The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook Tetris Creator, Alexey Pajitnov
Feb 17, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Alexey Pajitnov, the brilliant mind behind Tetris, delves into his early computing experiences and the game's innovative design. He shares insights on real-time gameplay, the pressure of his iconic creation, and the evolution of puzzle mechanics. Pajitnov also discusses Tetris's profound cultural legacy, including its memorable music and future possibilities like drone shows. You'll love how he reflects on the simplicity and connectivity that Tetris continues to inspire in gaming and beyond.
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First Encounter With Mainframes
- Alexey first met a mainframe (Arasdan 3) at age 16 and programmed in machine code during a summer practice.
- He earned a certificate as a programmer and kept it proudly for years.
Early Game: Model Casino
- Before Tetris Alexey made a puzzle called Model Casino that later appeared in the Microsoft Entertainment Pack.
- He turned a paper board puzzle into a program and eventually saw it published.
Rotation Sparked Real-Time Play
- The real-time rotation of square pieces was the crucial 'aha' that moved pentomino ideas into a falling-block game.
- Rotating a piece instantly on screen inspired Alexey to make the game operate in real time.