30 Apr 2025
Most typing games feel more like tests than something you'd choose to play for fun - but Typing Ninja is aiming to change that. Created by solo developer, Yazan Qawasmeh, who has a love for typing and roguelikes, this upcoming indie release blends fast-paced gameplay, power-ups, and even vocabulary learning into one sleek, replayable experience.
Typing has always been something that Yazan enjoyed, but when it came to games, they felt the genre was underwhelming.
“I always felt like most typing games weren’t really games - they were more like tests.”
That’s what sparked the idea for Typing Ninja - a game built from the ground up to be fun first. Think fast-paced combat, boss battles, power-ups, and multiple runs that feel different each time. It also draws inspiration from an unexpected source: old Facebook games.
“I drew some inspiration from Typing Maniac, as well as roguelike mechanics I enjoy from other genres.”
Marketing a typing game to the Steam audience turned out to be one of the hardest parts of development.
“Typing games are tough to promote on Steam, and the early wishlist growth was slow.”
On top of that, designing difficulty for a wide range of player skill levels presented its own challenge. Some players type fast and want more action; others just want a smoother learning curve.
The solution? Multiple game modes - each tailored to different speeds and skill levels. This way, players can jump in and enjoy the experience no matter their WPM.
One of the most surprising (and rewarding) moments came from Reddit.
“People asked for a way to learn new words while playing.”
That feedback led to a brand-new feature: vocabulary mode. It offers players translated word lists to help them build their vocabulary while they type, adding an unexpected educational layer to the fast-paced action.
The result is a game that’s part typing trainer, part arcade challenge, and part language learning tool - all in one.
With the release date soon approaching, Yazan is focused on polishing and preparing for launch. But that’s far from the end of the journey.
“After launch, I plan to keep updating the game based on player feedback, including adding more languages and improving the educational aspects.”
Whether you’re looking to test your typing skills in battle or just want a new way to learn vocabulary, Typing Ninja might be the most fun you’ve ever had with a keyboard.
Keep Calm and waka waka...
