The video game Tetris is one of the most popular games of all time. Millions of people around the world have played Tetris, and it has been ported to virtually every platform imaginable. But where did this classic game originate?
The Birth of Tetris
Tetris was created by a man named Alexey Pajitnov. Pajitnov was born in Moscow, Russia, in 1956. He was a computer programmer who worked for the Soviet government in the 1980s. While working on a computer program, Pajitnov came up with the idea for Tetris.
Early Versions of Tetris
The first version of Tetris was created on Pajitnov’s Elektronika 60 computer. The game was very basic and only had a few shapes. Pajitnov created the game to test the capabilities of his computer.
Soon after creating the game, Pajitnov shared it with his friends and colleagues. They all loved it and encouraged him to share it with the world.
The Spread of Tetris
In 1984, Tetris was shown at a computer fair in Budapest, Hungary. A British software company called Andromeda Software saw the game and was impressed. They approached Pajitnov about licensing the game for distribution in the West.
The rights to Tetris were eventually acquired by a company called Mirrorsoft, which partnered with a U.S. company called Spectrum HoloByte to distribute the game. Tetris was an instant hit and was ported to many different platforms, including the Nintendo Game Boy.
The Legal Battle over Tetris
Despite its success, the legal ownership of Tetris was a contentious issue. The Soviet government claimed ownership of the game, while Pajitnov argued that he should have the rights.
In the end, the rights to Tetris were sold to a Dutch company called Elorg. Elorg then licensed the game to various companies around the world.
The Legacy of Tetris
Tetris remains one of the most popular video games of all time. It has been ported to over 65 different platforms and has sold over 200 million copies worldwide.
The game has also inspired countless imitators and spin-offs. Its simple gameplay and addictive nature have made it a classic that has stood the test of time.
Conclusion
So, to answer the question, the video game Tetris was originally created in Russia by Alexey Pajitnov. The game’s popularity quickly spread around the world and it has become an enduring classic of the video game industry.
