Pollard Banknote signs Tetris license

Created in 1984 by Russian-born mathematician Alexey Pajitnov, the Tetris game revolutionized puzzle games with distinctive “falling” blocks, called Tetriminos, that players could arrange in real time along the bottom of the rectangular playing field, or “matrix,” in order to clear lines. To date, hundreds of millions of units have been sold.

Pollard Banknote anticipates that the engaging game mechanics of the Tetris game will naturally translate into the instant game market. 

“This is an exciting, interactive brand among our offerings that goes well beyond a traditional instant game,” said Sina Aiello, Director, Licensed Products, Pollard Banknote. “The nature of this brand invites cross-promotion with other Tetris licensees, making for a great value-added player experience.”

The Tetris brand’s key elements allow Pollard Banknote to extend the game play beyond the instant ticket. Among the many exciting possibilities for enhancing play are second chance draws for Tetris-themed merchandise.

And the market for Tetris games is significant: since the Tetris game’s creation, it has been translated into more than 50 languages and is played in more than 50 countries worldwide. Guinness World Records’ 2009 Gamers Edition named the game number 2 on its “Top 50 Console Games of All Time” list. In 2010, the Tetris game also became the best-selling mobile phone game of all time by surpassing 100 million paid mobile downloads. 

“This new agreement with Pollard Banknote is an energizing venture for us as a company and for our fans,” said Henk Rogers, CEO, Blue Planet Software. “In addition to the strong cross-promotion possibilities, our continued expansion with new licensees gives Tetris players increased access to the game with fresh, clever ways to ‘play.’ With instant-win games, we have an opportunity to interact with and reward our fans in a different way than we ever have.”

This license was brokered with Pollard Banknote by Licensing Works! on behalf of Blue Planet Software, Inc. and The Tetris Company.

Pollard Banknote offers a completely integrated marketing solution for licensed games, including ticket design and manufacturing, prize structure consultation, merchandise selection and fulfillment, publicity and promotional opportunities, and second chance draw process management (including all customer service, Internet marketing, and post-game analysis).