Tetris For Windows CE
| Tetris for Windows CE | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | MobileSoft |
| Publisher(s) | MobileSoft |
| Platform(s) | MIPS and SH3 based H/PC with Windows CE |
| Release | 18 September 1997 |
| Gameplay info | |
| Next pieces | 1 |
| Playfield size | 10 × 20 10 × 18 with taskbar |
| Hold piece | No |
| Hard drop | No |
| Rotation system | Original Rotation System |
Tetris for Windows CE is an official version of the game, licensed by Elorg to The Tetris Company and sub-licensed to MobileSoft to be freely distributed starting from June 1998 inside the Bonus Software Applications disc bundled with the Casio Cassiopeia E-10 handheld device.
Software protection
MobileSoft protected the game with SalesAgent, a protection system developed by Release Software Corporation that employs RSA/3DES encryption to manage credit card payments and online registrations. Although Tetris for Windows CE was freely distributed, MobileSoft used SalesAgent to gather user data. After Release Software Corporation discontinued its registration endpoints, it became impossible to unlock and install the game using the original method.
Registration patch
In 2024, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Tetris, a group dedicated to the historical preservation of software and video games, called Retronerd, created a patcher to bypass the impossible registration.
Scoring
Points are calculated and given only after a piece locks down. No points are given after a piece causes a "game over". As reported into the game help section: There are two ways to score points. First, the accelerator drop key, which increases the downward drop speed of the tetraminos, will earn one point per each line the key is pressed. If the player lets go of the key, the counter will reset to zero. The points are added when the tetramino has landed in its resting place. Second, points are awarded for clearing lines with the calculation of the level number plus one, multiplied by the points for the lines cleared.
| Lines | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 | 40 |
| 2 | 100 |
| 3 | 300 |
| 4 | 1200 |
Game Types
A
Game type A is an endless marathon mode, starting the game with an empty play field. The player chooses a level from 0 to 9 to start from, and as they clear lines the level increases.
B
Game type B is same as type A, starting with 6 incomplete lines of blocks in the play field.
Logo
The game installer shows the original Roger Dean logo with slightly different color palette and the addition of "Windows CE" in italic font. The same logo is shown in the game intro with 2-bit (black and white) graphic.
Sound
The game has no soundtrack—only an intro sound and sound effects. The sounds were created by Mud Hud Studio.