16-Year-Old Achieves Historic Tetris Rebirth
The Tetris community has celebrated a major milestone as 16-year-old Michael “dogplayingtetris” Artiaga becomes the first player to clear level 255, achieving the mythical “rebirth.” In Tetris parlance, this refers to reaching the game’s highest possible level and looping back to the beginning.
As reported by Ars Technica, Artiaga accomplished the feat before hundreds of Twitch viewers, clearing approximately 3,300 lines over 80 minutes. This milestone was deemed impossible until the advent of techniques like rolling and hypertapping, which have inspired a new generation of Tetris players.
@dogplayingtris just became the first person to get the NES Tetris rebirth. He made it all the way to level 255, then the game wrapped around and restarted from level 0. pic.twitter.com/Igwa2fIrmJ
— SummoningSalt (@summoningsalt) October 6, 2024
Notably, Artiaga played on a special version of the Tetris NES ROM that prevents the game from crashing after reaching level 155. Earlier this year, fellow teen and Tetris expert Willis “Blue Scuti” Gibson became the first to beat Tetris by hitting a crash point at level 157. Following this level, crash points proliferate, making further progress nearly impossible.
Despite the technical advantages, Artiaga’s achievement remains impressive. The NES version of Tetris contains a glitch at level 235 that requires players to clear an astounding 810 lines, a daunting task at the fastest pace. Artiaga spent about 20 minutes on this level alone, exclaiming he had “seen the light” upon successfully finishing it.
“Oh my god, I’m so glad that game is over, bro,” Artiaga stated. “I never want to play this game again… I was starting to lose my mind.”
Fans have celebrated Artiaga’s accomplishment online, not just for this historic first but also for proving that endless play is possible in Tetris. Speculation is already swirling about who might achieve the first “double rebirth.” If recent trends continue, such a feat may not be far off, considering it’s been less than a year since Blue Scuti beat Tetris and began experimenting with crashes.
Expert Opinions
Discussion with Tetris Experts
The achievement prompted insights and discussion among Tetris experts:
Dr. Janet Mean, Game Design Researcher
“Michael’s accomplishment shows that gaming has evolved significantly. Techniques that were once thought to be mere tricks have now become essential strategies.”
Professor Robert Tile, Competitive Gaming Analyst
“The rebirth concept in Tetris is fascinating; it’s a testament to not just skill, but also innovation in gameplay. The question now is what limits will we see pushed next.”
Claire Lines, Professional Tetris Player
“Achieving a rebirth is revolutionary for our community, opening up discussions on scoring systems, longevity, and competitive play in Tetris.”
What are your thoughts on this groundbreaking achievement? Can we expect more historic moments like this in the Tetris community? Share your comments below!
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