Infocom presents Tetris

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on February 24, 2002). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

Y’know, you might only get this if you’ve been using computers for a long time…but I think it’s hilarious. Royce will, too, if he hasn’t seen it already (or, perhaps, if it’s just been a while). Tom will probably understand too. The rest of you…well, you’ll just have to bear with us ‘old-timers’.

Basically, Infocom was a company that did some of the earliest computer games, back when everything was completely text-based. Think Zork, or the origininal Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy game. If you have to ask…you won’t get it.

You are looking at the shaft. A large red block, four units by one
unit, is above your head, dropping slowly. It has its long edge
horizontally aligned.

>turn the block

I don't know how to "turn" something.
The block descends lower.

>rotate block

The block rotates in mid air, now with the long edge vertically
aligned.
The block descends lower.

>move block left

The block shifts to the left.
The block descends lower.

>drop block

You aren't holding the block.
The block descends lower.

>move block down

The block drops into the narrow gap, filling the four columns.
The columns flash twice, then vanish, dropping the blocks
above them down.  A musical tone is heard.

[Your score increased by 20!]

A square grey block, two units by two units, is now overhead,
slowly dropping.

— This is from a post I found that was originally posted to alt.religion.kibology, by Dave A. Largtigue.