Willis Gibson Explained

Id:Blue Scuti
Willis Gibson
Birth Date:27 January 2010
Games:Classic Tetris
Career Start:2021

Willis Gibson (born January 27, 2010), also known online as Blue Scuti, is an American classic Tetris player from Stillwater, Oklahoma. He is best known for becoming the first person to "beat" the game on December 21, 2023, after he triggered a killscreen on the previously unreached level 157, crashing the game.

Gibson became interested in Tetris at 11 years old after he watched related content on YouTube. He later began to pursue the game competitively, adopting the rolling technique to move the game pieces faster, and participating in tournaments including the Classic Tetris World Championship in 2023, where he placed third. After fellow Tetris players, including Justin Yu, began to attempt to reach the game's killscreen, Gibson followed suit, where he was ultimately successful. He gained international attention after the achievement, being interviewed by The New York Times and Good Morning America. In one such interview, Gibson dedicated his achievement to his deceased father Adam. He is regarded as one of the best Tetris players in the United States.

Tetris career

Background

Gibson began to play the 1989 puzzle video game Tetris in 2021 when he was 11 years old. He became interested after watching content relating to it on YouTube.[1] [2] [3] Before Tetris, Gibson had showed an interest in gaming from around 5 years old, playing other video games like Geometry Dash, Minecraft, and Rocket League.[4] After showing greater interest towards Tetris, however, his mother acquired a RetroN console from a pawnbroker[1] and a CRT display her workplace had discarded. Playing the game started out as "mainly a hobby", Gibson said in a 2023 interview, but later grew into competitive play online and against others. He eventually began to livestream under the gaming name "Blue Scuti", referring to the star UY Scuti.[3]

Before his game crash achievement, Gibson competed in several tournaments, including placing third in the Classic Tetris World Championship (CTWC) in October 2023, winning US$1,500.[3] [5] At 13 years old, Gibson was also one of the event's youngest competitors.[3] He won his first live tournament at a Kansas City regional on December 2, 2023,[2] [6] where he received a championship apron.[4]

Game crash achievement

After the CTWC in October 2023, Gibson began his attempt to reach Tetriss "killscreen", a point late in the game when its code glitches, resulting in a crash due to hardware limitations within the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).[7] This killscreen had only previously been reached by AI and tool assistance.[8] Gibson was inspired by fellow competitive Tetris player and YouTuber Justin Yu ("Fractal161"), who announced his intentions to reach the killscreen after the CTWC.[2] To improve his skills in the late-game, Gibson practiced playing "Dusk" and "Charcoal", two levels considered to be the hardest in the game because of their dark and distorted hues of the blocks caused by a late-game glitch.[2]

On December 21, 2023, Gibson became the first person on the NES version of Tetris to "beat the game" after reaching level 157 and triggering the killscreen.[1] The record playthrough lasted 38 minutes and was uploaded to Gibson's YouTube channel on January 2, 2024, under the title "The First Time Somebody Has Ever 'Beat' Tetris".[8] [9] The playthrough was also the highest overall scoring game of Tetris at the time of recording.[5]

The achievement attracted mass media attention. The New York Times interviewed him and Good Morning America broadcast excerpts of Gibson's video.[1] [2] In a statement, Tetris Company CEO Maya Rogers congratulated Gibson for his "feat that defies all preconceived limits" of the game.[2] [7] President of the CTWC, Vince Clemente, remarked: "It's basically something that everyone thought was impossible"[1] and that the whole event "is unbelievable".[10] On January 5, 2024, Gibson's post-victory reaction quote "I can't feel my fingers" became The New York Times quote of the day.[11] On the same day, Tetris co-founders Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers met with Gibson over a video call, calling his playthrough an "amazing, amazing achievement."[12] [13] Gibson later met the two creators in person on June 6, 2024, at a special anniversary event in Los Angeles.[14]

The American monthly magazine Wired credited the widespread media attention of the achievement to a recent "cultural obsession" of the game, restarting in 2023 with the release of the Tetris film, and an uptick in generally negative news starting off the New Year in 2024.[15] A clip of Gibson breathing heavily and repeatedly exclaiming, "oh my God!" at the moment of the crash was circulated widely.[1] [12] While the media's reaction to Gibson remained largely positive,[15] Sky News presenter Jayne Secker remarked that "as a mother, I would just say step away from the screen, go outside, get some fresh air" and that "beating Tetris is not a life goal". Secker's comments attracted considerable backlash.[16]

In May 2024, Gibson was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. The equipment used in the game crash playthrough was loaned to the Hall of Fame museum for a temporary exhibit.[17]

Recent history

Gibson played at the Heart of Texas tournament in Waco on January 20, 2024.[18] [19] Though he was defeated in the semifinals, a "surge in attention and popularity" at the tournament was attributed to him and the crowd "grew each time Gibson was competing".[20]

From June 8–9, Gibson competed in the 2024 Classic Tetris World Championship. While Gibson was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Tristan Kwai ("Tristop") who went on to win 3rd place,[21] [22] he notably played and won against WWE wrestler and Youtuber Logan Paul, who skipped a WWE SmackDown to participate in the championship, which he called one of his dreams since childhood.[23] [24]

Gibson is regarded as one of the best Tetris players in the United States.[1]

Playing style

Gibson's playing style was described as "aggressive" by Stillwater News Press.[3] He first learned to play the game using the hypertapping technique in 2021, but when the faster rolling technique was discovered, his playing style changed to it instead.[2] The combination of skill, aggression, and mastery of the rolling technique was credited to Gibson's ability to perform well in the game.[25] [2] [3] For his set-up, Gibson often plays with the controller on his right foot balanced against his left knee, with his right hand performing the rolling and tapping actions. He wears a glove on his right hand to reduce the friction of the repeated actions.[3]

Personal life

Gibson was born on January 27, 2010,[26] to Karin Cox, herself a gamer and high-school math teacher,[1] [2] and Adam Gibson, who died on December 14, 2023.[25] [12] Before his death, Adam attended Willis's first live tournament victory at the Kansas City regional[27] and commissioned a neon sign of Willis's username as a Christmas gift.[12] In an interview with NBC News on January 5, 2024, Gibson dedicated his game crash achievement to his father.[12] In another interview with WFAA in February 2024, Gibson stated he's brought a keepsake plush with the words "I Love You Dad" written on the back of it to each tournament he's competed in since.[28]

Aside from Tetris and other retro games, Gibson's hobbies include playing at the arcade, bowling, cycling, and solving Rubik's cubes.[1] [2] [3] [28] He has stated that he does not want his Tetris career to interfere with his education, and that he plans to use any prize money or other related earnings to pay for college.[2] Relating to retro games, Gibson has stated his interest in someday playing Super Mario Bros. at a competitive level.[29]

Competitive record

YearTournamentScoreFinishing place
2022CTM March Futures Circuit2–1[30]
CTM April Community Tier 13–1[31]
CTM May Challengers Circuit0–1[32]
CTM July Challengers Circuit0–1[33]
2023CTM January Hopefuls Circuit1–1[34]
CTM March Challengers Circuit2–1[35]
CTM Mega Masters1–1[36]
CTM Lone Star Championship0–1[37]
CTM September Masters Event0–1[38]
Classic Tetris World Championship3–1
CTM November Masters Event1–1[39]
CTM December Masters Event4–0[40]
2024CTWC Kansas City Regional3–0[41]
CTM January Masters Event0–1[42]
CTWC Heart of Texas1–1[43]
Classic Tetris Level 12 RETURNS (Division 1)3–0[44]
CTM February Masters Event1–1[45]
CTM Mega Masters4–1[46]
CTM April Master Event0–1[47]
CTM May Masters Event3–1[48]
Classic Tetris World Championship2–1
CTM July Masters Event3–1[49]
CTM August Masters Event3–1[50]
CTM September Masters Event3–0[51]
CTM September DAS Masters Event0–1[52]
The Jonas Cup4–1[53]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sopan Deb . Deb . Sopan . Boy, 13, Is Believed to Be the First to 'Beat' Tetris . . January 3, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . limited . January 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106000503/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/03/arts/tetris-beat-blue-scuti.html . live.
  2. Web site: Elmquist . Jason . Wunderkind: Stillwater teen becomes first documented human to 'beat' Tetris . January 3, 2024 . . January 6, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106000641/https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/wunderkind-stillwater-teen-becomes-first-documented-human-to-beat-tetris/article_17e0519c-aa8e-11ee-8520-938fc6bd229c.html . live.
  3. Web site: Marshall . Jessica . Boy Wonder: Stillwater teen places third in Classic Tetris World Championship . . November 16, 2023 . January 6, 2024 . January 5, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240105085046/https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/boy-wonder-stillwater-teen-places-third-in-classic-tetris-world-championship/article_0a390482-83ef-11ee-9d4d-b777b200f759.html . live.
  4. Gibson . Willis . Skistimas, Craig . Interviewing Bluescuti: The 13 Year Old Prodigy That Beat Tetris . Side Scrollers . January 22, 2024 . January 24, 2024 . January 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240123044732/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxwSyvhgQg4 . live .
  5. Web site: Santos . Sofia Ferreira . Tetris: US teenager claims to be first to beat video game . . January 3, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106001111/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67871775 . live.
  6. Web site: Phou . Evan . 2024 Classic Tetris World Championship Regional Tournament Dates . Tetris Interest . December 6, 2023 . January 14, 2024 . January 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115065905/https://tetrisinterest.com/2024-classic-tetris-world-championship-regional-tournament-dates/ . live.
  7. Web site: Hamilton . David . 13-year-old gamer becomes the first to beat the 'unbeatable' Tetris — by breaking it . . January 4, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . January 5, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240105160344/https://apnews.com/article/tetris-win-kill-screen-blue-scuti-willis-gibson-df9325c62d42292e854cadb54d8f4cb3 . live.
  8. Web site: Korn . Jennifer . Oklahoma teenager finally defeats the unbeatable game: Tetris . . January 3, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106063918/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/03/tech/oklahoma-teenager-defeats-tetris/index.html . live.
  9. Gibson . Willis . January 2, 2024 . The First Time Somebody Has Ever "Beat" Tetris . . January 6, 2024 . Blue Scuti . January 5, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240105235005/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9oVQ43j22g . live.
  10. Web site: Carroll . Rory . Thirteen-year-old becomes first player to beat Tetris . . January 3, 2024 . January 6, 2024.
  11. Web site: Quotation of the Day: Teenage Boy 'Beats' Tetris, Joining A.I. at the Top . . January 5, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106001034/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/05/pageoneplus/quotation-of-the-day-teenage-boy-beats-tetris-joining-ai-at-the-top.html . live.
  12. Cohen . Rebecca . Castro, Valerie . Teen who beat Tetris gets a surprise meeting with game's creator . . January 5, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . January 5, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240105215301/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tetris-creator-surprises-willis-gibson-teen-beat-game-rcna132387 . live.
  13. Web site: Elmquist . Jason . Tetris sensation from Stillwater gets opportunity to meet game's creator . . January 5, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106000612/https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/tetris-sensation-from-stillwater-gets-opportunity-to-meet-games-creator/article_468593da-ac15-11ee-af8c-a305b815750f.html . live.
  14. Web site: McFerran . Damien . Here's The Moment When The Teen Who Beat Tetris Met Its Creator, Alexey Pajitnov . Time Extension . June 7, 2024 . July 30, 2024.
  15. Watercutter . Angela . Why Everyone Is Obsessed With the Kid Who Beat Tetris . . January 5, 2024 . January 10, 2024 . January 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240111042426/https://www.wired.com/story/why-everyone-is-obsessed-with-the-kid-who-beat-tetris/ . live.
  16. Web site: Rodgers . Andrew . Tetris: Sky News presenter tells teenager to "go outside" . . January 4, 2024 . January 8, 2024 . January 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240107123953/https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-67885320 . live.
  17. Web site: Wahpekeche . Dacoda . Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame honors teenager who 'beat' Tetris . . May 18, 2024 . May 20, 2024 . May 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240520122532/https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-sports-hall-of-fame-honors-teenager-beat-tetriwillis-gibson/60833602 . live .
  18. Web site: Rajkumar . Jessica . Teen who beat original Tetris game competes in Heart of Texas Tetris Competition . . January 20, 2024 . January 22, 2024 . January 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240120224955/https://www.kwtx.com/2024/01/20/teen-who-beat-original-tetris-game-competes-heart-texas-tetris-competition/ . live .
  19. Web site: Shahji . Adam . 1st player to beat Tetris appears in Waco . . January 20, 2024 . January 22, 2024 . January 21, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240121043715/https://www.kxxv.com/news/1st-player-to-beat-tetris-appears-in-waco . live .
  20. Web site: Elmquist . Jason . Blue Scuti effect: Fans flock to Tetris tournament to see Stillwater's global phenom . . January 22, 2024 . January 22, 2024 . January 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240123010336/https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/blue-scuti-effect-fans-flock-to-tetris-tournament-to-see-stillwater-s-global-phenom/article_1649b6e8-b975-11ee-b008-5f2d3c9d5afd.html . live .
  21. June 8, 2024 . Classic Tetris World Championship XV – Day 2 Tournament Begins! . . . June 12, 2024.
  22. June 9, 2024 . Classic Tetris World Championship XV – Day 3 Finals . . . June 12, 2024.
  23. Web site: McVey . Innes . Logan Paul Was Too Busy Playing Tetris To Appear On WWE Smackdown . Inside the Ropes . June 8, 2024 . June 12, 2024 . June 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240612222709/https://itrwrestling.com/news/logan-paul-was-too-busy-playing-tetris-to-appear-on-wwe-smackdown/ . live .
  24. Web site: Santabarbara . Seb . Logan Paul Pronounces Blue Scuti 'The Toughest Opponent He's Ever Faced' After Tetris Showdown . Retro Dodo . June 11, 2024 . June 12, 2024 . June 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240611100932/https://retrododo.com/logan-paul-pronounces-blue-scuti-the-toughest-opponent-hes-ever-faced-after-tetris-showdown/ . live .
  25. Web site: Montgomery . Blake . Oklahoma 13-year-old believed to be first person ever to beat Tetris . . January 3, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . January 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106005134/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/jan/03/oklahoma-teen-beat-tetris-first-person-willis-gibson . live.
  26. Web site: Teen Who Beat Tetris To Launch Immersive Tetris Experience In The Colony, Texas . Mingorance . Virginia . January 23, 2024 . Local Profile . January 24, 2024 . January 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240124174008/https://www.localprofile.com/news/teen-who-beat-tetris-to-launch-immersive-tetris-experience-in-the-colony-texas-8149511 . live .
  27. Cox . Karin . Kim, Eunha . Talking with Blue Scuti's Mom . Tetris Gal Talk . January 8, 2024 . January 14, 2024 . January 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115084248/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m1k2XoG4Y4 . live.
  28. Web site: Panicker . Jobin . Meet the 14-year-old Oklahoma gamer known as Blue Scuti -- or the boy who beat Tetris . . February 14, 2024 . February 29, 2024 . April 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240425160441/https://www.wfaa.com/video/features/originals/287-d9f3630f-33a1-476c-89c1-0c7c5cd18710 . live .
  29. Karl Stefanovic . Stefanovic . Karl . Sarah Abo . Abo . Sarah . January 6, 2024 . Teenager becomes first human to beat 'Tetris' Today Show Australia . . January 7, 2024 . . January 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240108030521/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQo-zrPMd3I . live.
  30. Web site: CTM March 2022 Futures Circuit . Classic Tetris Monthly . March 2022 . February 29, 2024.
  31. Web site: CTM April 2022 Community T1 . Classic Tetris Monthly . April 2022 . January 7, 2024 . January 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240107061611/https://go.ctm.gg/event/ctm-april-2022/community-t1/ . live.
  32. Web site: CTM May 2022 Challengers Circuit . Classic Tetris Monthly . May 2022 . February 29, 2024.
  33. Web site: CTM July 2022 Challengers Circuit . Classic Tetris Monthly . July 2022 . February 29, 2024.
  34. Web site: CTM January 2023 Hopefuls Circuit . Classic Tetris Monthly . January 2023 . March 11, 2024.
  35. Web site: CTM March 2023 Challengers Circuit . Classic Tetris Monthly . March 2023 . February 29, 2024 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229025516/https://go.ctm.gg/event/ctm-march-2023/challengers-circuit/ . live .
  36. Web site: CTM Mega Masters 2023 . Classic Tetris Monthly . April 2023 . March 11, 2024 . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311053005/https://go.ctm.gg/event/ctm-mega-masters-championship-2023/mega-masters/ . live .
  37. Web site: CTM Lone Star Tetris Championship . Classic Tetris Monthly . May 2023 . March 11, 2024 . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311053004/https://ctm.gg/lonestar/ . live .
  38. Web site: CTM September 2023 Masters Event . Classic Tetris Monthly . September 2023 . February 27, 2024 . February 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228032237/https://go.ctm.gg/event/ctm-september-2023/masters-event/ . live .
  39. Web site: CTM November 2023 Masters Event . Classic Tetris Monthly . November 2023 . February 27, 2024.
  40. Web site: CTM December 2023 Masters Event . Classic Tetris Monthly . December 2023 . February 27, 2024 . February 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228032237/https://go.ctm.gg/event/ctm-december-2023/masters-event/ . live .
  41. Web site: CTWC Kansas City Regional Gold . Classic Tetris Monthly . January 4, 2024 . January 7, 2024 . January 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240107061611/https://go.ctm.gg/event/ctwc-kansas-city-regional/kc-gold/ . live.
  42. Web site: CTM January 2024 Masters Event . Classic Tetris Monthly . January 2024 . January 7, 2024 . January 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240107061611/https://go.ctm.gg/event/ctm-january-2024/masters-event/ . live.
  43. Web site: CTWC Heart of Texas 2023 Gold . Classic Tetris Monthly . January 2024 . January 24, 2024 . January 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240124081710/https://go.ctm.gg/event/ctwc-heart-of-texas-2024/gold/ . live .
  44. Web site: Classic Tetris Level 12 RETURNS Division 1 . Classic Tetris Monthly . January 2024 . January 7, 2024 . January 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240107061612/https://go.ctm.gg/event/ct-12-returns/div-1/ . live.
  45. Web site: CTM February 2024 Masters Event . Classic Tetris Monthly . February 2024 . February 27, 2024 . February 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228032236/https://go.ctm.gg/event/ctm-february-2024/masters-event/ . live .
  46. Web site: CTM Mega Masters 2024 . Classic Tetris Monthly . March 2024 . March 11, 2024 . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311053005/https://go.ctm.gg/event/ctm-mega-masters-championship-2024/mega-masters/ . live .
  47. Web site: CTM April 2024 Masters Event . Classic Tetris Monthly . April 2024 . April 30, 2024.
  48. Web site: CTM May 2024 Masters Event . Classic Tetris Monthly . May 2024 . May 5, 2024.
  49. Web site: CTM July 2024 Masters Event . Classic Tetris Monthly . July 2024 . October 7, 2024.
  50. Web site: CTM August 2024 Masters Event . Classic Tetris Monthly . August 2024 . October 7, 2024.
  51. Web site: CTM September 2024 Masters Event . Classic Tetris Monthly . September 2024 . October 7, 2024.
  52. Web site: CTM DAS Masters September 2024 Masters Event . Classic Tetris Monthly . September 2024 . October 7, 2024.
  53. Web site: 2024 09 - USA-D - Jonas Cup 2024, Portland, OR . Classic Tetris World Championship . September 2024 . October 7, 2024.

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