Tetris at 40: Celebrating a gaming revolution

Tetris, the groundbreaking puzzle game that’s captivated millions, celebrates its 40th anniversary at the Lucca Comic and Games Convention in Italy. As fans gather to commemorate this iconic game, we delve into its rich history and hear from its creator, Alexey Pajitnov, and co-founder of the Tetris company, Henk Rogers. Their reflections shed light on the extraordinary journey and the lasting impact of this beloved game.

The dynamic duo behind the game

The creators behind Tetris, despite their contrasting appearances—Pajitnov with his pale complexion and white beard, and Rogers with his tan and colorful trilby—have proven to be a formidable team. Together, they faced numerous challenges to bring Tetris, a game where players arrange and eliminate a series of multicolored falling blocks, to the world in 1984.

The silver screen adaptation

The remarkable adventures of Pajitnov and Rogers are so compelling that they inspired a film adaptation on Apple+, titled “Tetris,” starring Taron Egerton and directed by Jon Baird. Reflecting on the film, Pajitnov recalls: “Noah Pink, the screenwriter, was very attentive to our notes, but it was still a long and difficult fight with them because they desperately need all this Hollywoodish embellishment.”

Rogers, acknowledging the necessary compromises, adds, “Their job was to distill a year and a half of our lives into two hours. Unfortunately, we had no control over the filming due to COVID.”

“When we watched the movie, we were surprisingly pleased,” Pajitnov shares. “We had low expectations. I’m pleased with the portrayal of the antagonists, even though they are fictional.”

A turbulent era

The movie portrays the tense licensing battles against the backdrop of a transforming USSR, featuring real-life figures like British tycoon Robert Maxwell and Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev. Pajitnov notes, “I like the actor who plays me [Nikita Efremov]. He reminds me of my younger self. It was a strange, out-of-body experience.”

Rogers reflects on their experiences during the Soviet Union’s transition: “We had a group of 100 graphic developers in Moscow. I remember giving a speech, saying, this is not the end of the Soviet Union but the beginning of Russia. Everyone hoped it would lead to freedom, but it gradually regressed to what it is now.”

Breaking barriers in gaming

According to Rogers, Tetris succeeded because it shattered the gender barrier in gaming. “Before Tetris, games were predominantly for guys—95% guys. Tetris changed that.”

He explains, “It’s an order-out-of-chaos game, which aligns more with the female side of us. Men can do both construction and destruction, while women excel in construction, making the world a better place.”

A critical look at today’s gaming market

Both Pajitnov and Rogers have their criticisms of the current gaming landscape. Rogers, an ex-publisher, highlights the economic aspects: “People resist spending the price of a cup of coffee on a game. A game worth $3 can provide hours of enjoyment, unlike 20 minutes from a coffee.”

Discussing in-app purchases, he continues, “It’s like being given a tiny bit of coffee and then being asked to pay extra for flavor or sugar. It’s a frustrating way to consume.”

Pajitnov, still passionate about puzzle games, finds that current programs often suffer from bugs. “Developers release games online or for mobile, using the public to debug them. This frustrates players, leading to failure.”

A vision for a sustainable future

Beyond gaming, Rogers is channeling his efforts into combating climate change through Blue Planet Alliance. “We aim to transition Hawaii to 100% renewable energy. Fifteen other states have followed our lead. We’re showing island countries how we did it and helping them transition too. Our goal is to achieve 100% renewable energy in all countries by 2045, marking the United Nations’ 100th anniversary.”

Rogers speaks about this initiative with the confidence of someone who has faced and solved complex puzzles before.

Reflecting on a legacy

Reflecting on 40 years of success, Pajitnov and Rogers’s insights underscore why Tetris remains one of the most influential games in history. Its impact extends beyond just being a game—paving the way for more inclusive and thoughtful gaming experiences.

As we celebrate this milestone, let’s continue to appreciate the innovative spirit and enduring legacy of Tetris. Share your memories and join the conversation about the game’s remarkable journey on social media. Follow us for more updates on the gaming world and beyond.