{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/keyboard--family-absence","type":"mechanic","id":"keyboard--family-absence","lang":"en","title":"Inactivity, forbidden input and input costs","summary":"The absence of a key press also has consequences. In Crypt of the NecroDancer missing a musical beat does not stop enemy movement.","updatedAt":"2026-10-22","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/keyboard--family-absence/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/keyboard--family-absence.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/keyboard--family-absence.md","aliases":["Inactivity and input constraints"],"tags":["Physical keyboard interactions","Rule"],"sourceIds":["source-d016f535d3996d45"],"sources":[{"id":"source-d016f535d3996d45","title":"Crypt of the NecroDancer","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/247080/","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"What matters is the absence of events, the validity of the keys, and the cost of the action."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Variants and applications\n\n<a id=\"family-absence-variants\"></a>\n\n- Waiting without entering. Action: Failure to press during the interval triggers or maintains the effect. Application: Freeze in front of the predator, allow the device to cool, wait for the character to respond. Conditions: Waiting during active play must be distinguished from losing focus. Equipment: Regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k097\"></a>\n- Complete letting go. Action: It is required that all keys taken into account be released. Application: Reset the mechanism, go through the silent phase, break all control circuits. Conditions: The program checks for the release of keys, and not the lifting of hands from the surface. Equipment: Regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k098\"></a>\n- Prohibited action. Action: A certain signal cannot be pressed or specific keys are temporarily prohibited. Application: Go/no-go task, trap with false clues, safe passage of signals. Conditions: It is important to clearly indicate the beginning and end of the ban. Equipment: A regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k099\"></a>\n- Limited set of keys. Action: The player solves the problem using only the available subset of input. Application: Panel breakdown, one-button mode, puzzle with missing commands. Conditions: This is a software limitation that can be changed according to the rules. Equipment: Regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k100\"></a>\n- Click budget. Action: Each action consumes the total supply; the task requires savings. Application: Minimize commands to the robot, send a short message, complete the level in several inputs. Conditions: Specify whether physical events, received commands or symbols are counted. Equipment: Regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k101\"></a>\n- Reloading a single key. Action: After use, a specific key is temporarily unavailable. Application: Cooling runes, limited tools, distribution of attacks between fingers. Conditions: Display availability; the physical key continues to work for the OS. Hardware: Regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k102\"></a>\n- Wear and restoration. Action: Use reduces the resource of the assigned key or group; rest restores it. Application: Overheating panel, surviving with collapsing teams, load management. Conditions: Wear is a gaming model and does not require damage to the device. Equipment: Regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k103\"></a>\n- Limit of simultaneous activity. Action: It is allowed to hold no more or no less than a specified number of keys. Application: Limited power supply, load balancing, active switches puzzle. Conditions: The game limit must fit within the actually supported combinations. Equipment: Regular keyboard. <a id=\"variant-k104\"></a>"},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"Author's working classification for designing games and interactions. Options can overlap and combine; the list is not a generally accepted standard or proven exhaustive list. Application examples are conditional unless a specific verifiable observation is indicated nearby. Sources support individual techniques and technical limitations."}],"relations":[],"placements":[{"catalogId":"keyboard","id":"family-absence","title":"Physical keyboard interactions","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/keyboard/#family-absence","categoryIds":["section-6"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-22","title":"Inactivity and input constraints","description":"The absence of a key press also has consequences. In Crypt of the NecroDancer missing a musical beat does not stop enemy movement.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/systems-crypt-necrodancer-01.webp","width":1440,"height":810,"game":"Crypt of the NecroDancer","sourceUrl":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/247080/","originalUrl":"https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/247080/ss_bb057affa1f4ccac14d1a58e5707cd0fd66e82e7.1920x1080.jpg?t=1791916929","credit":"Brace Yourself Games / Brace Yourself Games / Klei Entertainment","rights":"© Brace Yourself Games / Brace Yourself Games / Klei Entertainment. All rights reserved.","caption":"Movement and attacks follow the musical beat","alt":"Movement and attacks follow the musical beat","markers":[{"x":50,"y":88,"label":"The lower beat bar helps time actions to the music"}]},"tips":["Explain inactivity consequences and distinguish it from window focus loss."],"examples":[{"title":"Crypt of the NecroDancer","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/247080/"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/keyboard"}}