Tetris, a name synonymous with gaming history, has maintained its relevance through numerous versions across diverse platforms. Each iteration preserves the core puzzle mechanics while introducing exciting variations. Henk Rogers played a crucial role in the game’s global success by securing its publishing rights and co-founding the Tetris Company alongside its creator, Alexey Pajitnov. In his upcoming book, The Perfect Game: Tetris: From Russia With Love, Rogers delves into his remarkable journey with Tetris, recounting the astonishing events that led to his initial encounter with Pajitnov in the Soviet Union.
Rogers’ experience in the gaming industry predates Tetris, as he founded Bullet-Proof Software, which brought to life Black Onyx, the first significant role-playing game released in 1984. His journey into the Tetris world began at the 1988 Consumer Electronics Show, where he discovered the game and committed to securing its publishing rights. This pursuit took him across multiple countries and involved navigating a series of unusual challenges, which he highlights in his book.
In anticipation of the release of The Perfect Game: Tetris: From Russia With Love, ScreenRant engaged Rogers in a conversation about the history of Tetris, the challenges he faced, and what lies ahead for the beloved puzzle game.
Henk Rogers & Tetris: An Instant Connection
“I Saw The Game That Is Going To Have The Widest Audience Of Any Game Ever”
Upon first encountering Tetris at CES, Rogers recognized its unique appeal, admitting that while “it doesn’t look like anything from a distance,” he was convinced he had “seen the game that is going to have the widest audience of any game ever.” Captivated, he played repeatedly until he achieved a high score that surpassed Gilman Louie, the president of Tetris’ publisher. “You don’t know what’s going on,” he reflected, “the game looked too simple. Yet, simplicity has never frightened me.”
At that time, multiple versions of Tetris were emerging, including those by Mirrorsoft in Europe and Spectrum HoloByte in the U.S., as well as SEGA’s coin-op version in Japan. While this variety reflected the game’s immense popularity, it also led to complications for players who found differences between the SEGA version and that on the Nintendo Game Boy to be disorienting and frustrating.
Determined to create a cohesive Tetris experience, Rogers invested considerable energy in unifying the various versions of the game. He established guidelines so that players would find familiarity across new Tetris releases, ensuring that the “gas pedal is on the right and the brake is on the left.” However, he believes “a game lives to evolve” and welcomes licensees who innovate within that framework. Notably, one significant evolution was the introduction of the T-Spin technique, a method for completing gaps using the T-shaped Tetrimino, which Rogers first learned about from a Nintendo associate.
Encouraged by this creativity, Rogers was open to rewarding players who showcased T-Spin alongside another innovation: combos. His team shifted the game’s scoring from rewarding individual pieces to emphasizing consecutive line clears, broadening the gameplay strategy.
The Future of Tetris
The Puzzle Game Will Be “Like The Way Golf Is Today”
Despite Tetris’s long-standing success, Rogers envisions even further growth for the beloved game. He forecasts its future as becoming “a central esport,” comparable to contemporary golf, where tournaments will occur every weekend worldwide. He anticipates a new generation of professional players sponsored by big brands, and believes the game will captivate television audiences through an engaging and dynamic presentation.
Rogers’ aspirations extend beyond tournaments; Tetris has shown potential in therapeutic applications, particularly in mitigating PTSD. He proposes developing a portable device reminiscent of the Game Boy for first responders to provide immediate relief to individuals experiencing trauma.
Henk Rogers’ Past, Present, & Future
Becoming A Nintendo Publisher, Adapting in the Industry, & The Future of Black Onyx
Rogers attributes much of his ability to navigate challenges in the gaming industry to his extensive background. His formative experiences include a pivotal meeting with Hiroshi Yamauchi, the former president of Nintendo, during which Rogers showcased an electronic version of Go. Yamauchi candidly told him, “This game is not strong enough for Nintendo,” prompting Rogers to pivot his objective towards becoming a Nintendo publisher—something that had eluded several companies, including Square and Enix. Unfazed, Rogers confidently asserted, “It may not be strong enough for Nintendo, but it’s strong enough for my company. Let me publish it.” This daring move ultimately opened doors for future Tetris games on Nintendo platforms.
Even today, Tetris continues to dominate Rogers’ attention, leading him to set aside any plans for new Black Onyx projects. He acknowledges Black Onyx as “the most difficult thing [he] ever did,” requiring a dedication that he cannot currently afford. Nevertheless, he still plays games occasionally to stay connected to the industry, finding himself irresistibly drawn back to Tetris. “Somebody hands me a new version of Tetris, and it’s like, ‘No, no, I can’t afford to spend this much time playing this game,'” he quips.
Despite his hesitations about diving too deeply into Tetris, Rogers’ passion for the game remains unwavering, and unsurprisingly, his preferred Tetrimino is the T piece. He appreciates it not only because it is “the only one that’s recognizably Tetris” but also for its strategic complexities. “The T is when you actually have to think, ‘What am I going to do?'” ”
Henk Rogers’ insights into the captivating world of Tetris reveal an extraordinary journey that will unfold further in his upcoming book, The Perfect Game: Tetris: From Russia With Love, set for release on April 1, 2025.