The Perfect Game - Tetris: From Russia With Love

Visionary entrepreneur and gaming legend Henk Rogers takes readers on a thrilling journey through the high-stakes world of video game development in his new book, The Perfect Game - Tetris: From Russia with Love, out now. This compelling memoir offers unparalleled insight into his extraordinary life. Featuring a foreword by Marc Benioff—cloud computing pioneer and co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Salesforce—the book chronicles Rogers’ groundbreaking contributions to the gaming industry, his relentless pursuit of innovation, and his deep commitment to sustainable energy. 

Born in the Netherlands and raised in New York, Rogers has led a life of adventure, innovation, and fearless ambition. His journey has taken him across the globe—from Hawaii to Japan to the Soviet Union and beyond. The Perfect Game - Tetris: From Russia with Love explores his early days programming The Black Onyx, Japan’s first major role-playing game, before immersing readers in his daring quest to secure the rights to Tetris. Facing off against the KGB, navigating corporate conflicts with the Maxwells, and playing a pivotal role in Nintendo’s Game Boy launch, Rogers’ fearless determination forever reshaped the gaming landscape.

"I am excited to offer readers an honest, non-Hollywood perspective on my life story," says Henk Rogers of the book, contrasting it with the 2023 AppleTV+ movie. "I hope it inspires readers to pursue their passions with unwavering determination."

Since its creation in 1984, Tetris has become one of the most iconic and beloved video games in history. What started as a simple puzzle has evolved into an enduring symbol of creativity and strategy, leaving its mark on everything from fashion and music to film and art. Rogers’ relentless pursuit didn’t just change gaming—it cemented Tetris as a cornerstone of pop culture history, captivating generations worldwide. 

The Perfect Game - Tetris: From Russia with Love is a must-read for video game enthusiasts, history buffs, and advocates of technological innovation. More than just a business story, it’s an inspiring testament to risk-taking, unwavering resilience, and the pursuit of a world-changing vision.

ABOUT HENK ROGERS

Henk Rogers is a visionary entrepreneur and gaming industry pioneer, renowned for bringing Tetris to the global market and transforming it into one of the best-selling and most influential video game brands in history. 

A native of the Netherlands, Rogers moved to New York City in 1964, where he attended Stuyvesant High School and programmed his first computer. After majoring in computer science and “minoring in Dungeons and Dragons” at the University of Hawaii, he moved to Japan in 1976 and became a trailblazer in the country’s gaming industry. He founded Bullet-Proof Software and developed The Black Onyx, Japan’s first role-playing game, which became the #1 game in Japan in 1984. His discovery of Tetris at the 1988 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas set the stage for one of gaming’s most dramatic business deals. Traveling to Moscow, he navigated tense negotiations with the Soviet Union, outmaneuvered corporate giants, and ultimately secured the handheld rights for Nintendo’s Game Boy, a move that forever reshaped the gaming industry.

Rogers has been instrumental in turning Tetris into a global cultural phenomenon, with hundreds of millions of copies sold worldwide. His extraordinary journey was the inspiration for the 2023 Apple TV+ film Tetris.

Beyond his achievements in gaming, Rogers is a leading advocate for sustainability and renewable energy. He founded Blue Planet Foundation to drive Hawaii’s transition to 100% renewable energy, and in 2021, he launched Blue Planet Alliance, which helps communities worldwide break free from fossil fuels. Whether shaping the future of gaming or fighting for a sustainable planet, Rogers continues to push boundaries, proving that his visionary spirit extends far beyond the digital world.