John Isles, iv, presents a FAQ that is kid-tested, mother-approved, has
essential ingredients for strong and healthy bodies, can be used as a Christmas
tree decoration, makes a nice discussion piece, and can also substitute candy
bars for a snack, a nice bowl of...
 ___  ___
/   \  |  \  /
|   |  |   \/
| \ |  |   /\
\__\/ _|_ /  \     A Qix FAQ.  Contains 14 essential vitamins and minerals for
    \              healthy bodies, as recommended by the FDA.
                   (This document covers only the Game Boy [classic] version)

This FAQ should be available only at the following sites:

-GameFAQs    <http://www.gamefaqs.com>
-GameWinners <http://www.gamewinners.com>

If found at any other sites please notify me, as these are illegal copies.

+------------+
|1.  CONTENTS|
+------------+
 0.  TITLE
 1.  CONTENTS (You're reading them, stupid!)
 2.  COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
 3.  FAQ HISTORY
 4.  HOW TO READ THIS FAQ
 5.  OPTIONS
 6.  CONTROLS
 7.  SCORING
 8.  LEVEL STRATEGIES
 9.  MARIO, THE MUSICIAN
10.  SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS
11.  CREDITS & OTHER THANKS

+-------------------------+
|2.  COPYRIGHT INFORMATION|
+-------------------------+
QIX is a registered trademark of Taito Corporation, 1981, 90.  Game Boy version 
licensed to Nintendo, 1990.  All rights reserved.

This FAQ/SG is neither authorized nor sponsored by Nintendo nor Taito.

This FAQ/SG's content is property of John Isles, iv.

This FAQ/SG is copyright 2001 John Isles, iv.  You may alter it (spell/grammar 
check, make it look all nice and neat, etc.) for personal use only, but you may 
NEVER-- I repeat:  NEVER-- put your name in my place.  Also, you are never 
allowed to remove this disclaimer at all.  If you would like to post my FAQ/SG on 
your site, you MUST ask my permission (by E-mail; address changes will be posted 
in future versions), but you may neither sell nor trade it for money, goods, 
etc., nor can you post a pirated version not edited by myself.

+---------------+
|3.  FAQ HISTORY|
+---------------+
Current version statistics:
8,192 key strokes.
1,376 words separated by punctuation marks.
198 80-character lines.

0.2.  Posted 2001.3.31.  Removed all hard-wrapping for upload to GameFAQs.  The 
FTP program I use is capable of wrapping text for me, and I am happy-happy-joy- 
joy about it.  Also, I added the <SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS> section the prior 
release was missing.  I just forgot to tack it on.  (John, you DOPE!)  Also, I 
updated the copyright information to read "2001".

0.1.  What you're reading.  Started on 1999.12.26; Released 2000.2.8.  This 
document only covers the basics.

+---------------------------------------+
|4.  HOW TO READ THIS FAQ/STRATEGY GUIDE|
+---------------------------------------+
This strategy guide is best read with a fixed-width font, like Andale Mono, which 
is a free download available from Microsoft.  You will be able to tell if the 
font you're using is fixed-width if the next two lines are lined up perfectly.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ1234567890
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz$!?&*@

+-----------+
|5.  OPTIONS|
+-----------+
Well, I decided to forgo the story (since there isn't one), and get straight to 
the heart of the matter.  For the GB version (which this FAQ is based on), there 
are only two:  1P and 2P versus.  I have forgotten the versus options, so please 
E-mail me if you have them.

+------------+
|6.  CONTROLS|
+------------+
Really simple, 007.

Arrow pad:  Used to move.  You can only move along the sides of a completed box 
or solid line.  But then, you can use this in conjunction with the other 
buttons...

A button + arrow pad:  Start a fast-moving line.

B button + arrow pad:  Starts a slow-moving line.  Since you are moving half as 
fast, it's very fitting that you receive doubled points.

Of course, you have to use the arrow pad to direct the line in order to 
completely secure areas.

And, should you score high enough to be on the glamorous top score list, use the 
arrow pad to select the letters, A to move onto the next slot, and B to back up.

+-----------+
|7.  SCORING|
+-----------+
There isn't much to explain when it comes to scoring.  You receive a single point 
for each pixel covered in a successful capture of area (WHOOPEE!); Two points if 
your marker's movement is slow the whole way through (WHOOPEE AND A HALF!).  Bear 
in mind that, even though you score only one or two points per pixel, believe it 
or not, Ripley, there are a LOT of pixels on that tiny Game Boy screen.  And you 
can only encapsulate an odd number of pixels by an odd number of pixels (meaning 
you can capture 25x25, but never 26x25 or 25x26).
     There is also an end/stage bonus of 1,000pts. for each percentage point over 
the requirement (which can be multiplied; more later), and, if you can fill in 
the "perfect" 99%, a 50,000pt. bonus is added to your score (which, if at level 
9, 17, 25, etc., can be worth a up to a cool 250,000).
     One more thing:  You can pick up no more than four extra lives.  They come 
at 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, and 500,000pts.  After topping the half-mil mark, 
your mind will be the only thing that can keep your inanimate marker alive.

+-----------------------+
|8.  ENEMIES & OBSTACLES|
+-----------------------+
Perhaps the shortest list of enemies I might live to ever write about.

FUSE:  The bastards will chase after you if your in-progress lines are being held 
up for too long.  Capture a piece of the field to keep it at bay.

QIX:  That lightning-looking thing that slinks around the area in random 
patterns.  You're safe if you're on terra firma, but it can zap you by touching 
incomplete lines (yep, you' dead!).

SPARX:  These white blobs work their way around the level, taking the paths that 
you have created.  You should watch that ever-decreasing bar on the bottom of 
your screen, because, sooner or later, Sparx evolve into...

SUPER SPARX:  These M'er F'ers won't rest until you're dead.  They're more 
aggressive and can take shortcuts at will.  If'n you outmaneuver them before they 
reach you, they're no threat until the next time they appear.

+--------------------+
|9.  LEVEL STRATEGIES|
+--------------------+
For a game of this caliber (smaller than an atom), I can only offer some simple
pointers.  By doing the following, you can rack up some good scores.

1.  Be quick about it.  If you take too long, the Sparx will get aggressive, and 
start going after you like a cat to catnip.

2.  Don't delay on the lines.  Fuses will chase after you if you wait only a few 
short seconds.

3.  Always try for the 99% on the first few stages.  This can really give your 
score a boost not even a straight espresso can give.

4.  If trying for the 99%, you have to be careful if you wish to succeed.  
Explained, the Qix can be really difficult to see, so you might have smooth 
sailing, or you might run into it an invisible trap.  Don't rush it until you 
know you have a clear path.

5.  Only use the slow movement if the gap you're going across is short or far 
away from and safe of the Qix.  Remember:  If you move slowly, your score for the 
newly-captured area will be doubled.

6.  In every even-numbered set of four stages (5-8, 13-16, 21-24, 29-32, etc.?), 
try separating the two Qix.  This will forfeit a bonus for this stage, but the 
next stage's bonus will be upped.  Split the two Qix for four levels straight, 
you can quintuple (that's 5x) your stage bonus.

+-----------------------+
|9.  MARIO, THE MUSICIAN|
+-----------------------+
I'll update this portion as soon as I get all information on it.

+---------------------------+
|10.  SUBMISSIONS & COMMENTS|
+---------------------------+
If you have any submissions, strategies, comments, insults, or other stuff you 
have to offer, you can currently E-mail me at <qxz@as.net>.  Be aware that a 
response is never guaranteed.  Also, if you submit, I-- and I alone-- have the 
choice of what gets added or not, AND you are also agreeing to give me the right 
to edit the submission.  

+---------------------------+
|11.  CREDITS & OTHER THANKS|
+---------------------------+
Nintendo & Taito:
     Making and releasing this game.

That's it.  Show's over.  And I hate ending documents with a prime number.
