Tetris (DOS, AcademySoft)

Tetris
Developer: Vadim Gerasimov Publishers: AcademySoft (1986), Elorg (1988) Platform: DOS Released internationally: November 12, 2024 (Tetris Forever) Released in RU: 1986 This game has hidden developer credits. This game has revisional differences. This game has a prototype article

The 1986 DOS Tetris is one of the earliest versions of the game, and is currently the oldest version covered on this site - unless something pageworthy is discovered in the Electronika 60 version.

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Prototype Info

Alternate Save Keys

At the bottom of the setup screen is the message "Press SPACE to start, INS to save setup". There are three keys that have the latter function: INS, R, and 0. The latter two keys aren't documented anywhere, and it's very difficult to discover without disassembly (as saving gives no audiovisual indication of success).

Revisional Differences

Version 1.0	Version 3.12

The title screen became slightly fancier in newer versions, gaining an outline around the game's name. The color cycling also affects the whole title screen in v3.12, rather than just the logo in v1.0. In addition, a trademark symbol was added and the R was touched up.

• Internally speaking, v1.0 is a .com file and v3.12 is an .exe file.
• v1.0 lacked the function that made it so the game's speed was consistent on any machine; v3.12 added that function.

Version 1.0	Version 3.12

• v1.0 only allowed the player to set their level. A new setup screen was added to v3.12. It also added the option to set how much garbage the player starts with. Phantom mode was also added here.

Version 1.0	Version 3.12

• v1.0 uses Σ (sigma) to show the sum. This was changed to "Sum" in v3.12, likely because the Greek letter didn't show up properly with some encodings.
• The score is shown in brown in v1.0 and yellow in v3.12.
• v3.12 added a pause key, and now displays the restart key upon a game over.

Hidden Credits

A small Easter egg was added in v3.12. When the "game over" message appears, press Ctrl+A, Ctrl+D to display a copyright message at the top of the screen:

Unlike the other text in the game, this message is XOR-encrypted to prevent tampering.

(Source: Original TCRF research)