Qix

Qix is a 1981 puzzle arcade game developed by Randy and Sandy Pfeiffer and published in arcades by Taito America. Qix is one of a handful of games made by Taito’s American division.

The objective of Qix is to draw lines that close off parts of the rectangle to fill in a set amount of the playfield. The player controls a marker that can move around the edges of the rectangle. Holding down one of the draw buttons allows the marker to move into unclaimed territory and draw lines (“Stix”) in an attempt to create a closed shape.

The game is played on a large, empty rectangle. The Qix, an abstract stick-like entity, performs graceful but unpredictable motions within the confines of the rectangle. The player must draw lines that close off parts of the rectangle to fill in a set amount of the playfield. If the Qix touches a closed shape, the player loses a life. The player can also lose a life if they run out of time.

The game is divided into a series of levels, each of which is more challenging than the last. The player must claim 75% or more of the rectangle in order to progress to the next level. The game ends when the player loses all of their lives.

Qix was a commercial success and is considered to be a classic arcade game. The game was praised for its unique gameplay and its challenging difficulty level. Qix has been ported to a number of home platforms, including the Atari 2600, Commodore 64, and IBM PC.

Here are some of the features of Qix that made it a classic arcade game:

• Unique gameplay: Qix is a unique game that is unlike any other puzzle game. The player controls a marker that can move around the edges of the rectangle, and they must draw lines to close off parts of the rectangle. This made the game challenging and exciting, and it helped to set Qix apart from other games in the genre.
• Challenging difficulty level: Qix is a challenging game, even for experienced players. The Qix is unpredictable, the game is easy to get lost in, and the timer can be unforgiving. This made the game more rewarding for players who were able to succeed.
• Innovative gameplay mechanics: Qix introduced a number of innovative gameplay mechanics that are still used in puzzle games today. These include the ability to draw lines, the ability to close off parts of the rectangle, and the ability to fight the Qix.

Qix is a classic arcade game that is still enjoyed by players today. It is a challenging game with innovative features that helped to shape the future of puzzle games.