As a seasoned film enthusiast and tech historian, I find myself utterly captivated by the extraordinary tale of Tetris – a game that has transcended time, culture, and technology since its inception 40 years ago. Sitting down with Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers, the game’s creator and co-founder, respectively, was an unforgettable experience, reminiscent of a conversation between two old friends who shared a common dream that defied all odds.
At the Lucca Comic and Games convention in Italy, “Tetris” is marking 40 years since its iconic falling blocks were first introduced. Recently, EbMaster had the opportunity to sit down with the game’s creator Alexey Pajitnov and co-founder Henk Rogers for a chat about the origins of this incredibly popular video game that has captured hearts worldwide.
Regardless of their contrasting looks – Pajitnov with his pale skin and white beard, Rogers with his tanned complexion and vibrant trilby hat – this dynamic duo proved unstoppable, conquering considerable obstacles to introduce their block-pairing puzzle game to the global public in 1984.
The experiences were thrilling; there’s also a film on Apple+ titled “Tetris,” featuring Taron Egerton and directed by Jon Baird. Pajitnov reminisces about it: “Noah Pink, the screenwriter, was meticulous in considering our suggestions, but it was still a challenging struggle with them, as they were insistent on adding all those typical Hollywood elements.
Rogers recognizes the concessions needed: “They had to condense a year and a half of our lives into just two hours. Regrettably, we couldn’t influence the filming process due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Upon viewing the film, Pajitnov expressed his delightful surprise. He admitted to harboring low initial expectations. However, he was satisfied with the villains, despite them being entirely fictional.
In this scenario, Robert Maxwell, a prominent British businessman, is presented as Rogers’ main rival. Alongside Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet premier, they are all part of the licensing disputes that unfolded during a time of significant change in the Soviet Union. Pajitnov also mentions that he appreciates the actor portraying him (Nikita Efremov), finding him similar to his younger self. This experience, according to Pajitnov, was both unusual and surreal.
Rogers recounts being present during the shift in question. At that time, there was a team of 100 graphic designers based in Moscow. He vividly remembers delivering an address. In his speech, he expressed that this wasn’t the end of the Soviet Union, but the start of Russia. Initially, everyone anticipated it would bring about freedom. However, over time, those freedoms gradually diminished, leading us back to where we are now.
The key factor behind “Tetris”‘s popularity, as explained by Rogers, is straightforward: “We managed to appeal to a wider audience, particularly women. Prior to ‘Tetris’, the gaming world was predominantly male-oriented, with around 95% of players being males. However, ‘Tetris’ shifted this trend.
I’d like to echo Rogers’ thoughts: “It seems he’s referring to the ‘game of order from chaos,’ which, in my view, resonates deeply with our feminine essence. We, as both men and women, possess masculine and feminine traits. Yet, it’s often said that women embody a duality of femininity – we are x and x. This duality allows us to engage in activities ranging from construction to destruction.
In today’s gaming market, both experts share their views, with economics being a significant point of contention for a former game publisher, Rogers. According to him, the cost of games is too high compared to everyday items like a cup of coffee. Essentially, he argues that people are unwilling to spend the equivalent money on a game, which might offer hours of enjoyment, when they could get just 20 minutes of satisfaction from a $3 cup of coffee.
Regarding in-app purchases, Rogers likens the situation to buying coffee: “They provide a certain amount of coffee, but want additional payment to add a touch of flavor or sweetness. It’s quite frustrating when you have to pay extra for enhancements like these.
Pajitnov admits he’s still smitten by his puzzle creation, but laments that modern versions are plagued with errors,” he explains, “These games, whether they’re online or mobile, end up having so many glitches that players are tasked with fixing them. Unfortunately, this results in a disappointing experience for the gamers.” He concludes with a wistful chuckle, “It’s the classic struggle between the perfect game and the imperfect reality.
Instead, Rogers is channeling his efforts towards fighting climate change through Blue Planet Alliance. Essentially, he’s guiding Hawaii towards achieving 100% renewable energy. This approach has been mirrored by fifteen other states. The movement is spreading across various states. Furthermore, he aims to bring island nations to Hawaii to demonstrate our progress and help them follow suit. Ultimately, his goal is to secure a mandate for all countries worldwide to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045, marking the UN’s centennial anniversary.
Rogers talks about his next endeavor with the confidence of a man who has solved puzzles before.
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2024-11-03 23:17