Contents
1. Introduction
2. Play Trxilt three ways!
3. Trxilt gameboard
..4. Activate and score points
5. Geometric shapes
6. Game rules: Trxilt LINES
7. Game rules: Trxilt CLASSIC
8. Game rules: Trxilt PRO
..9. Trxilt strategies
10. How to play a new game
11. Apple Game Center
12. Apple App Store
13....Pen and paper Trxilt game
1. Introduction
Trxilt is available for free, from the Apple App Store. For iPhone, iPad, iPod touch devices and Mac computers. Two players play side by side using a single device, or a player uses Apple's Game Center to play another player anywhere in the world! Trxilt is the classic Dots and Boxes game, but with an exciting new twist!
All game programming created by David Reich. Trxilt is based on a game by Rick Nordal. UX and additonal graphic concepts by Solomon Reich. Game design for Trxilt was a team effort by David Reich, Rick Nordal and Solomon Reich. Questions? Email: Trixlt
2. Play Trxilt three ways!
Trxilt is played not one, not two, but three different ways! Which way is your best?
Trxilt LINES - Chapter 6
Trxilt CLASSIC - Chapter 7
Trxilt PRO - Chapter 8
The LINES, CLASSIC and PRO game each share the same game play:
Tap your finger between two dots to create a vertical or horizontal line. When a game piece is surrounded by four lines it is activated! Points are scored, by swiping your finger along the black line of an activated piece in the direction of another activated piece(s). The number in the center of a game piece, is it's point value. As more dots become connected with lines, the game gets progressively more challenging. When there are no more scoring opportunities, the game ends. The player who scores the most points wins.
The difference between the three games, is how the red and blue lines are placed on the gameboard.
3. Trxilt gameboard
A Trxilt game starts with a 6 x 6 grid of 36 dots and a 5 x 5 grid of 25 round game pieces. Game pieces are worth 1 to 9 points. The number located in the center of a game piece, is it's point value for that game.
Each game piece will have 1, 2, 3 or 4 black lines. Orange colored game pieces only capture in vertical and or horizontal directions. Green colored game pieces only capture in diagonal directions.
The point value, how many black lines are on each game piece, the number and arrangement of orange and green game pieces used, is different for each new game played.
4. Activate and score points
During a game, dots are connected with horizontal and vertical red and blue lines. When four lines surround a game piece, it becomes activated! A purple color surrounds each activated piece.
Creating a single line, can also activate two game pieces at the same time!
In the above example both the 6 point game piece and the 1 point game piece are activated, creating a scoring opportunity. The player would use the activated 1 point piece to capture the activated 6 point piece, scoring 6 points! There must be a black line on an activated piece (used for capturing), that points directly at another activated piece(s) going to be captured. Activated pieces captured, do not need to have a black line pointing back at the activated piece used for capturing.
5. Geometric shapes
A player typically avoids activating game pieces early in a game, because it usually creates a scoring opportunity for the other player. This game strategy, results in different geometric shapes to be formed. Shown below are five different geometric shapes, that appear frequently in a game. They resemble the letters ' T, r, i, l and t'.
Any two dots connected with a horizontal or vertical line inside any of the above five geometric shapes, will activated one or two game pieces. This will usually create a scoring opportunity. The letter ( T ) and letter ( r ) can appear four different ways. The letter ( i ) and letter ( l ) can appear two different ways. The letter ( t ) appears just one way.
6. Game rules: Trxilt LINES
Trxilt LINES is a remarkable little strategy game. Red lines must all connect together. Blue lines must all connect together. Such an easy rule, but, profound strategy to win.
The video below, shows an entire Trxilt LINES game played on an iPad device.
For 2 players, ages 4 to adult. Game time: 5 minutes.
Game Summary
Tap your finger between two dots to create a vertical or horizontal line. When a game piece is surrounded by four lines it is activated! Points are scored, by swiping your finger along the black line of an activated piece in the direction of another activated piece(s). The number in the center of a game piece, is it's point value. As more dots become connected with lines, the game gets progressively more challenging. When there are no more scoring opportunities, the game ends. The player who scores the most points wins.
Setup
Start a game by tapping ' New ' located at the bottom left corner of your devices screen, then choose how you want to play.
Objective
The player who scores the most points wins.
Game play
Players take turns. A players turn consists of two-parts. Part 1: Create a line. Part 2: Score points.
Part 1 of a players turn: Create a line
Place a single horizontal or vertical line by tapping between the dots where you want to place the line. A grey line appears. Tap ' Confirm ' and the grey line turns into a color line. Player 1 creates red lines. Player 2 creates blue lines.
A faster way to create a line is to quickly double-tap your finger between two dots. You can change your mind anytime before tapping ' Confirm '. Once you double-tap or tap ' Confirm ' you cannot udo your action. If there are empty lines on the gameboard you have to place a line.
Line placement rules
(1) At the start of a game the first two red lines that player 1 creates, can be placed apart from each other or joined together, in any direction anywhere on the gameboard. (2) Each additional red line created must be joined to a red line already on the gameboard. (3) A continuous red line can be any length and go in any direction, anywhere on the gameboard. (4) Red lines can be joined to any part of a continuous red line. (5) A continuous red line can cross over a continuous blue line any number of times. (6) When a red line can no longer be connected to another red line, a new vertical or horizontal red line can be created, anywhere on the gameboard. All red lines must again be connected to each other.
Player 2 who creates blue lines, uses the same line placement rules as shown above.
The example below shows a Trxilt LINES game, that has been started. Each player has created 10 lines. A red line connects to a red line. A blue line connects to a blue line.
An illegal line
If a player creates a single line not connected to a same colored line, but it could have been, then that player has created an illegal line. When a player see's this happen, he or she says ' illegal line ' and automatically wins the game. If a player creates a line, and then see's the other players previous illegal line, the game continues.
If a player creates an illegal line while playing a game using Apple's Game Center, the other player creates five grey lines, one after the other. This signals to the other player that he or she has lost the game.
Activating game pieces
When a game piece is surrounded by four lines, it becomes activated!
Creating a single line can also activate two game pieces at the same time!
When a game piece is activated, you do not create another line and you do not own it.
Part 2 of a players turn: Score points
If after creating a line there is no scoring opportunity, a players turn is finished. When there is a scoring opportunity, the words ' Pick a scoring move and tap Score ' will appear above the game board, and a players turn continues.
A player is allowed to use any activated game piece to capture other activated pieces. There must be a black line on an activated piece (used for capturing), that points directly at another activated piece(s) going to be captured. Activated pieces captured, do not need to have a black line pointing back at the activated piece used for capturing. Only one scoring opportunity is allowed in a players turn. Each time a player captures an activated piece(s), points are added to his or her score. Activated pieces captured, are removed from the gameboard. The number located in the center of each game piece, is its point value.
All game pieces remain in the same position, for the entire game until they are captured, or the game ends. As more and more dots are connected with lines, the game gets more challenging. When there are no more scoring opportunities, the game ends. The player with the most points wins.
How to score points
In the example below, you would place your finger on the activated 1 point game piece and then ' swipe ' your finger along it's horizontal black line (shown blinking) towards the activated 4 point and 5 point game piece. A horizontal red line will appear. Tap ‘ Score ’ located at the bottom right corner of your devices screen. Both the 4 point and 5 point activated pieces are captured and disappear. 9 points is added to player your score.
Strategy
In the example below player 1 has created a continuous red line, that surrounds a group of six high point value game pieces. Only player 1 can activate the six game pieces in the group. Player 2 has been blocked from activating them. Player 1 will then try to capture the six activated game pieces before player 2 gets a chance to.
In the above example player 2 has no strategy and is creating a continuous, blue line that does not benefit him.
In the below example, player 1 has activated the 8 point game pieces. There is no scoring opportunity so it is player 2's turn. Player 2 will create a vertical blue line ( shown blinking ) that will activate the 9 point game piece. Player 2 in the same turn, will then use the 8 point game piece, to capture the activated 9 point game piece, to score 9 points!
If you have an opportunity, create a new line inside your opponent's group of game pieces. Another strategy is to create a continuous line that attempts to stop the other player from creating a continuous line, around a group of high point value game pieces.
Shown above is a finished Trxilt LINES game. Player 2 has scored 65 points and wins! At the end of a game, some activated game pieces might remain because they could not be captured.
7. Game rules: Trxilt CLASSIC
Trxilt CLASSIC game: Red and blue lines are placed vertically or horizontally anywhere on the gameboard. Of the three different Trxilt games, Trxilt CLASSIC is the easiest to play.
The video below, shows an entire Trxilt CLASSIC game played on an iPad device.
For 2 players, ages 4 to adult. Game time: 5 minutes.
Game Summary
Tap your finger between two dots to create a vertical or horizontal line. When a game piece is surrounded by four lines it is activated! Points are scored, by swiping your finger along the black line of an activated piece in the direction of another activated piece(s). The number in the center of a game piece, is it's point value. As more dots become connected with lines, the game gets progressively more challenging. When there are no more scoring opportunities, the game ends. The player who scores the most points wins.
Objective
The player who scores the most points wins.
Setup
Start a game by tapping ' New ' located at the bottom left corner of your devices screen, then choose how you want to play.
Game play
Players take turns. A players turn consists of two-parts. Part 1: Create a line. Part 2: Score points.
Part 1 of a players turn: Create a line
Place a single horizontal or vertical line by tapping between the dots where you want to place the line. A grey line appears. Tap ' Confirm ' and the grey line turns into a color line. Player 1 creates red lines. Player 2 creates blue lines.
A faster way to create a line is to quickly double-tap your finger between two dots. You can change your mind anytime before tapping ' Confirm '. Once you double-tap or tap ' Confirm ' you cannot udo your action. If there are empty lines on the gameboard you have to place a line.
Activating game pieces
When a game piece is surrounded by four lines, it becomes activated!
Creating a single line can also activate two game pieces at the same time!
When a game piece is activated, you do not create another line and you do not own it.
Part 2 of a players turn: Score points
If after creating a line there is no scoring opportunity, a players turn is finished. When there is a scoring opportunity, the words ' Pick a scoring move and tap Score ' will appear above the game board, and a players turn continues.
A player is allowed to use any activated game piece to capture other activated pieces. There must be a black line on an activated piece (used for capturing), that points directly at another activated piece(s) going to be captured. Activated pieces captured, do not need to have a black line pointing back at the activated piece used for capturing. Only one scoring opportunity is allowed in a players turn. Each time a player captures an activated piece(s), points are added to his or her score. Activated pieces captured, are removed from the gameboard. The number located in the center of each game piece, is its point value.
All game pieces remain in the same position, for the entire game until they are captured, or the game ends. As more and more dots are connected with lines, the game gets more challenging. When there are no more scoring opportunities, the game ends. The player with the most points wins.
How to score points
In the example below, you would place your finger on the activated 1 point game piece and then ' swipe ' your finger along it's horizontal black line (shown blinking) towards the activated 4 point and 5 point game piece. A horizontal red line will appear. Tap ‘ Score ’ located at the bottom right corner of your devices screen. Both the 4 point and 5 point activated pieces are captured and disappear. 9 points is added to player your score.
Strategy
Avoid placing a third line around a game piece, if it allows your opponent to activate and capture it. This is shown in the example below. If player 1 joins dot 'A' and dot 'B' with a line or joins dot 'B' and dot 'C' with a line, player 2 will activate the 6 point game piece, and then use the 8 point game piece to capture the 6 point game piece, to score 6 points!
8. Game rules: Trxilt PRO
Trxilt PRO game: Player 1 creates, vertical red lines for the entire game. Player 2 creates, horizontal blue lines for the entire game. Vertical and horizontal lines can be placed anywhere on the gameboard.
The video below, shows an entire Trxilt PRO game played on an iPhone device.
For 2 players, ages 4 to adult. Game time: 5 minutes.
Game Summary
Tap your finger between two dots to create a vertical or horizontal line. When a game piece is surrounded by four lines it is activated! Points are scored, by swiping your finger along the black line of an activated piece in the direction of another activated piece(s). The number in the center of a game piece, is it's point value. As more dots become connected with lines, the game gets progressively more challenging. When there are no more scoring opportunities, the game ends. The player who scores the most points wins.
Except for rule 1 and rule 2 shown below, use the Trxilt CLASSIC game rules when playing the Trxilt PRO game.
Rule 1: Line placement rule
Player 1 creates only VERTICAL red lines for the entire game. Player 2 creates only HORIZONTAL blue lines for the entire game.
Rule 2: An illegal line
If player 1 creates an illegal horizontal line instead of a VERTICAL line, player 2 automatically wins. If player 2 creates an illegal vertical line instead of a HORIZONTAL line, player 1 automatically wins. Immediately after a player see's an illegal line, he or she must say ' illegal line ' and wins the game. If a player creates a line, and then see's the other players previous illegal line, the game continues. If a player creates an illegal line while playing a game using Apple's Game Center, the other player creates a grey line and then waits for about 30 seconds. This signals to the other player that he or she has lost the game.
The example below shows a Trxilt PRO game that has been finished. At the end of a game there will always be six vertical red lines, and six horizontal blue lines. Some activated game pieces may remain, that could not be captured.
9. Trxilt strategies
(1) Where are the game pieces worth 1, 2, 3 points located? Where are the game pieces worth 5, 6, 7 points located? Where are the game pieces worth 7, 8, 9 points located? Use this information to help strategize, where it is best to place your lines on the gameboard.
(2) Locate the game pieces that have black lines, pointing at game pieces worth 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 points.
(3) Look for scoring opportunities that allow you to capture two or more activated game pieces, all at the same time in one direction.
(4) At the beginning of a game, activate game pieces that can't capture each other. This changes the game dynamics of where lines can be placed on the gameboard. In the below example, three game pieces are activated but they can't capture each other.
(5) The example below shows three game pieces surrounded by a rectangle line. Let your opponent activate one of these game pieces with a vertical line. You can then activate the two remaining game pieces, both at the same time with a single vertical line. This creates a scoring opportunity. You would use the activated 5 point game piece to capture both the 8 point and 6 point game piece, scoring 14 points.
(6) Activate a row of 2, 3, 4 or 5 green game pieces. They won't be able to capture each other because their diagonal black lines don't point at each other. This is shown below.
10. How to play a new game
Tapping the 'New' button located at the lower-left corner of your screen will give you three choices to start a new game.
(1) ' Two Player ' will start a new game on your iPhone or iPad with both players taking turns on the same screen.
(2) ' Two Player Online ' will go to the ' Game Center ' matching screen. You will be asked to log in if you are not already logged in to the Game Center.
(3) ' Rematch ' will start another game just like the previous game. If you were playing remotely this will start another game with the same person you were playing with.
The image shown above is what you will see on your screens device when choosing your three choices to start a new game.
11. Apple Game Center
Game Center allows a player to play another player nearby or with a player anywhere in the world. Game Center is a service by Apple. When you choose Two Player Online the Multiplayer Game screen in Game Center will appear. If you are not already signed in to Game Center you will be asked to sign in.
You might need to first turn Game Center on in the Settings app. You cannot play online without signing in. Tap the Play Now button to ask Game Center to match you with another player. The player is selected randomly from all the other players who are also requesting to Play Now. The Invite Friends button will work in different ways depending upon how your Game Center account is configured and how Messages are configured on your device. Trxilt does not store any achievements, leaderboards or history on Game Center or anywhere else.
12. Apple App Store
The Trxilt game is available for free at the Apple App Store. Apple has a new Privacy Policy. When you purchase the Trxilt game from the App Store, you will see a banner ad located at the top of the screen. To delete the banner ad, do the following. Tap the word 'Store' located at the bottom of the screen, and it will take you to the 'Remove Ads' screen.
Here you can tap on the large No Ads icon ( shown below ) to go to the App Store to purchase the No Ads feature.
After purchasing the game for $1.39 you will no longer see the banner ads.
Below is a Trxilt game as it would appear on an iPad device with a banner ad.
Below is a Trxilt game on an iPad device with no banner ad. The 5 x 5 grid of 25 alien spaceships, will appear slightly larger.
13. Pen and paper Trxilt game
Print out a Trxilt game and play any of the three different Trxilt games. Player 1 uses a red pen and player 2 uses a blue pen. When a game piece is captured, draw a large ' X ' over it. Player's keep track of points scored, by writing the numbers on the same paper.
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