The Tetris Company's Maya Rogers on the Need for More Women in Gaming

Maya Rogers, president and CEO of The Tetris Company, reflects on her journey into the gaming industry, which began when her father, Henk Rogers, brought home an early version of Tetris on the Game Boy. She notes that her father's instrumental role in securing the rights to Tetris for Nintendo's handheld console and his subsequent formation of The Tetris Company with the game's creator, Alexey Pajitnov, laid the groundwork for her own career. Initially working at American Honda after college, Maya later joined Sony Computer Entertainment in Santa Monica, where she worked on the Gran Turismo franchise. However, it was not until her father suffered a heart attack in 2005 that she decided to join The Tetris Company, recognizing the opportunity to learn from him and make a meaningful impact. As one of the few women in a top position in the gaming industry, Maya is passionate about encouraging more women to pursue careers in the field. She emphasizes that women need to be given a chance and that the industry must move beyond the current state, where men dominate game design despite the significant presence of female gamers. Maya encourages young women to follow their passion and not be deterred by concerns about being underqualified or lacking experience. She also highlights the importance of women being willing to take risks and be vulnerable in order to succeed. When asked about her personal experiences with sexism in the industry, Maya responds matter-of-factly, having faced instances where her authority was questioned due to her gender. However, she notes that being a woman in a male-dominated field can also have advantages, such as being more memorable. Maya has made a conscious effort to increase the number of women working at The Tetris Company, which has led to positive outcomes. She believes that more women in C-suite positions across the industry are necessary and that diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have been crucial in driving change. Maya also discusses the therapeutic benefits of playing Tetris, citing research by Professor Emily Holmes that demonstrates its potential to help individuals with trauma and PTSD. The Tetris Company is exploring ways to further develop this aspect of the game. Additionally, Maya touches on her interest in environmental issues, which aligns with her father's values, and their joint founding of Blue Startups, an accelerator focused on supporting sustainable startups. While the company has had to navigate protecting its intellectual property rights over the years, Maya stresses the importance of honoring brand legacies and protecting copyrights, especially in the context of the creator economy and AI. Looking to the future, Maya sees endless opportunities for Tetris, both within and outside the gaming industry, and believes that the brand's versatility and timeless appeal will continue to inspire new generations of gamers and beyond.