Pour célébrer les 40 ans de « Tetris » lors de la convention Lucca Comic and Games en Italie, Alexey Pajitnov et Henk Rogers, respectivement créateur et co-fondateur de la société Tetris, partagent leurs expériences sur l’essor du jeu emblématique. Ils évoquent les défis rencontrés pour le rendre célèbre en 1984, ainsi que l’adaptation cinématographique qui a suivi. Pajitnov souligne l’importance de franchir la barrière de genre dans les jeux vidéo, tandis que Rogers critique l’économie actuelle du jeu, préférant consacrer son énergie à la lutte contre le changement climatique via le Blue Planet Alliance.
As « Tetris » commemorates its 40th anniversary at the Lucca Comic and Games festival in Italy, its creator Alexey Pajitnov and co-founder Henk Rogers engage in a conversation about the origins of this globally celebrated game.
Though they look quite different—Pajitnov with his pale skin and white beard, and Rogers sporting a tan and colorful trilby—the duo forms a powerful partnership that triumphed against numerous challenges to launch their iconic puzzle game in 1984, allowing players to match and remove vibrant falling blocks.
Their journey inspired the Apple+ film “Tetris,” featuring Taron Egerton and directed by Jon Baird. Reflecting on the experience, Pajitnov remarks, “Noah Pink [the screenwriter] paid close attention to our feedback, but it was still a long and tough battle, as they really wanted to inject a lot of Hollywood flair.”
Rogers empathizes with the need for compromises, saying, “Their task was to condense a year and a half of our lives into two hours. Sadly, we lost control during filming because of COVID.”
“To our surprise, we were quite pleased with the movie,” Pajitnov admits. “We didn’t expect much. I found the portrayal of the antagonists enjoyable, even though they’re fictional.”
The real-life British magnate Robert Maxwell appears as Rogers’ main rival, alongside Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, amidst the complex licensing disputes occurring during a transformative period in the USSR. “I like the actor who portrays me [Nikita Efremov],” states Pajitnov. “He reminds me of my younger self. It was a surreal experience.”
“I witnessed the transition firsthand,” recalls Rogers. “We had around 100 graphic developers in Moscow. I gave a speech where I stated that this wasn’t the end of the Soviet Union; it was the dawn of Russia. Everyone was hopeful it would lead to freedom, but unfortunately, it gradually reverted to its former state.”
According to Rogers, the key to « Tetris' » remarkable success lies in breaking gender barriers: “Prior to ‘Tetris,’ the gaming world was predominantly male, about 95%. ‘Tetris’ changed that significantly.”
He elaborates, “It’s a game that represents order from chaos, which appeals more to the female aspect of our nature. Men embody both male and female traits. Women primarily possess the ability to build, as well as dismantle. This balance is crucial for improving our world.”
Both men express their critiques of the modern gaming landscape. Rogers, a former game publisher, notes economic concerns: “People hesitate to spend what they would on a cup of coffee for a game. At $3, a cup of coffee provides 20 minutes of enjoyment, whereas a game offers hours.”
Discussing in-app purchases, he likens it to coffee: “They give you just enough coffee and then ask for more money to add flavor or sugar. It’s a frustrating way to consume products.”
Pajitnov, still passionate about puzzles, expresses disappointment with contemporary gaming experiences, citing persistent bugs. “Games are released—be it online or mobile—and they expect players to debug them. The games often fail because players become irritated,” he concludes with a resigned chuckle, “It’s all part of the process.”
Meanwhile, Rogers is channeling his efforts toward addressing climate change. “We’re leading the Blue Planet Alliance initiative, aiming to transition Hawaii to 100% renewable energy. Fifteen other states have followed our lead. We’re also bringing island nations to Hawaii to share our approach. Ultimately, we aim for all countries to commit to renewable energy by 2045, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the United Nations.”
Rogers discusses his upcoming projects with the assuredness of someone well-versed in solving challenges.