The Typing of the Dead
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{{Infobox CVG
|title = The Typing of the Dead
|image = Image:TTOTD Packshot.jpeg
|developer = Smilebit
|publisher = Sega
|designer =
|engine =
|released = March 30, 2000
|genre = Action, Education
|modes = Single player, multiplayer
|ratings = ESRB: Mature (M)
ELSPA: 15+
|platforms = Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows
|media = CD-ROM (Windows)
GD-ROM (Dreamcast)
|requirements = Windows Version
Windows 95/98/ME, Pentium II 233MHz CPU, 64MB RAM, 660MB hard disk, 8MB Direct 3D compatible video card, 8x CD-ROM Drive, DirectX-compatible sound card
|input = Keyboard
}}
Image:TTOTD Screenshot.jpeg
The Typing of the Dead is an arcade game (later ported to the Sega Dreamcast and Microsoft Windows), released in 1999 based on House of the Dead 2. While the latter is a fairly standard light gun shooter, Typing replaces the gun (or mouse for home systems) with the keyboard.
The levels of the two games are close to identical, but instead of simply gunning down hordes of onrushing zombies the player has to type the word or short phrase in front of each enemy to kill it. A typing tutorial for beginners and several mini-game drills designed to improve typing skills are also included.
The Dreamcast version allows for a two-player mode with two keyboards. Players cooperate throughout the game levels, and then are graded at the end of each chapter as an added level of competition. The PC version allows for multi-player over LAN.
Despite the dark subject matter of the original, The Typing of the Dead is firmly tongue-in-cheek. The (progressively more difficult) things the player has to type are quite often weird and humourous, mêlée weapons have been replaced by things such as rubber hammers, and the guns have been replaced by keyboards powered by Dreamcasts on the characters' backs. Given sufficient typing ability, the game is widely considered good, intensive, nonsensical fun and is something of a cult classic amongst Dreamcast owners.
Phantasy Star Online and Typing of the Dead were the main games that got use out of Dreamcast keyboards along with a couple PC First-Person Shooter ports.
A sequel was released on December 22, 2004 for the PlayStation 2 in Japan, titled The Typing of the Dead: Zombie Panic.
Currently, the game's availability is extremely limited. People interested in finding a copy may end up paying unexpectedly large amounts. Unopened copies have been spotted with selling prices of as much as $150.00 .