Eight Bit Qix

Claim territory. Dodge the Qix. Don't stop moving. Inspired by the 1981 Taito arcade classic, Eight Bit Qix takes the core elements of the original — the dancing Qix, border-riding Sparx, the risk-reward of slow vs. fast draws — and wraps them in a tight retro package built for competitive high-score showdowns.

How to Play

You control a marker that travels along the border of the playfield. Hold a draw key and push into unclaimed territory to lay down a line (called a "stix"). Complete the line by reaching another border edge and the territory is yours.

But the Qix — an abstract, ever-shifting entity — roams the unclaimed space. If it touches your stix while you're drawing, you're dead. Sparx patrol the borders hunting you down, and if you stop drawing mid-line, a fuse ignites and burns back toward you.

Claim enough territory to meet the level threshold (default 75%) and you advance to the next level. How far can you go?

Controls

Key	Action
Arrow Keys	Move along borders
Z + Arrows	Slow draw (2x points)
X + Arrows	Fast draw (1x points)
Enter	Start Game
M	Difficulty menu (from title screen)
Esc	Return to title screen

Scoring

• Slow Draw (Z): 300 points per percent claimed
• Fast Draw (X): 150 points per percent claimed
• Score Multiplier (up to 9x): split the Qix in two by claiming the territory between them
• Level Bonus 500 points per percent above the claim threshold
• Extra Life every 50,000 points (configurable)

Risk vs. reward: slow draws earn double points but leave you exposed longer.

Difficulty Settings

Access the menu from the title screen to customize your game with 10 independent options:

• Lives - 1 to 5
• Claim Goal - 50% to 90%
• Sparx Timer - Slow, Normal, or Fast
• Starting Sparx - 2, 4, or 6
• Sparx Speed - Slow, Normal, or Fast
• Fuse Speed - Slow, Normal, or Fast
• Qix Speed - Slow, Normal, or Fast
• Twin Qix - Appears at Level 1, 2, or 3
• Extra Lives - Every 50K, 100K, or None
• Draw Speed - Normal, Faster Slow, or Faster Fast

Four presets get you started:

• Beginner - Forgiving settings to learn the ropes
• Arcade - The default balanced experience
• Showdown - 1 life, no extra lives. One mistake and it's over.
• Ruthless - 1 life, 85% claim goal, everything cranked to fast. Good luck.

About

Eight Bit Qix is the third entry in the Eight Bit series, alongside Eightbitoids and Eight Bit Invaders. Built with Love2D — all graphics and sound effects are generated procedurally with zero external assets. Quick rounds make it perfect for competitive Friday afternoon sessions.