The Tetris Company's Maya Rogers Advocates for Increased Female Representation in the Gaming Industry

Maya Rogers, CEO of The Tetris Company, reflects on her journey into the gaming industry, which was influenced by her father, Henk Rogers, who played a crucial role in bringing Tetris to the global market. She notes that her father's experience with Tetris sparked a sensation in their household, with family members competing for high scores. Maya's career path took a turn when her father suffered a heart attack, prompting her to join The Tetris Company and eventually become its CEO. She highlights the lack of female representation in the gaming industry, citing statistics that women make up only 22% of the global workforce and hold just 16% of executive roles in top game companies. Maya encourages young women to pursue careers in the industry, emphasizing the need for diversity and inclusion. She also discusses her efforts to increase the number of women working at The Tetris Company and the importance of having women in C-suite positions. Additionally, Maya talks about the therapeutic benefits of playing Tetris, referencing research by Professor Emily Holmes, which has shown that the game can help with trauma and PTSD. She also touches on the topic of environmental sustainability, mentioning the founding of Blue Startups, an accelerator that supports entrepreneurs with a focus on sustainability. Maya stresses the importance of protecting copyright and brand legacies, particularly in the context of the creator economy and the rise of AI. She sees opportunities for the Tetris brand beyond video games, citing the recent Tetris movie on Apple TV as an example. Looking to the future, Maya believes that Tetris will continue to evolve, with new variations and adaptations that can connect with new audiences. She credits the game's enduring success to the partnership between her father and Alexey Pajitnov, the game's creator, which was built on trust and a shared passion for gaming.