Henk Rogers Discusses the Real Story of Tetris
Henk Rogers, initially shocked by the Hollywood liberties taken in the Tetris movie script, was motivated to set the record straight, leading to his book, The Perfect Game. Rogers found the movie's high-stakes spy thriller portrayal a far cry from the reality of securing Tetris rights in the Soviet Union and befriending its creator, Alexey Pajitnov. This spurred him to document the true story behind the game's global rise and his broader game career.
The Perfect Game begins with Rogers' early life, spanning the Netherlands, New York City, Hawaii, and eventually Japan, where he established Bullet-Proof Software and launched the RPG The Black Onyx. The book delves into the complexities of early game development, including publisher relations, funding, and navigating the Japanese market as a non-Japanese speaker. The narrative intensifies at CES in 1988, where Rogers discovered Tetris, recognizing its unique appeal and resolving to publish it in Japan.
Navigating Soviet copyright laws proved challenging, requiring frequent trips between the Soviet Union and Japan and interactions with Nintendo executives like Shigeru Miyamoto and Soviet trade organization representatives. Rogers' detailed account, primarily based on memory, is enriched by Pajitnov's inserted perspectives, offering humorous disagreements on minor details.
While lacking the movie's Hollywood embellishments, The Perfect Game provides insights into game development, covering Rogers' career, including founding The Tetris Company and expanding the game's availability across platforms. The book also touches on pivotal moments in gaming history, from the Game Boy's launch to the emergence of mobile gaming. The book highlights Tetris' lasting legacy, complementing the movie and Digital Eclipse’s Tetris Forever documentary. Rogers, now less involved in the business managed by his daughter Maya, views Tetris' continued success as a source of pride. Despite his initial reservations, Rogers ultimately appreciated the Tetris movie, finding it “emotionally correct.”
