• E - move forward
• S - strafe left
• D - move backward
• F - strafe right
• I - center view
• J - turn left
• K - turn around
• L - turn right

Compatibility

Typist.pk3 isn't coded specifically for any game, so there is a chance it is compatible with many GZDoom/UZDoom mods and games.

• Typist.pk3 probably won't play well with mods and games which rely on melee combat, because Typist.pk3 will only aim and fire, not move.
• Actors that are normally friendly, but changed their friendliness by scripts, don't count as targets.
• Guncaster and Guncaster Vindicated are not compatible with Typist.pk3. Reason: Guncaster reads player input directly from player, so weapon firing cannot be emulated like for other mods. Guncaster support cannot be added without modifications in Guncaster or GZDoom.

Download

Typist.pk3 is a part of Doom Toolbox.

[Jarewill]

This is actually pretty nice.
Thankfully the pistol deals a lot of damage, otherwise it would be painful.
And the imp fireballs also move slowly, allowing the player to avoid them while battling the awkward gameplay.
Though, was the player supposed to have Buddha turned on? (the single non removable hit point?)
And the plasma rifle fires slowly, one ball at a time.

[m8f]

Buddha - yes, it's intentional. Otherwise, the player would be overwhelmed by unusually high number of deaths. The point of Typist is typing, not survival
Plasma - not intentional. Will be fixed in future versions. Thanks for noticing this!

[dard22]

"They a words, letters without mercy. But you, you are a worse. Rip and type, until it is done"

But seriously, I might play with this in all mods and maps since my typing skill is very bad. And here some questions:

1.Why no one can kill me? Health just drops to 1.

2.Any plans for others languages support?

3.Would be nice to change the enemy's reaction for more time to type against hitscaners.

[GamingMarine]

This is pretty cool! Reminds me a lot of The Typing of the Dead.

[UnbornDecay25]

"THE TYPANG. OF... DA BED!"

No seriously I've been waiting for a TOTD style game for too long after Overkill became unreliable. This is fcking awesome!!

[m8f]

1.Why no one can kill me? Health just drops to 1.
2.Any plans for others languages support?
3.Would be nice to change the enemy's reaction for more time to type against hitscaners.

1. That's intentional so the players won't flip over for dying on every corner
2. Yep.
3. I'll see what I can do, but no promises.

This is pretty cool! Reminds me a lot of The Typing of the Dead.

Bingo! This is the direct inspiration: https://youtu.be/iamxvTe9Z5g

Thanks!

[UnbornDecay25]

So I just played through a good deal, and I do have to agree, the thing that made Typing of The Dead awesome was it was a horror game... kinda. So not being able to die, is kinda lackluster. The option at least would be nice. Perhaps you could implement a system that enemies cannot damage you if you cant see them I.E. they are not in your view.

But I have my eye on this

[m8f]

Noted, the ability to die will be added in the next update.

[ZikShadow]

A possible alternative, a score kind of deal with the health. Something like 100HP having the highest multiplier everytime you kill something and 1 having the least, encouraging players to do their best if they want the highest numbers but not getting them frustrated due to not being able to do complex dodges and stuff. Though I guess you have to get a score implementation done in the first place to possibly do any of that. Just throwing ideas for now, I suppose.

[dard22]

Tried with Doomreal and some of the weapons don't shoot. Guess that same deal like in Guncaster.

[dard22]

A possible alternative, a score kind of deal with the health. Something like 100HP having the highest multiplier everytime you kill something and 1 having the least, encouraging players to do their best if they want the highest numbers but not getting them frustrated due to not being able to do complex dodges and stuff. Though I guess you have to get a score implementation done in the first place to possibly do any of that. Just throwing ideas for now, I suppose.

It could use a combo with ranking system like in DemonSteel or in Typing of the Dead, since mod inspired by it.

[Zhs2]

My suggestion for helping the player manage health along with their typing would be to apply timefreeze in combat mode, with the length of the freeze based on the number of monsters and some optional difficulty modifier. Or perhaps slow-mo, of which the speed could be varied by difficulty.

[NotSoHazy]

[Bezhael]

I run GZDoom version 4.1.3 but it says that only version 3.7.2 is supported. Do I really have to downgrade to that version to play this?