How I Built This with Guy Raz
The Tetris Company: Henk Rogers
Jul 31, 2023
Henk Rogers, the entrepreneur who played a vital role in globalizing Tetris, shares his journey from discovering the game at a convention to navigating complex negotiations for its rights. He recounts his daring trip to Moscow, where he met Tetris's inventor, Alexey Pajitnov, and the obstacles in securing publishing agreements amid Cold War tensions. The discussion also highlights how bundling Tetris with the Game Boy transformed gaming, alongside Henk’s commitment to environmental causes following a life-changing health experience.
01:07:28
Episode guests
AI Summary
Highlights
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Henk Rogers successfully navigated a complex web of bureaucracy and secured the worldwide rights to publish Tetris.
- Rogers formed a strategic alliance with Tetris inventor Alexey Pajitnov, protecting their rights and ensuring fair compensation.
Deep dives
Hank Rogers gets hooked on Tetris
Hank Rogers encounters Tetris at a trade show and is instantly captivated by the puzzle game's simplicity and potential. He brings the game to Japan and secures the rights to publish it on personal computers. Despite facing obstacles and companies claiming the rights to Tetris, Rogers perseveres and negotiates a deal with the inventor, Alexey Pajitnov. Rogers secures the rights to publish Tetris on the Game Boy worldwide, leading to massive success with millions of units sold.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
