Hey folks,
MORSE now has support for various telegraph keys such as Iambic, Sideswipers and Semi-auto keys!
This means the game can be played in a variety of new ways that reflect different inputs of various telegraphs or you can you one further and integrate telegraph keys into your setup! Here is me operating the "Sideswiper" mode with an Iambic key.
Here are the different types:
+ Straight Key - The classic, the intended way to play MORSE. Single input, hold for dot, tap for dash.
+ Iambic Key - A dual paddle, used by a lot of modern telegraphists. Tap one paddle for dash, tap the other for dot. Squeeze for both.
+ Sideswiper - A single paddle with an unusual input, move your hand back and forth to tap either side of the paddle to enter alternating dots and dashes. Designed to lower risk of glass arm.
+ Semi-Automatic - A single paddle, dots on one side, dashes on the other. Holding the key on the dot side will output a constant feed of dots, dashes are entered with tapping.
I should be clear that whilst getting to wire up a real telegraph with the game is certainly appealing, it isn't a requirement. Each of these alternate control schemes can be operated with a mouse, keyboard or configuration of inputs on the Steamdeck.
Having said that, I'm so stoked for people to give this a whirl, curious to see how people adapt their desktops/games controllers to operate the game and the variety of telegraphs people use. At some point I'll be doing a stream of the game with the various telegraphs, stay tuned for that!
I've also created a dedicated menu where the player can pick and choose between different types of
telegraphs and set the difficulty, I'm very happy with how it looks.
[img width=648 height=376]https://i.imgur.com/u73Add1.gif
The emblem on the right used for the difficulty is an adaption of the traditional Royal Navy Emblem for telegraphists during WW1.
Progress wise, I'm generally reaching a point where there's not much more to do before just putting the demo out for people to try. I'll be trying to make the demo available at least a week before Next Fest for some last minute playtesting so stay tuned for that!
More updates soon, .-