Boom! Tetris. Game Developers Conference organizers are thrilled to reveal that Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov is coming to GDC 2024 with Croatian developer Vedran Klanac to talk about a whole new side of the iconic puzzle game. Discover the untold story of Tetris Reversed, a lost prototype resurfacing after a decade.
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Unearthing “Tetris Reversed”: A Tale of Rediscovery and Collaboration marks the first in-person meeting of two developers who've been working together on something truly special. Croatian game developer Vedran Klanac found himself in the possession of a never before released prototype of Tetris that he had programmed with design documents passed on to him by a middleman from none other than the creator of Tetris himself, Alexey Pajitnov. Unfortunately, this meant that Alexey and Vedran have never directly corresponded, spoken, or even met each other in person.
Hear their journey, see never before shown gameplay, and witness the historic first in-person meeting of both developers. Gain insights into another hidden layer of Tetris' history, the challenges of remote collaboration, and the serendipity of rediscovery. Join Alexey, Vedran, and moderator Kate Edwards for an intimate exploration of game development's global reach and the enduring impact of a game icon.
In a statement to GDC, Alexey shared the importance of preserving classic games (like Tetris) and honoring their history—while recognizing the unique challenges associated with video game preservation.
“Games are now a regular part of human culture, so the preservation of the best examples of the medium should be a normal and natural part of this culture, as museums are for fine arts or libraries have been for literature," he said. "However, there are some particular technical challenges, as this game culture is still very young and it's technically intensive and dependent.”
This talk is ideal for game developers interested in the backstory of Tetris and the dynamics of game development. It appeals to those intrigued by collaborative efforts between developers, and anyone curious about the creative process behind iconic games and the individuals who bring them to life.
Join us at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco this March 18-22 and be the first to see exclusive gameplay footage, hear tales of the serendipitous rediscovery, and witness the historic meeting between Vedran Klanac and Alexey Pajitnov. Only at GDC!
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GDC returns to San Francisco this March 18-22, 2024—and registration is open! For more information, be sure to visit our website and follow the #GDC2024 hashtag on social media.
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