They follow the cursor in a fairly specific way.  Haven't played it since the contest, years ago, but back then we figured out pretty reliably how they chase you.
 

137,244
Qix infuriates me as well, so one and done for me.  This score I would think should keep me in the top 8.

 

Qix looks so easy when you watch someone playing on Youtube or whatever. "Oh, just draw some lines while avoiding a few enemies. Simple." But it's not easy at all!

When a NES arcade game infuriates bertsampson then you know that it's tough.




 

This one is really frustrating but a lot of fun. My goal is to double my current high score and I'll be happy

To be fair, it has more to do with my inability to slow down, take my time, and have patience.  I had the GameBoy version growing up, and I remember it being much easier to predict where the thing is going.  On the NES version, it seems the thing goes whichever way it wants, and can jump from one area to another.  I played this version last year, and was able to get my multiplier up and get a much higher score.  I just don't have the time.

 

187,384

what a piece of poop

187,815
121,537
98,410

still trying to tame a glowstick on lsd.

Wouldn't Spiral Death Trap be a cool name for a band?
 

Damnit, I had a 197,000 score but closed the rom before taking a picture. Hopefully I get can get that high again

Some words of inspiration from 2014:
========================

I won't say they're fully controllable, but they can definitely be manipulated.

And while their motion SEEMED erratic, the main thing is that you just have to pay attention to their apparent max speed and their total distance from your cursor.

Once you start drawing they are magnetized to your cursor, at varying levels of intensity, based on your in-game level.


Exploiting that is one of the methods for trapping them in tiny spaces.
Basically, you draw a tiny space with a "ledge".
Then you draw a partial line, hidden behind the ledge, and just sit there, with an uncompleted line, as long as possible (without the fuse hitting you, of course).
The longer the partially drawn line sits there, the stronger the attraction from the Qix becomes, until it gets sucked into the small space.
You finish your line while they're on the way into the trap, and then close out the trap quickly to finish the level.


That mechanic is why the larger the line you try to draw at once, the more quickly the Qix seem to come thwart your plans.

================================


Also, in a later comment in that thread, I made the point that the "erratic behavior" is a RED HERRING.

The Qix DO NOT HAVE MOMENTUM.  i.e. "it's a trap!"

They will change course on a dime as soon as you start drawing with your cursor, as they are magnetized to it.

So ignore what they SEEM to be doing, and just pay attention to how far they are from you in the first place and how fast they can move given your level and score.



I don't think we ever figured out whether the attraction was solely based on level, or whether it varied by score, as well.

BUT, I do seem to recall the difficulty of each level changing based on how high my score was when I got there.
So it MAY be kind of like Yoshi, where your score going into a level amplifies the current difficulty of that level.

I've been reading the 2014 thread for pointers. Those 400k+ scores are insane to me.

I'd be happy to break 200k this week.
 

Even the mighty Guillavoie only got into the 240k range back then, so 200k really is a pretty good score on this one.

(and Brian's score from 2014 would still beat the current WR, I think)


The key strategy is managing to trap the early level Qix's in tiny boxes where you instantly capture 99%+ of the playing field doing that "ledge trick" I mentioned in my comment above. 

Perfect that on the early levels, and you can actually manage to pull it off well into the late game (with a few modifications like splitting the field when there are multiple Qix to deal with)



 

When trying to trap the Qix it either camps out on the opposite side of the screen and won't come near you, or it stays right on top of you so that you can barely move. Fuck this game. I'm done.

197,333

I agree. 

 

Okay, I couldn't make myself quit until I broke at least 200k. NOW I'm done. And if I play much more I might suffer a heart attack or stroke because this game makes me so damn mad.

Hah, nice picture.  Now the question is, do I try to beat your score?  250K is pretty high, it starts to get really hard
 

Score: 217134

I had to get the multipliers in stages 3 and 4, and then not screw up on stages 5 and 6. It took me hours to finally nail it. I went for another multiplier in stage 7 and failled. Too bad I couldn't do a little better and get over 300k, but this score is fine.

 

They need to make a "most dedicated gamer" award for you.

Games rarely raise my blood pressure as much as Qix. But I figure that it's relatively easy pickings for a high top 8 placement or even a win this week so I have to try.

 

Updated RIGHT HERE on page number THREE

I HEARD IT! No need to yell!  
I will post the current scoreboard in about an hour!

Hurry, before someone knocks me out of first place!