Type Throttle

main menu
setting up timer and target wpm
game over scene
race scene

Inspiration

Online games like TypeRacer have always been a fun way to test typing skills, but I wanted to take things up a notch. The idea of merging typing with the thrill of a car race seemed like the perfect combo. Instead of just seeing numbers or bars move, why not visualize your progress with roaring engines, dynamic racetracks, and the rush of a race? That's how Type Throttle was born—a game where your words fuel your speed!

What it does

Type Throttle isn’t just a typing game—it’s an adrenaline-pumping race against the clock and your opponent. Players type words that appear on the screen, and their cars accelerate based on speed and accuracy. But there's a twist: distance also plays a vital role in determining the winner. It’s fast-paced, competitive, and brings the fun of typing games to life with sleek cars and vibrant 3D environments. Whether you're a casual gamer or a typing maestro, this game keeps you on your toes!

How I built it

Building this game was an exciting journey that started with Unity. Unity's powerful 3D engine made it possible to bring this vision to life, from designing the racetrack to animating the cars. The WebGL build was a key focus to make the game accessible in browsers, allowing anyone to jump in and play without downloads. Every element, from the typing logic to the countdown timer, was crafted to ensure a seamless and engaging experience.

Challenges I ran into

Of course, no project comes without its fair share of bumps in the road. Optimization for WebGL builds was a significant challenge—ensuring smooth gameplay on the web while maintaining good visuals wasn’t easy. That’s where Amazon Q came to the rescue, offering tips to improve performance. Hosting the game was another tricky part. WebGL builds can be a pain to deploy, but thanks to Q's suggestion, Amazon S3 became the perfect hosting solution.

Accomplishments that I am proud of

Turning a simple idea—a typing game—into a fully interactive 3D experience is a huge milestone. Starting with a basic 2D concept and evolving it into a game where players can feel the thrill of racing is something I’m incredibly proud of. Seeing it all come together, from the typing mechanics to the polished gameplay, feels like a victory lap in itself.

What I learned

This project taught me so much beyond just coding:

I learned the nitty-gritty of how words-per-minute (WPM) is calculated and incorporated it into a real-time game.
WebGL optimization was a crash course in itself—balancing performance and visuals for the browser took effort, but it was worth it.
I also gained valuable insights into hosting solutions like S3, ensuring that WebGL builds are not only functional but also accessible to players worldwide.

What's next for Type Throttle

This is just the starting line for Type Throttle. Here’s what’s next on the roadmap:

An adaptive bot that learns from the player's skill level, making races more challenging and engaging.
Multiplayer mode, where players can race against each other online, adding a whole new level of competition.
Leveraging Amazon Bedrock for dynamic word generation with respect to WPM.
New racetracks, game modes, and maybe even some flashy car customization options to keep players coming back for more. The sky’s the limit!