About SlitherMap
🌍 What is SlitherMap?
SlitherMap is a real-time multiplayer territory conquest game set on a world map. Players control a worm, roam across the map, and capture territory to build their own empire. Compete against players from around the world in real time and aim for the #1 spot on the rankings.
You can play immediately as a guest without signing up. Registering an account lets you permanently record your scores and rankings, and have your name on the global leaderboard.
🕹 Basic Controls
SlitherMap supports mouse, keyboard, and touch controls.
Control
Action
Mouse movement
Worm follows the mouse cursor direction
Arrow keys (↑↓←→)
Move the worm up, down, left, or right
WASD keys
Same directional movement as arrow keys
Touch screen (mobile)
Worm moves in the direction you touch
P key
Pause / resume while inside your territory
Tab key
Switch control between main worm ↔ subworm
? key
Open / close the in-game help panel
🗺 Territory System
The core mechanic of SlitherMap is territory conquest . When you leave your territory (colored region), a trail forms behind your worm. Returning to your territory adds the area enclosed by the trail as new territory.
- Expanding territory earns you points and coins.
- Score increases in proportion to the area you claim.
- All your territory disappears when you die.
- Hitting your own trail with your head causes instant death.
- You can pause (P) while inside your own territory.
⚔ Combat System
Combat with other players is done through trails. Hitting an opponent's trail with your head kills them, and part of their territory opens up.
Situation
Result
My head → enemy trail
Enemy dies, kill score gained
Enemy head → my trail
I die
Head vs. head (head-on collision)
Both players die
Collision inside my territory
Collision nullified (own territory acts as a shield)
With each successful kill, the score multiplier increases by +10% . Chain kills to dramatically boost your score.
📈 Growth System
As your score grows, your worm's size, speed, and camera zoom automatically increase. Larger players can claim wider territory at once, but a bigger body also means a wider trail — making you an easier target for enemies.
- Claim territory → earn score and coins
- Successful kill → bonus score + multiplier increase
- Score increase → body, speed, and zoom grow automatically
🏙 City System
Once you have enough coins, you can build a city on your territory. Cities serve as bases for defending territory and spawning subworms.
Key
Action
Cost
C
Build a city at the current location
100k coins
U
Level up a nearby city
Varies by level
- Cities improve in performance as they level up.
- If an enemy captures the area where a city stands, the city is destroyed.
- Cities are the spawn point for subworms.
🐛 Subworm
If you own a city, you can spawn a subworm from that city. Using subworms lets you expand territory from multiple directions simultaneously, giving you a major strategic advantage.
Key
Action
V
Spawn a subworm from a nearby city (100k coins)
Tab
Switch control between main worm ↔ subworm
- All territory and score gained by the subworm is shared.
- The subworm follows the same combat and death rules as the main worm.
- If the subworm dies, the main worm survives.
🏆 Ranking System
After registering, SlitherMap offers 4 ranking periods to compete in.
Ranking Type
Description
Daily
Ranked by best score today
Weekly
Ranked by best score this week
Monthly
Ranked by best score this month
All Time
Ranked by best score of all time
Guest scores are recorded in the rankings and kept. When you sign up, your guest scores transfer to your new account, so you can keep your records and continue on any device.
💎 Crystals and Items
SlitherMap is free to play from start to finish. Some items are sold separately: skins only change how you look, while boosters and consumables do affect play. Buying anything is entirely optional.
- Crystals are the in-game currency used in the shop. They are bought with real money in US dollars and are separate from the coins you collect during a match.
- Skins change how your worm looks. They do not affect speed, size or scoring, and they do not expire.
- Boosters increase coin gain or movement speed. They are time-limited and expire 30 days after purchase.
- A registered account with a confirmed email address is required to buy crystals. Payment is handled by Xsolla, our Merchant of Record.
- Consumables are single-use: a 5-second shield, a land start and a 2,000,000-coin start. They do affect play, and they are gone once used.
Open the shop →
💡 Strategy Tips
Expand your territory safely in the early game. Shorter trails mean less risk. In the early game, repeat small loops rather than large ones to expand territory safely. Use the pause feature inside your territory. Press P to pause, assess the situation, and plan your strategy. Cut off enemies' trails. Block the path an opponent takes to return to their territory, and you can easily eliminate them by getting them to hit your trail. Build cities at the center of your territory. Cities in the center of your territory survive longer than those near the edges. Maintain your kill multiplier. Chaining kills raises your multiplier, so you earn far more score for the same amount of territory.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between a guest and a registered user?
Guests can play immediately without signing up, and their scores are recorded in the rankings. However, guest data is deleted after 30 days of inactivity, and guests cannot buy items. Registering keeps your scores permanently and lets you continue on any device — your existing guest scores transfer to the new account.
Can I play on mobile?
Yes, SlitherMap supports mobile touch controls. Touch the screen to change direction and use the on-screen buttons at the bottom to perform all actions, such as building cities and spawning subworms.
How do I earn coins?
You earn coins proportional to the area you capture. A higher kill multiplier means more coins per area claimed.
What happens when I die?
When you die, all your territory disappears and you are returned to the lobby after 3 seconds. Your high score on a registered account is preserved, so your ranking is kept.
Can I chat with other players?
Yes, global chat, country chat, and in-game chat are all supported. After logging in, press the chat button to use them.