Illustration of current Spawn Radius in game. Only applies to modes mentioned, and not to red apples (except for Portal mode).
Spawn Radius refers to the fact that in some modes, game objects that are considered "dangerous", are unable to spawn too close to the snake's head. The spawn radius is 3 in taxicab geometry. All modes with a spawn radius are considered "high score" modes.
The modes that currently have spawn radius are the following:
- Portal mode - The apples themselves can't spawn within the radius; if one or both of the apples are unable to spawn, the game ends.
- Sokoban mode - The box can't spawn within the radius; if it is unable to spawn, the game ends.
- Poison mode - The poison grey apple can't spawn within the radius; if it is unable to spawn, it simply doesn't spawn, but the game continues.
- Key mode - The key block can't spawn within the radius; if it is unable to spawn, the game ends.
- Wall mode - The walls can't spawn within the radius; if they are unable to spawn, they just don't, and the game continues. Walls have many other restrictions upon them as well.
- Minesweeper mode - The flags in this mode, which act as mines, can't spawn within the radius. If no mines are able to spawn, the game continues. It is also possible to complete this mode with mines on the board.
- Shield mode - The apples themselves can't spawn within the radius; if the last apple is unable to spawn, the game ends.
Sometimes, due to this rule, it is possible to end some of these modes with different high scores
For example, Portal mode all apples on small board range between 65 and 84.
It is also possible to manipulate the game into ending early, or the opposite, allow and "control" the spawns, to get a higher score intentionally.
Note that otherwise besides the spawn radius (and the other restrictions on walls), the spawns themselves are 100% random within open tiles.