Early Development

• 1984: Alexey Pajitnov developed Tetris at the Soviet Academy of Sciences. The game was inspired by a puzzle game and initially ran on the Electronika 60 computer. The name "Tetris" comes from the Greek word "tetra," meaning four, as all the blocks are made up of four squares.

Global Popularity

• 1989: Nintendo ported Tetris to the Game Boy, quickly sparking a global craze. This version's success made Tetris one of the most popular games on home consoles and handheld devices, selling tens of millions of copies.

Copyright Controversy

• In the early distribution of Tetris, several copyright disputes arose. Although Pajitnov wanted to sell the game legally, it spread in Europe as free copies due to the restrictions of the Soviet system. It wasn't until 1996 that Pajitnov and Dutch designer Henk Rogers co-founded The Tetris Company, officially securing the game's copyright.

Modern Evolution

• With technological advancements, Tetris has continually evolved, producing numerous versions and variants, including 3D versions and new gameplay that combines elements from other classic games. For example, Tetris Effect enhances player experience through unique sound and visual effects.

In summary, the success of Tetris not only propelled the development of block games but also had a profound impact on the entire video game industry. Today, block games continue to be beloved by players across various platforms.