Tetris Zone Manual
The Tetris Zone game manual can also be found in-game through the Help button of the main menu screen.
1.0 How to Play
Tetris is a game satisfying one of the most basic human drives, that is, to create order out of chaos.
There are 7 differently shaped Tetriminos that fall into a rectangular Matrix. As the Tetriminos fall, you can rotate, move or drop them into their final resting place. If a row or more of cells is completely filled with Blocks, then the line or lines are cleared from the Matrix and points are scored. The more efficiently you clear lines from the Matrix (for example, in less time or using more simultaneous Line Clears) the better your score will be. Bonuses are given for simultaneous Line Clears, special actions called “T-Spins”, and achieving Back-to-Back high-point actions.
2.0 Game Modes
To change the game mode, press one of the game mode buttons on the Main Menu. To start a game, press the PLAY! button.
NOTE: In Trial Mode, only Marathon and Spring mode are enabled.
2.1 Marathon
See how far you can go and how many points you can get! Clear the number of lines in the level goal to advance levels. Bonus lines are awarded for clearing multiple lines at once (as in a Tetris) or for special actions (like a T-Spin). The Tetriminos drop faster as the level number increases, so watch out. There are 15 challenging levels in all.
2.2 Challenge
See how far you can go and how many points you can get within 10 minutes. Be sure to clear the level goal within 2 minutes - if you don’t, you have to do it over!
2.3 Sprint
Reach the goal of 40 lines as fast as you can. Compete for the fastest time!
2.4 Master
Once you have conquered Marathon, proceed to the next level in gameplay – Master! This game has instant-drop Tetriminos, so you have to be quick with your movements and rotations before the Tetrimino locks down. There are 20 challenging levels in all.
3.0 Scoring
3.1 Standard
| Action | Points | Lines Cleared | Lines Awarded Towards Level Goal* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 100 x level | 1 | 1 |
| Double | 300 x level | 2 | 3 |
| Triple | 500 x level | 3 | 5 |
| Tetris | 800 x level | 4 | 8 |
| EZ T-Spin | 100 x level | 0 | 1 |
| EZ T-Spin Single | 200 x level | 1 | 2 |
| T-Spin | 400 x level | 0 | 4 |
| T-Spin Single | 800 x level | 1 | 8 |
| T-Spin Double | 1200 x level | 2 | 12 |
| Back-To-Back Bonus (Tetrises and T-Spins performed consecutively)** | 0.5 x Action Total | 0 | 0.5 x Action Total |
| Soft Drop | 1 per line dropped | 0 | 0 |
| Hard Drop | 2 per line dropped | 0 | 0 |
|
*Column does not apply to Sprint and Master game modes. **T-Spins that do not clear any lines do not receive the Back-to-Back Bonus. However, they do not break a consecutive Back-to-Back sequence. |
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3.2 Combination
Score a combination, or “combo”, by performing consecutive Line Clear actions. A Tetrimino that does not complete a Line Clear cannot lock down between the consecutive actions.
| Combo Count | Bonus | Lines Awarded Towards Level Goal* |
|---|---|---|
| Combo 1 | + 50 points x level | 0 |
| Combo 2 | + 100 points x level | 1 |
| Combo 3 | + 150 points x level | 1 |
| Combo 4 | + 200 points x level | 2 |
| Combo 5 | + 250 points x level | 2 |
| Combo 6 | + 300 points x level | 3 |
| Combo 7 | + 350 points x level | 3 |
| Combo 8 | + 400 points x level | 4 |
| Combo 9 | + 450 points x level | 4 |
| Combo 10 | + 500 points x level | 4 |
| Combo 11 | + 550 points x level | 5 |
| Combo 12 | + 600 points x level | 5 |
| Combo 13 | + 650 points x level | 5 |
| Combo 14 | + 700 points x level | 5 |
| Combo 15 | + 750 points x level | 5 |
| Combo 16 | + 800 points x level | 5 |
| Combo 17 | + 850 points x level | 5 |
| Combo 18 | + 900 points x level | 5 |
| Combo 19 | + 950 points x level | 5 |
| Combo 20 | + 1000 points x level | 5 |
|
*Column does not apply to Sprint and Master game modes. |
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4.0 Changing Keys
To change the key settings, select the KEYS tab on the Main Menu.
Press a control function key.
Press a key on your keyboard to reassign the function to that key.
Press the SET TO DEFAULT KEYS link to reassign the default keys to each function.
The following are the default keys for each function:
| Name | Default Key | Function |
|---|---|---|
| MOVE LEFT | LEFT ARROW | Move Tetrimino left |
| MOVE RIGHT | RIGHT ARROW | Move Tetrimino right |
| ROTATE LEFT | CONTROL | Rotate Tetrimino counterclockwise |
| ROTATE RIGHT | UP ARROW | Rotate Tetrimino clockwise |
| HARD DROP | SPACE BAR | Hard drop the Tetrimino |
| SOFT DROP | DOWN ARROW | Soft drop the Tetrimino |
| HOLD | SHIFT | Hold the current Tetrimino in the Hold Queue |
| PAUSE | ESCAPE | Pause the game |
| HIDE | F1 (F2 for Windows) | Pause and hide the game |
5.0 Adjusting the Volume
To change the sound effects volume or music volume, select the SOUND tab on the Main Menu.
Press the appropriate – or + button to adjust the volume.
Press the SET TO DEFAULT SOUND link to reset the volumes to the default settings.
NOTE: To change the music selection, select the MUSIC tab on the Main Menu. Press one of the song buttons.
6.0 Logging In
Upon purchasing Tetris Zone, you will receive a TetrisPass username and password via e-mail. You must login from the game to have full access to all of Tetris Zone, including unrestricted gameplay.
On the Main Menu, enter your username and password into the boxes in the top right corner and press the LOG IN button. You must be connected to the Internet for this initial login only.
If authentication is successful, the words “TRIAL MODE” on the Main Menu will change to your username followed by “LOGGED IN”. You will now have full access to the game.
After the initial login, the game will automatically log you in each time you start Tetris Zone. Logging in enables the game to automatically upload your latest scores to your account on the website. To log out at any time, press the LOGOUT link on the Main Menu.
7.0 Statistics
TETRISES - Total number of Tetrises achieved by the player in the current game.
T-SPINS - Total number of T-Spins achieved by the player in the current game.
COMBOS - Total number of combinations achieved by the player in the current game.
TPM - Tetriminos Per Minute. The number of Tetriminos locked down divided by minutes of elapsed game time.
LPM - Lines Per Minute. The number of Line Clears divided by minutes of elapsed game time. This does not include bonus lines awarded towards the level Goal.
8.0 Glossary
- Back-to-Back: When two or more Tetrises, T-Spins, or T-Spin Singles/Doubles occur in any order before a Single/Double/Triple Line Clear. T-Spins not clearing any lines do not receive a Back-to-Back Bonus, however they do not break a Back-to-Back sequence.
- Block: A single block locked in a cell in the Matrix.
- Block Out: The Game Over Condition occurring when part of a newly generated Tetrimino is blocked by an existing Block in the Matrix.
- Game Timer: For Sprint and Master modes, this displays the elapsed game time. For Challenge mode, this starts at 10 minutes and counts down to 0.
- Ghost Piece: A graphical representation of where the Tetrimino in play will come to rest if it is dropped from its current position.
- Goal: The number of lines left to be cleared before a Level Up (or Game Completed) takes place.
- Hard Drop: Causes the Tetrimino in play to drop straight down instantly from its current location and Lock Down on the first surface it lands on. It does not allow for further player manipulation of the Tetrimino in play.
- Hold Queue: The storage place, located to the left of the Matrix, where players can hold any falling Tetrimino for use later. When called for, the held Tetrimino swaps places with the currently falling Tetrimino, and begins falling again. The player must Lock Down a Tetrimino between holds.
- Level: Displays the current level.
- Level Timer: Displays the amount of time remaining to complete the Goal. If the player does not complete the level Goal in 2 minutes, the Goal resets and the player must try again.
- Level Up: Upon completion of a level’s Goal, the player proceeds to the next level.
- Line: The result when Blocks fill a horizontal line of cells in the Matrix.
- Line Clear: Occurs when Lines are removed from the Matrix. There are 7 types of Line Clears:
- Single: The player clears one line.
- Double: The player clears two lines.
- Triple: The player clears three lines.
- Tetris: The player clears four lines.
- EZ T-Spin Single: The player clears one line by achieving an EZ T-Spin.
- T-Spin Single: The player clears one line by achieving a T-Spin.
- T-Spin Double: The player clears two lines by achieving a T-Spin.
- Lock Down: The point at which a Tetrimino in play can no longer be manipulated by the player. This generally occurs 0.5 seconds after a Tetrimino lands on a surface. This time may be reset by moving or rotating the Tetrimino after it lands on a surface. For Marathon and Challenge modes, up to 15 movements or rotations are allowed before Lock Down immediately occurs. For Master mode, up to 10 movements or rotations are allowed. For Sprint mode, an infinite number of movements or rotations are allowed.
- Lock Out: The Game Over Condition occurring when a Tetrimino Locks Down completely above the Matrix.
- Matrix: This is the playfield where game play occurs and is 10 cells wide x 20 cells high.
- Mino: One of four blocks that make a Tetrimino.
- Next Queue: Displays the Next Tetrimino(s) to be placed just above the Matrix. This is located to the right of the Matrix.
- Next Tetrimino: The next Tetrimino that will be placed just above the Matrix.
- Soft Drop: Causes the Tetrimino to drop at an accelerated rate (20x the normal fall speed) from its current location.
- Tetrimino: A group of four Blocks (Minos) joined together to form one of the 7 shapes, namely, the O-, I-, T-, L-, J-, S-, and Z-Tetriminos.
- T-Slot: Any Block formation such that when the T-Tetrimino is spun into it, any three of the four cells diagonally adjacent to the center of the T-Tetrimino are occupied by existing Blocks.
- T-Spin: This action can be achieved by first landing a T-Tetrimino, and before it Locks Down, rotating it in a T-Slot.
9.0 Watching Recorded Games
To download and watch recorded games, press the desired game mode button on the Main Menu.
Press the WATCH button.
Press the PERSONAL button to watch your best game (for the selected game mode). Press the TODAY button to watch the best game of the day. Press the ALL TIME button to watch the best game of all time.
NOTE: The PERSONAL button is unavailable in Trial Mode.
To watch the game you just played, press the WATCH button on the GAME OVER dialog box.
10.0 Tutorials
Flash player 8 is required to view the tutorials.
11.0 Support
If you have any questions, you can e-mail our technical support team at support@zone.tetris.com or visit our feedback forums at community.tetris.com.
12.0 Credits
- Original Game Designer: Alexey Pajitnov
- Tetris Logo Designer: Roger Dean
- Tetris Zone Designed and Developed by Blue Planet Software, Inc.
- Master Game Designer: Henk Rogers
- Game Designer: Alexey Pajitnov, Brian Rogers, Shawn Tanabe
- Producer: Brian Rogers
- Project Manager: Joshua W. Frappier
- Lead Programmer: Chris Nelson
- Programmer: Deanna Izuka, Benoit Martin
- Technical Writer/Designer: Nick Cook
- Art Director: Mark Sigel
- Artist: Christine Higa, Alice Tran
- Audio: DeShannon Higa, Steve Jones
- QA Manager: Brian Rogers
- QA Lead: Shawn Tanabe
- QA: Lani Husson, Deanna Izuka, Alex Rogers, Brad Uyeoka
- Customer Support/Community Relations: Danny Han
- Special Thanks: Ginger Fenna, David Kwock, Gerilynn Okano, Kent Otsu, Joy Rogers, Richard Rogers