
I am a fan of this multiplayer territory battle game called Splix io. Every time you venture out of your safety zone, there will always be opportunities and threats to your survival. Your character is represented as a color-coded line drawn on a grid. When you go beyond the boundaries of your territory (or "land"), you can find additional unclaimed land ("blocks") and encircle them. Then, you have to navigate back to your territory, and when you do, you claim all the newly found blocks. It's relatively easy to learn and understand, however the pressure mounts rapidly since your trail is visible when you're away from your territory. One good loop will add significant territory to your existing area, while one bad turn can end your entire run.
Primary Controls
- Move: W, A, S, D or ARROW KEYS
Overview of the Game
Splix io is a multiplayer territory battle game based upon a grid. Each player wants to expand his/her area of influence by capturing adjacent squares. Once you have moved out of your territory, you are vulnerable and subject to being defeated by other players. However, once you have returned to your territory and connected with your previous trail, you have successfully added new squares to your territory.
While this basic principle seems simple enough, the resulting risk/reward dynamic is quite compelling. Smaller captures provide less risk due to the fact that you can quickly return to your territory and complete your capture. However, smaller captures also result in slower territorial gains. Larger captures may result in greater territorial gains, however they require longer periods of vulnerability to an opponent's potential attacks. If an opponent comes into contact with your trail prior to your ability to connect with your territory, your run is over.
As the field of opponents grows, the strategy employed during gameplay increases. In addition to monitoring potential opponents, you should monitor bordering areas of your opponents' territories as well. Additionally, you will need to determine whether to aggressively pursue an opponent's exposed trail. While some runs are most successful using slow and methodical expansion, aggressive cuts at an opponent's exposed trail may prove to be beneficial.
Other Important Components of Gameplay
- Claim new squares of territory by creating paths around empty or opposing squares and connecting those new squares back to your safe territory.
- Protect yourself from other players when you leave your safe territory.
- Compete against other players in a fast-paced multiplayer online arena.
- Take territory from competing players and defend your own territory.
- Use simple grid movement with deeper strategies involved each time you move.
- Attempt to climb the leader board through longevity and control of more squares.
Tips for New Players
- Play smaller loops initially to allow for a quicker return to your territory before opponents can come into contact with your trail.
- Initially, remain within proximity of your safe zone until you understand how opposing players are able to move around the screen.
- Do not rush towards the middle of the screen immediately after starting the game. Crowded areas increase the level of danger posed by other players.
- Monitor the trails left by opponents closely. They represent a possible target for capture when they engage in large and/or aggressive maneuvers.
Advanced Strategy Options
- Expand outward from the edge of your territory rather than expanding inward, which provides fewer avenues for opponents to potentially attack.
- Attract opponents into leaving extended trails, then use the knowledge of their position to prevent them from reaching their own territory before cutting them off.
- Engage in shorter defensive maneuvers when you are experiencing pressure from multiple opponents along the perimeter of your territory.
- Strive for a balance between expansion and defense rather than placing sole emphasis on rapid expansion.
Common Mistakes New Players Make
- Create extensive loops prematurely, thus increasing the length of time your trail remains exposed to other players.
- Fail to focus on local opponents while attempting to gain more land/territory.
- Leave the safety zone without first identifying a clear route back.
- Become overly focused on pursuing other players across the screen while failing to adequately protect your own territory.
Questions Frequently Asked About Splix.io:
What is Splix io?
Splix io is an online multiplayer game where players compete in a race to see who can capture more territory on a square grid. Players create lines on a grid to capture new squares. Players can only capture new squares by going around empty or occupied squares, and returning to their original territory safely.
How does one play Splix io?
Players simply navigate the grid. Leave your territory, create a line around empty or rival squares, and return to your original territory. The squares you capture become yours once you safely return.
What is the ultimate objective in playing Splix io?
In Splix io, the primary goal is to capture as much area as possible while simultaneously ensuring that you avoid being attacked and killed by other players. The size of your territory will dictate the extent of caution you employ in defending it.
What occurs if another player contacts my trail?
If an opponent makes contact with your trail before you are able to reconnect with your territory, you lose and are eliminated from play. Therefore, larger captures carry inherent risk.
Are there ways to take territory from other players?
Yes. Territory can be taken from other players by going around their captured squares and safely returning to your original territory.
For a beginner what type of strategy would work best?
Beginners should begin by making smaller captures. Remain close to your safe area until you are familiar with how nearby opponents are moving about. Watch carefully as opponents expose themselves in order to plan when and where you will attempt more aggressive moves. Slow expansion often results in safer expansion than aggressive expansion that could lead to losing territory.
Final Thoughts
I believe that Splix io is exciting because each expansion requires a critical decision-making process. You can choose to grow safely and incrementally, or take a higher-risk approach for a potentially higher reward. As part of Rocket Games, I believe that it represents a viable option for players interested in enjoying multiplayer io games with straightforward controls and rapid rounds combined with strategic territory expansion.
Similar Games
If you prefer games that involve battling for area control utilizing simple controls and aggressive pressure from competing opponents try Paperwar io for an alternative experience involving area control. Alternatively, for a similar experience involving area control and capture/expand dynamics but with a different terrain feel try Paper io 2. Finally, if you desire a larger hex-based arena allowing for control-focused competition emphasizing territorial development try Hexanaut io.


