The Tetris Effect Audiobook By Dan Ackerman cover art

The Tetris Effect

The Game that Hypnotized the World

Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection of titles.
Yours as long as you’re a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for $8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Tetris Effect

By: Dan Ackerman
Narrated by: Dan Ackerman
Try Standard free

$8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $22.49

Buy for $22.49

Tetris is perhaps the most instantly recognizable, popular video game ever made. But the fascinating story of its origins is lesser known. How did an obscure Soviet programmer, working on frail, antiquated computers, create a product that has earned nearly $1 billion in sales? How did an inspired, makeshift game turn into a worldwide sensation, which has been displayed at the Museum of Modern Art, inspired a Hollywood movie, and been played in outer space?
In this surprising, trivia-filled audiobook, tech reporter Dan Ackerman describes how, as a teenager behind the Iron Curtain, Alexey Pajitnov was struck with inspiration, then meticulously worked for years to bring the game he had envisioned to life. Ackerman shows how Tetris worked its way first through Pajitnov's office and then out into the world, entrancing player after player with its hypnotic shapes. Then, tracing the stories of the British, American, and Japanese moguls who raced each other for the rights, Ackerman recounts the game's complex and improbable path to global success. The Tetris Effect is an homage to both creator and creation, and a perfect gift for anyone who's ever played the game-which is to say everyone.
Programming & Software Development Game Technology Software Development Programming Software Engineering Imperial Japan
Fascinating History • Compelling Story • Endearing Author Narration • Great Historical Account

Highly rated for:

All stars
Most relevant
I understand that the author narrated this as well which I find endearing but in the end the execution was lacking. Should’ve considered someone else not the least because oddly enough (usually I complain about the slowness) he read way too damn fast. It was like he wanted to finish as quickly as possible. Otherwise this is compelling story about more than just a legendary video game. It involves business and political intrigue. How can you lose?

My rating is a bit unusual

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I absolutely loved this book! I recommend it to anyone who is interested in business, gaming, or programming.

Well worth my time

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Fascinating story and get well written. There are some jarring audio patches where we suddenly change narrators for a sentence or two and they're really bad, but other than that, it was solid.

Fun Read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

HANK ROGERS IS THE REAL HERO OF TETRIS. GOD BLESS THAT MAN. HE IS THE MOST GENEROUS AND KIND AND BRILLIANT BUSINESS MAN EVER HOLY SHIT WHAT A COOL GUY I HOPE HE'S DOING AND I HOPE HE KNOWS HE'S A GOD

TETRIS

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Feels more like a series of tech blogs with a word count they needed to hit instead of a cohesive story. Bits of info are repeated often, and awkward tangents abound. The content itself is interesting, just maybe needed another edit.

And on a technical level the audio quality varies wildly. A lot of jarring edits.

Interesting Content, bad structure

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews