Snek

The game: a snake moves on a grid. 3 lives, up to 60 seconds. A 3 second countdown starts it.

What scores and what kills:

• Green cells score points.
• Yellow spinning cells score more.
• Red bombs, walls and your own body cost a life.
• After a death the snake respawns at a random spot with a new bomb and a new green cell.

Controls:

• Turn 90 degrees only. You cannot reverse.
• After one input, wait for the snake to move at least one cell before the next input.
• Only press when you need to turn. The snake keeps going straight.

Strategy:

1. Take the closest safe pickup first, and count steps, not straight-line distance.
2. Before a turn, check that the cell you will land on has space beyond it. Do not turn into a pocket.
3. Prefer a slightly longer route that leaves you facing open space.
4. Keep distance from the body as the snake grows.
5. Yellow is worth chasing when the route is clear.
6. Dying on purpose can reset a bad position, but costs a life and time. Only do it when the next pickup is very far away and you have lives left. Never on your last life.
7. Buy Point Booster upgrades. See Arcade Shop.

Benchmark: a scripted player averaged about 895 points per round over 8 rounds after a timing change, versus about 685 before (one account, upgraded shop, unverified for humans).