Who invented Tetris?

Tetris, the beloved and iconic puzzle game, was created by Alexey Pajitnov, a Russian video game designer and computer engineer. Pajitnov developed Tetris in 1984 while working at the Dorodnitsyn Computing Centre of the Soviet Academy of Sciences in Moscow.

The concept of Tetris originated from Pajitnov's fascination with puzzles and his desire to create a game that could challenge and entertain players of all ages. Inspired by a puzzle game called Pentomino, which involved fitting different geometric shapes together, Pajitnov set out to develop a similar concept but with a unique twist.

With the help of Dmitry Pavlovsky and Vadim Gerasimov, Pajitnov began programming Tetris using the Electronika 60, a Soviet computer. The game featured seven different tetromino shapes, each composed of four blocks, which players had to rotate and arrange to form complete horizontal lines. As the game progressed, the tetrominoes fell faster, increasing the difficulty and adding an element of urgency.

Tetris quickly gained popularity in the Soviet Union, captivating both casual players and gaming enthusiasts. Its simple yet addictive gameplay, coupled with the catchy Russian folk song "Korobeiniki," which became the game's theme music, contributed to its widespread appeal.

Despite its immense success, Tetris faced several licensing and copyright challenges due to its wide distribution on various computer platforms. Eventually, the rights to Tetris were acquired by the British software company, Mirrorsoft, which then partnered with Nintendo to release the game on the Game Boy handheld console in 1989. This collaboration further propelled Tetris into global stardom, making it one of the most recognizable and influential video games of all time.

Today, Tetris continues to captivate gamers across multiple platforms and has undergone numerous iterations and adaptations. Its simple yet challenging gameplay, coupled with its timeless design, has solidified Tetris as a true classic in the world of video games.

Sign Up