As a seasoned video game enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the digital world, I can confidently say that Tetris Forever is a must-have for any gaming collection. With its painstaking recreation of historical versions of Tetris, including the original Electronika 60 computer version, it offers an authentic experience that transports you back to the golden age of gaming.
On November 12th, Tetris Forever will be released for both PC and consoles. This game is a unique blend of fourteen (14) different Tetris games, curated and compiled by Atari and Digital Eclipse into one package that also serves as an engaging documentary about the beloved game’s history.
Before the November launch, we got a chance to chat with Chris Kohler, the editorial director of Tetris Forever at Digital Eclipse. We took this opportunity to ask about the latest updates, classic versions, the movie, and much more. So, here we go, let’s dive right in!
Could you share with us the initial experiences of Tetris that developers had? And which console or version introduced you personally to this game series?
In a nutshell, while everybody may have their unique tales, mine revolves around the Game Boy version. We obtained our Game Boy in 1989, complete with Tetris pre-installed. For me, it was primarily a pastime once I’d completed Super Mario Land. Truth be told, I wasn’t particularly skilled at it! However, just like everyone else, my old black-and-white Game Boy ended up receiving more playtime from our moms who were captivated by Tetris.
Back then, receiving a CGA monitor allowed us to visually interact with our IBM computer using four distinctly odd color options. Upon setting it up for the first time, we immediately launched Tetris. Our content manager, Dan Amrich, had a profound fascination with the Spectrum Holobyte MS-DOS version during his college years.
As a dedicated game enthusiast with years of experience under my belt, I’ve honed my skills in recreating classic gaming experiences for contemporary platforms, excluding Tetris. Among these revivals, there are a few games that I take immense pride in resurrecting and bringing them to life once more on modern consoles. When asked about what lies ahead, I am filled with excitement at the prospect of continuing to bridge the gap between the golden age of gaming and the present, ensuring that these timeless experiences can be enjoyed by a new generation.
Personally speaking, I find it immensely satisfying to be part of the Gold Master Series project. Games like Jordan Mechner’s Karateka were groundbreaking during their time, but they risk being lost to memory if people can’t play the original versions or don’t grasp the reasons behind their significant impact on a generation of game creators. Similarly, Jeff Minter’s early games before Tempest 2000 are hard to find and fully appreciate because they are such unique expressions of his personal artistry that one needs to understand the creator himself to truly grasp them.
The common theme in the Gold Master Series is the captivating narratives about the individuals who created these significant games. If a tale is engaging enough to emphasize the idea that games are art forms crafted by people, we aim to be part of it and discover a method to narrate that story uniquely within an interactive documentary video game setting.
Has Tetris been a part of our gaming landscape for four decades now, do you foresee any more advancements or variations in its style or design, other than Time Warp mode?
Absolutely, the reasoning behind the title “Tetris Forever” is because it’s a game designed to endure longer than any of us.
Have you seen the Tetris movie starring Taron Egerton, and what did you think of it?
Absolutely! The initial thought that struck me while watching it was a peculiar sensation seeing Egerton, who I’ve only known from Rocketman, portray someone I actually know in real life. Secondly, despite the film being a dramatized Hollywood rendition of their story, I believe it accurately conveyed the emotional authenticity of Henk Rogers and Alexey Pajitnov’s experiences. It’s true that Henk was indeed taking a significant risk by traveling to Moscow on a tourist visa to secure Tetris rights, with much at stake when different parties vied for those rights. Similarly, under the Soviet regime, Alexey took a substantial risk by welcoming this American businessman into his home and forming a friendship with him.
Have you had any interactions or conversations with Alexey Pajitnov during the creation of Tetris Forever? I’m curious to hear about your encounters or discussions with this captivating and intriguing individual.
I’ve chatted with Alexey on several occasions, but the opportunity to spend extended time with him during this project and listen to his captivating tales while recording video segments was truly enjoyable. Additionally, when we brought Alexey and Henk together, they seemed to feed off each other’s energy, creating even more compelling stories – it’s clear that their strong bond, which is the foundation of the game’s enduring popularity, still exists today.
What is your favourite Tetris incarnation of all time and why?
Initially, I shared that I wasn’t particularly skilled at Tetris. However, when we embarked on this project, I felt compelled to improve! To achieve this, I revisited a game I had dabbled with during its initial VR release – Tetris Effect by Tetsuya Mizuguchi and the team at Enhance. As our goal was to interview Mizuguchi-san about Tetris Effect in relation to Tetris Forever, I also desired a Switch-compatible Tetris game for practice. After completing the final stage, I was quite elated! Although I’m hardly an expert yet, I can confidently say that my skills have significantly improved. Additionally, I must admit that Tetris Effect’s aesthetics are stunning – in my opinion, it’s the finest Tetris ever created.
Since Tetris was highly successful in the West, especially on the Nintendo Game Boy, I’m curious if you have any information about why the excellent Tetris Battle Gaiden didn’t get a Western release. I’m thrilled to see it available on Forever as I think it’s one of the less recognized Super Famicom games from the past.
During that period, Nintendo held the global licensing rights for Tetris everywhere except Japan, where Bullet-Proof Software (BPS), owned by Henk Rogers, retained the rights. This predicament prevented BPS from distributing these games beyond Japan’s borders. However, this restriction meant that fans outside Japan were missing out on some fantastic Tetris versions like Tetris Battle Gaiden, produced by BPS, as well as other games such as Tetris 2 + Bombliss for the Famicom and Super Tetris 3, which offers a range of intriguing variations. I’m optimistic that fans outside Japan will finally have the opportunity to experience these versions of Tetris for the first time! Undeniably, Tetris Battle Gaiden is what has everyone buzzing due to its unique gameplay and two-player fun factor.
What do you think it is that makes the Tetris concept so addictive and compulsive?
it swiftly immerses players in a state of focused engagement, known as “the zone,” by providing an unadulterated gameplay loop that matches your skill level.
Were any of the titles on Forever tricky to emulate or recreate, and why?
As a dedicated enthusiast, I’ve meticulously crafted a faithful replica of the 1984 Tetris version, which was Alexey Pajitnov’s brainchild on the Electronika 60 computer. This wasn’t just a casual project; it required deep dives into the original game, even watching old videos of Alexey playing it on an authentic Electronika setup. Every aspect, from the character placement to the game’s behavior, was carefully studied and replicated to recapture the unique feel of the classic game. The monitor bezel is a photograph of an actual vintage Electronika monitor, a piece of history that now graces the Tetris office in Honolulu.
The Spectrum Holobyte Apple II game is more complex than console games due to the need to manually adjust a computer keyboard-controlled game for use with a joystick. Additionally, one must consider the current state of the game – whether in a menu or gameplay – to assign appropriate controls. For instance, during a menu, you’d want “Down” on the directional pad to move the cursor down, but in gameplay, “Down” would drop a piece. Since these are distinct keys, it’s essential to know the game state for proper button assignment. This is only one example of why vintage computer games aren’t frequently emulated in console collections. However, our experience from projects like The Making of Karateka and Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story has equipped us with engineer-designers who are now adept at handling such tasks.
What kind of games do you guys like to play in your spare time?
If there’s any free moment in my schedule, I’ll definitely keep you updated! Ha ha! To be honest, I’m somewhat serious and somewhat joking – I’ve been making an effort to set aside time during work days for competitive analysis as part of my job responsibilities. In my leisure time, I’ve become quite engrossed in the new Zelda game and have been eagerly watching Mario & Luigi RPG trailers. I really hope I can find a chance to immerse myself in these games during my upcoming break, perhaps over the holidays.
Can you tell us what your favourite puzzle titles of all time are, Tetris aside?
Have you noticed that I’ve completed every Professor Layton game in both Japanese and English versions? Can you tell me when the next installment is due for release, as it’s yet another title I should make room for in my schedule.
If you’ve never experienced Tetris before, let me tell you about a unique package we have that introduces you to this classic game through an engaging documentary and captivating games. The documentary offers a fascinating look into the history, development, and cultural impact of Tetris, while the games provide a fun and interactive way for you to learn and play. I’m particularly proud of the comprehensive approach we’ve taken in this package, as it not only provides entertainment but also offers an educational experience that dives deep into the world of Tetris.
To begin with, I’d like to extend my admiration for being the sole individual worldwide who hasn’t experienced Tetris yet. This captivating game boasts an intriguing tale that dates back to 1984 when it was developed in the Soviet Union. The narrative of its escape from behind the Iron Curtain and subsequent global domination is a tale worth delving into, one that we explore comprehensively within this game. It’s not merely a compilation of Tetris games; instead, it offers an immersive journey through Tetris history. This journey allows you to interact with historical versions of the game as you uncover its origins and future trajectory. By the conclusion, I hope you’ll comprehend why it’s titled “Tetris Forever.
Tetris Forever is coming to PC and consoles on November 12th.
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2024-10-22 19:16