Gaming
esports
Go inside Red Bull Tetris® with Tetris Creator Alexey Pajitnov
From phone to drone, Red Bull Tetris® is putting a new twist on the iconic game. See what the legend himself has to say about this version of the beloved game.
Red Bull Tetris® is well and truly underway, inviting players everywhere to discover the fast-paced format and test their skills. If you’re among them, stacking your Tetriminos and sharpening your strategies, you’re also playing for a chance to be part of gaming history at the World Final in Dubai, where thousands of drones will bring the first official live playable Tetris game in the sky to life.
Now, in the first of our interviews with legends in Tetris history, none other than the creator of Tetris himself – Alexey Pajitnov – shares his inspiration, his advice for climbing the Red Bull Tetris leaderboard, and why December’s World Final will fulfil a dream he’s held for 40 years.
When you created Tetris in the 1980s, you set off a chain reaction that would redefine gaming forever. What inspired you?
I did it purely for fun. I didn't have any commercial or business reasons – I just wanted to find happiness for myself. All of a sudden, the game became very popular. I was very lucky to come up with such a fun and addictive game – I don't want to be shy about that!
Pajitnov seen early in his career
© The Tetris Company
Now, four decades later, the Red Bull Tetris tournament features a high-speed, three-minute version that anybody can play on their phone. Initial reactions?
The spirit of Red Bull is a perfect fit with the spirit of our game. It’s all about focus and excitement. I played Red Bull Tetris, and I found it very exciting – I enjoy the concept of multipliers, which creates a very dynamic and interesting rhythm for each round.
How do you find it in terms of gaming competitively?
Red Bull Tetris has created a really good dynamic to the competitive side. I believe Red Bull Tetris is an important step in the game’s player-versus-player progression.
Whether someone is playing Red Bull Tetris just for fun or with an eye toward earning a spot in the World Final, what will it take to improve their Tetris skills?
There’s a serious level of concentration required to truly focus on the game, and experience is very important. Additionally, eye-hand coordination is especially important for playing at high speeds. What’s great is that while mastery takes deep dedication, players of every level can see progress just by practising.
Having Tetris played in the sky with drones is something I really want to experience
The World Final will be historic, with all those drones creating a live, playable game in the Dubai Frame. But of course, when it comes to Tetris, you’ve seen it all, so how are you feeling about it?
I'm so excited. Throughout the history of Tetris, I’ve dreamed of seeing Tetris played on giant buildings or even in Times Square. But my biggest dream was to see it played with drones. I’ve never been to Dubai, but having Tetris played in the sky with drones is something I really want to experience, and I’m very excited to see my dream manifest in reality. The game still brings me so much excitement, and Red Bull Tetris is proof of that!
Ready to get in the game? Learn more about Red Bull Tetris, and start playing, here.
