diff --git a/example/src/usePlatformHook/usePlatformHook.ts b/example/src/usePlatformHook/usePlatformHook.ts
index a278cd3..c50240d 100644
--- a/example/src/usePlatformHook/usePlatformHook.ts
+++ b/example/src/usePlatformHook/usePlatformHook.ts
@@ -29,13 +29,6 @@ export const usePlatformHook = (gameManager: GameManager) => {
         gameManager.quitGame();
         return;
       }
-
-       // handle letter and punctuation typing during game
-       if (gameManager.gameStatus === "started") {
-         if (ev.key.length === 1 && /[a-zA-Z0-9.,!?;:'"()\-/& ]/.test(ev.key)) {
-           gameManager.handleTypedLetter(ev.key);
-         }
-       }
     };
 
     window.addEventListener("keydown", handler);
diff --git a/src/useGame/useGame.ts b/src/useGame/useGame.ts
index 92d0be4..707ce94 100755
--- a/src/useGame/useGame.ts
+++ b/src/useGame/useGame.ts
@@ -79,12 +79,26 @@ export function useGame(
     gameStatusManager.setGameLoopCallback(handleGameLoopTick);
   }, []);
 
-  // Initial render on mount
-  useEffect(() => {
-    renderBoardWrapped();
-  }, []);
+   // Initial render on mount
+   useEffect(() => {
+     renderBoardWrapped();
+   }, []);
 
-  const scoreManager = useScore(gameStatusManager);
+   // Handle character input for typing
+   useEffect(() => {
+     const handleCharacterInput = (ev: KeyboardEvent) => {
+       if (gameStatusManager.gameStatus === "started") {
+         if (ev.key.length === 1 && /[a-zA-Z0-9.,!?;:'"()\-/& ]/.test(ev.key)) {
+           gameStatusManager.handleTypedLetter(ev.key);
+         }
+       }
+     };
+
+     window.addEventListener("keydown", handleCharacterInput);
+     return () => window.removeEventListener("keydown", handleCharacterInput);
+   }, [gameStatusManager.gameStatus]);
+
+   const scoreManager = useScore(gameStatusManager);
 
   const gameManager: GameManager = {
     containerRef: boardManager.containerRef,