In 1984, a computer programmer in Moscow, Alexey Pajitnov, created what would soon become one of the world’s most iconic puzzle games. A working relationship with Henk Rogers, head of a software company at the time, would see this simply genius game skyrocket to the masses in a licensing agreement with Nintendo. Almost four decades later, the two would serve as executive producers for Jon S.
I cannot. Tetris has been released on every console, mobile, every format. Do you guys actually have a favorite version that you like to play, whether it be on the Nintendo or in the arcade? PAJITNOV: Yeah, but that’s kind of individual, long-term play. As far as game experience is concerned, I’m really excited about Tetris 99. It’s an absolutely great experience for, kind of, the sentimental factor, you know?
I’m almost ahead of time, unfortunately. All of my titles are a little bit more original than [they] should be at the time, so I [didn’t] see a very big response while I came up with the game. I see my game being ripped off five, six, seven years after my first release. That’s what’s happening for most of my career [laughs].
But, I was blown away by the movie. It’s a movie! It’s not a documentary, it’s a movie. It’s a story, and you want to call it a thriller on steroids, whatever you want to call it, it’s a movie. It’s a real movie. Well, one of the things I don’t think people are going to realize is, the Robert Maxwell situation of it all. I had no idea how involved he was in all of this, and I was just shocked. One of the things I was so surprised by is, ELORG only licensed the game for 10 years. I’m just curious, how did you pull this off? I’m sure that more companies were asking, “We want more than 10 years.”
It’s still a big mystery for me why several really great games are gone already. I mean, they will come back, I’m pretty sure. Henk, you are known for being able to talk your way in and out of situations. I’m curious, what’s a situation that you talked your way in or out of that you still can’t believe you did it?