Proto:Tetris (CD-i)

This page details one or more prototype versions of Tetris (CD-i).

  This prototype is documented on Hidden Palace.

A prototype of the CD-i Tetris was dumped by Seventy777 in January 2021, sourced from a collection of CD-i titles owned by Blazers. Handwriting on the disc identifies this build as Version 1.02 and dates it to July 2, 1992, predating the final version (2.01) by only 22 days.

Despite this small timeframe, a good number of changes were made between the two versions.

Menu Differences

Intro/Main Menu

The prototype uses the American Interactive Media startup animation instead of the Philips Interactive Media animation that the final game uses.

Proto	Final

• The prototype's main menu plays a unique piece of music. The final game replaces it with the music track of the selected level.
• A registered trademark (®) symbol was added to the Tetris text.
• The Same button (which sets the garbage row height to the last one used) had its position and function changed between versions:
  • The prototype button is located in the Height section and has two arrows on it. Pressing it will not start a new game - the player has to press the Play button like usual.
  • The final button is placed between the Play and Quit buttons, has "Same" written on it, and starts a new game when pressed.
• To fill in the space left by the old Same button, a button to start the game with two garbage rows was added.
• The Show Next and Don't Show Next buttons are spaced further apart in the prototype.

Credits

Proto	Final

• The prototype credits track is completely different to the one in the final game. (This song also plays on the High Score screen in both versions, but it doesn't have a section here as there are no other differences besides the music.)
• The credits themselves were lengthened to better match the length of the new music, as well as partially reorganized and retitled:

Proto

Final

Programmer Mike Berro Additional Programming Ken Jordan Prototype Programming Gary B. Smith Graphic Design Les Doughty QA Testers Janis Beckenbach Greg A. L. Hemsath Executive Producer Sarina Simon Senior Producer / Creative Director David Riordan Director of Technology David Todd Director of Photography Mackenzie Waggamen

Programmer Mike Berro Prototype Ken Jordan Gary B. Smith Lead Artist Les Doughty Music Jim Andron Director of Photography Mackenzie Waggamen Grips Joseph Keppler John Scarpaci Executive Producer Sarina Simon Senior Producer / Creative Director David Riordan Associate Producers Carrie Daccardi David White Director of Technology David Todd QA Testers Janis Beckenbach Greg A. L. Hemsath Image Capture David Todd Administrative Coordinator Charlene Bonhoff Software Tools Mike Berro Joe Burks Ken Jordan Brandie Lynn Dan Pinal Gary B. Smith David Todd

Of note is that three copies of the earlier credits can be found in the prototype at 0xA373DD, 0xD8078D, and 0x10C9BA7, though they're partially overwritten.

Level Differences

General

Proto	Final

• An erroneous brown line can be seen on the right side of the prototype's level introduction screens.
• The final music tracks for Levels 3 to 7 do not exist in the prototype.
• Every track shared between the two versions had their volume slightly lowered for the final game.

Levels 0-2

Proto	Final

The clouds in Level 0's background had their highlights painted out.

Proto	Final

Level 0's music plays 3.5% slower than the final version, but is otherwise the same.

Proto	Final

The same thing can be said for Level 1's music, though this time it's played 4.2% slower. (The backgrounds for Levels 1 and 4 are identical to their final versions.)

Proto	Final

Level 2's clouds had their highlights removed as well.

Proto	Final

Level 2 suffers from yet another case of having a near-final music track that plays 2.3% slower. Fortunately, this is the last level track to do this.

Levels 3-5

Proto	Final

The prototype's Level 3 is a clone of Level 0, having the exact same background and music. The final version gives it a new music track and changes the background to a desert, which used to be the prototype's background for Level 9.

Proto	Final

Level 4's music would be replaced and reused for the final's Level 9. The prototype version of the track lasts 38 seconds longer than the final one.

Proto	Final

The prototype's Level 5 uses the beach background that appears in the final version's Level 6. It was replaced with a forest background that appears in the prototype's Level 7.

Proto	Final

Much like Level 4, the music for Level 5 would be replaced and also reused for the final version's Level 8. The prototype track is much shorter (1:34 vs 4:23) and also plays around 2% slower.

Levels 6-9

Proto	Final

Level 6 is another clone of Level 0. It was given a new music track and the beach background from the prototype's Level 5.

Proto	Final

Level 7's background was changed from the final's Level 5 forest to a new badlands one. The music is yet another repeat of Level 0's, which was thankfully remedied in the final version.

Proto	Final

The prototype's Level 8 is yet another Level 0 clone. The final version gives it a brand-new riverside background and reuses the early music for Level 5.

Proto	Final

Level 9's desert background was given to Level 3 and replaced with a new one depicting a beach at sunset.

The music in Level 9 is a completely different track that fits well with the aesthetic of the level. The final game removes it and replaces it with Level 4's early music.

Abstract/Bibliography Changes

The text in the abstract file was changed from a generic description of Tetris to the description used on the game's back cover:

Proto

Final

Tetris will lure even the most seasoned hand into a challenging game of speed and maneuvering. As the four-square pieces tumble from the top of the screen into an empty pit, it's up to you to rotate them into a position which leaves no gaps in the layers at the bottom. Once aligned, you can drop them into place and increase your score.

Tetris ...a classic game in a class of its own. Originally conceived by Alexy Pajitnov and Vadim Gerasimov of the former USSR, Tetris is recognised all over the world for its elegant simplicity and challenging game play. Tetris CD-I is the ultimate Tetris experience. Spectacular video nature scenes and an original CD score by Jim Andron complement classic Tetris game play and elevate this phenomenon to new heights. In CD-I, the classic becomes a legend. Produced by Philips POV Entertainment Group

The only thing in the prototype's bibliography file is the name Lords of the Rising Sun, another CD-i game by Philips POV. This was replaced in the final version with a list of the game's staff.

The copyright file is identical to the final version.