Chapter 304: Tetris II

A lot of people were quite interested in what Alexander Creed was going to do next.

Unfortunately, they could only speculate on what it could be.

Creed's actions are generally quite popular but they are quite privvy with how they are going about with their projects.

Of course, Milica doesn't have to share those same pondering speculations that others have to do. She doesn't have much problem getting information since she could directly confront the person behind everything.

She could even do it while both of them were playing the two-player version of the game.

Playing Tetris against Alex was fun but it was not as fun as asking him about it.

"Why are these rainbow-colored pieces and whole puzzle called Tetris, Alex?" She was even able to ask the very question that many Tetris-engrossed players wanted to ask.

"Because of Tetra and tennis." Alexander had debated on changing this name but since he had secured a favorable deal against Pajitnov, the classic and roll-of-the-tongue name was preserved.

At least, it wasn't another Transformers and Cybertronian Chronicles scenario.

"What's Tetra?" When in a questioning drive, Milla just goes with it.

"Tetra means four in Greek." Well, he was in an answering mood so he obliged. "As for why it's four, it's because whether it be the line piece, the square piece, z-pieces, or the L-pieces, they all have four little parts that make them up. Also, the max lane that you could clear in one go is four. Going by in-game lore, that would be a Tetris."

Of course, Tetris would just be the max for Classic Tetris, since Alexander was eventually going to upgrade to Tetris Effect with the Zone mechanics that allow for insane feats such as the Decahexatris and the Infinitris.

"As for what you'd call the rainbow-colored pieces, it's just Tetrominoes. This ultimately brings it back to the physical puzzle game that this computer marvel is based on, the Pentominoes."

It was obvious that he had established a lot for this game already and Milla could only comment. "I didn't notice that this was what you were doing the whole time."

Milla added. "When you said you were going to do games this year, I thought you were just going to start things out. You know, like how movies have a lot of preparation to do before really doing stuff."

"Well, Tetris is different since it has been made ever since 1984. It's actually been in development at around the same time as Creed Comics' conception and debut."

"Wait, does that mean that you were already making games back then?" Milica was suspicious. "I thought you were only playing around the computer since the 5th grade started."

"I didn't really do much. The scoring, the gameplay, the mechanics, and the terminologies are from the original team that developed it from scratch. All I did is just some necessary upgrades and code corrections to an already developed game." With his capabilities, Alexander could work out something like Tetris in a matter of days. He could do it without a proper game engine and just using the barebones of codes. Even more so when there is an existing program to tinker with.

The utterance of 'upgrades' and 'code corrections' just made Milla suspicious about something though. "Why do I feel like you are much better at doing this techy computer stuff than the storytelling, drawing, and music that you are already great at?"

She really didn't know anything about game development at all but her mom did tell her about it.

It was still unclear to both of them but they did know that it was about crazy computer stuff. What's crazier is Alex actually knows a lot about it.

Established Creed audiences were clamoring about the reveal of Alexander Creed being a game developer. But everyone who knew Alex was quite shocked by this as well.

It was clear that the whole Tetris thing has been in the works for a while and Creed employees had been working with the arcade Tetris machines and software. However, it was also just recently that a spotlight had been shone on the whole developer thing.

Her self, her mom, and even grandpa Sullivan didn't know how Alex had done it!

In any case, just like how the Tetris-processing Creed employees treated it as one of their little boss's blossoming talents... the newly enlightened will just treat it that way as well.

Alexander was counting on that. However, just in case, he did have some "reasonable" explanations to turn to. "I just picked up my dad's leftover programming and computer books. I read it, I learned it, and I practiced it. It isn't that big of a deal."

As much as Milla wanted to cling to suspicions, she was much more believing due to her childish innocence and due to every impressive thing her talented friend had done so far. "You're just amazing, Alex!"

"Like I said, it isn't that big of a deal." Alexander wasn't doing a humble brag. He just didn't want to shine more spotlight on this talent of his.

Then again, his first "reasonable" reasoning seemed to have worked on Milla since it's just Milla.

He could only hope that he could continue this streak on other non-Milla people.

After all, he had other "reasonable" explanations but that's best left for Old Sullivan. The old man is expected to have much more scrutiny of his grandson's game development talent that came out of nowhere.

Anyways, Old Sullivan is still busy with Top Gun production and that confrontation could still be postponed for a while.

On the matter of Top Gun production, Alexander did have something to discuss with Milla about that. "By the way, do you find something familiar about the game's theme song?"

"Not really." The girl was confused. "What's so special about it?"

It would seem that she doesn't know of the Russian folk song that the Tetris theme is based on. Alexander could still make do with that. "Well, you were wondering about Creed Music being put on hold due to the focus on games. I just want you to know that both games and music could still go hand in hand like this."

"It's not bad but..." Milla admittedly did not like this development though. "...I really thought you were going to focus on something like the S'mores and true music this year. This is like comic books and Terminator all over again."

Well, the Tetris song actually topped the music charts of many countries but Alexander had to appease her without divulging future knowledge. "What I mean is music and games could pair up in many ways. Just take this adapted folk song of "Korobeiniki" for example, it is music for the Tetris game... but it ties music and game in another way."

"How?" Milla was intrigued. Alex wasn't usually this flowery.

"Well, everything about Tetris has roots in your home nation of the USSR and I kind of wanted to thank you and Miss Galina for everything." Tetris was lauded as the Soviet game that took over the world for a reason.

Milla had her interpretation of his words though. "Alex, did you do all this for me?!"

"Uhm... that's not exactly what I'm trying to say." He corrected. "If anything, I kind of wanted to thank Miss Galina for helping quite a lot for the Tetris deal to happen."

"Mom?" Milla was confused.

"If you didn't know, Miss Galina was actually a big help with Creed Games acquiring Tetris." Alexander wasn't just talking about the fact that Miss Galina was the legal team's English-to-Russian translator and vice versa.

He was talking about the fact that her former actress clout had given them a chance to bypass strict USSR state departments like Elorg and win out against every potential complications that plagued the Tetris copyright of the past timeline.

Novotrade, the Hungarian game publisher. Robert Stein, an international software salesman for the London-based firm Andromeda Software. Gary Carlston, co-founder of Broderbund. Martin Alper and Mastertronic. Henk Rogers of Bullet-Proof Software.

Then there are the major players like Mirrorsoft, Spectrum HoloByte, Atari, Tengen, and last but not least is Nintendo.

Alexander was supposed to be bidding and fighting against all those companies and personalities for the true rights of Tetris.

Miss Galina was the very ace that let him win before the battle could even begin.

Alexander may be cold and indifferent but he is still grateful to those he is grateful for.

"Why are you talking to me then?" Milla was a bit down. Alex was rarely flowery and thankful but it was actually for her mother and not her. "You should talk to mom when she's the one you want to thank."

"I already did, many moons ago, when the Tetris deal was finalized." Alexander explained as he took out a folder he had set aside. "I'm just going to extend that gratitude to you with this."

"I don't want it." She held a grudge while being curious. "But what is it?"

"It's a song but not for my games." He said. "It's actually for Top Gun. That is if you're interested?"

Strangely enough... like Tetris, Milla, and Miss Galina... this song was USSR-themed as well. That was just in terms of the original Berlin band that recorded it though.

At least, with Milla, it would be authentically USSR.

In any case, a song for a movie was enough to quell her petty displeasure as she grabbed it right away. "Gimme!"

Of course, after reading the lyrics and an actual music video proposal, she was pretty ecstatic and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Alex!"

"Yeah, yeah." Alexander was trying to squirm away though. "You can stop now."

"Hehe!" Milla just giggled in defiance and extended the rare hug for a minute more.

This was rare for a reason and she can't waste it!

All the while, their Tetris match had ended with them not manning the controls.

Out of all their Tetris matches, Milla actually won for once!

A hug, a song, and a win from Alexander Creed himself! Clearly, a lot of things were going well for little Milica Jovovich today.