 <p>In this related answer: <a href="http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8268710/transition-to-doesnt-work-within-a-function-and-with-a-runtimeaddeventliste">transition.to( ) doesn&#39;t work within a function and with a Runtime:addEventListener( &quot;enterFrame&quot;, method) listener in Corona / Lua</a> you can see a similar issue as I stated above. You are creating an animation right as one is starting - making it seem as though it is not moving. As I suggested above, if it suits your game, begin the transition when you spawn the object; not every gameloop.</p>