The Man Behind Tetris Shifts Focus to Climate and Space
Renowned for his role in transforming Tetris into a global sensation, Henk Rogers is now channeling his efforts toward climate change and extraterrestrial human settlements. After a life-changing heart attack, Rogers redirected his ambitions from profit to planet.
Henk Rogers, alongside Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov, was pivotal in introducing the iconic game beyond the borders of the Soviet Union during the 1980s. His journey with Tetris was so captivating that it inspired a recent Apple TV thriller featuring Taron Egerton.
Recently, Rogers visited the Outernet in central London, which celebrated Tetris’ 40th anniversary with a sprawling 23,000 square-foot multiplayer display. “I came here not really knowing what it was going to be, and it was way better than I imagined,” Rogers reflected.
From Gaming to Global Challenges
Rogers’ perspective shifted dramatically after surviving a near-fatal heart attack in 2005. “In that ambulance on the way to the hospital, I said, ‘No, I’m not going,'” Rogers recalled. “‘I still have stuff to do.'”
His renewed mission focuses on addressing the climate crisis through initiatives like the Blue Planet Alliance and Blue Planet Energy, which aim to facilitate a transition to a fossil fuel-free future. “We are all living in what I would consider a lifeboat, and the lifeboat has holes in it,” he stated, emphasizing the urgency of tackling environmental degradation.
Exploring New Frontiers in Space
In addition to his environmental endeavors, Rogers is delving into the realm of space exploration. While the likes of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson vie in the billionaire space race, Rogers sets his sights on what comes after reaching outer space.
He envisions constructing habitable settlements on the moon and Mars through the International Moonbase Alliance, established in 2017. Collaborating with NASA, the alliance has conducted missions to simulate extraterrestrial environments.
Rogers remarked, “As far as we can tell, there’s no other place in the universe that has our life as we know it.” He views establishing a “backup of life” beyond Earth as essential.
Staying Connected to Gaming
Despite his expanded focus, Rogers continues to influence the gaming industry as president of The Tetris Company. However, he expresses concern over the violent nature of modern esports: “I made a vow early in my career as a computer game designer that I would never work on a game that I didn’t want my children to play.”
Even though he has distanced himself from being an active gamer, Rogers enjoys engaging in competitive sports like table tennis and pickleball to maintain his fitness, stating that he needs the element of competition to enjoy exercising.
