Tetris, the iconic puzzle game celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, has taken center stage in various exhibits and events around the world. The classic game's simple yet addictive mechanics have captivated audiences for decades.
One of the most notable Tetris-related stories comes from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts, where an exhibit called 'Video Game Console Wars' is showcasing video game history from 1976 to 2001. In this exhibit, a friendly competition among students and faculty for the highest score on Tetris using the Nintendo Entertainment System console has been ongoing.
Arthur Carlson, a university archivist at WPI, holds the current high score in this competition. However, earlier this year, a 13-year-old gamer became the first player to beat the same Nintendo Entertainment System version of Tetris by advancing so many levels that it couldn't keep up.
Madelyn Veccia, a game design student at WPI, is inspired by Tetris and its history in video game design. She watched a YouTube video about the history of the game and was amazed by how people could 'tear apart' this old game through speed-running.
Meanwhile, MIT students created a Tetris display using colored lights in the windows of a building, while Oat Foundry built a giant split-flap display Tetris and Electronoobs created a flip-dot Tetris. There are even oscilloscope versions for workbenches without extra screens or AVR platform ports.
Tetris's influence on video game design is undeniable, with its simple yet engaging mechanics paving the way for future games. The 'From NAND to Tetris' course builds a Tetris game from the ground up, demonstrating how computing concepts can be applied in practice.
As we celebrate Tetris's 40th anniversary, it is fascinating to see how this classic game has stood the test of time and continues to inspire new generations of gamers and designers.
