PROJECT PREVIEW: THE SPEED TYPING GAME

In this chapter's game project, you will learn how to develop the Speed Typing game. The object of this game is to see how good and fast a typist the player is. The game begins by displaying a text string, which the player is then supposed to retype exactly as shown.

The player must type the string exactly. If an extra space is added between words or if a typo is made, the game calls a strike on the player. The game tests the player's typing skill using five different levels. The player gets 15 seconds to type in the text string associated with each level. To advance to the next level, the player must first successfully complete the current level. The player also gets a strike if the time runs out before the current text string is typed.

Each level is a little bit harder than the level that precedes it. The game ends when the player either successfully completes all five levels or when three strikes are accumulated. At the end of game play, the game ranks the player's skill level as beginner, intermediate, advanced, or expert. Figures 3.1 through 3.5 demonstrate the overall flow of the Speed Typing game.

Figure 3.1: The Speed Typing game begins when the player clicks on the Go button.

Figure 3.2: Players advance by typing in the required text string within the allotted amount of time.

Figure 3.3: Players who fail to type the required text in time receive a strike.

Figure 3.4: Players who make a typo when keying in the required text string receive a strike.

Figure 3.5: The player's typing skill level is analyzed and displayed at the end of game play.

By the time you have created and run this game, you'll have increased your understanding of Windows application interface design and will have had the opportunity to implement several of the graphical interface design techniques that are presented in this chapter.