Alexei Pajitnov is a Russian computer scientist and video game designer, best known for creating the iconic puzzle game Tetris in 1984. Born on April 16, 1956, in Moscow, Pajitnov developed the game while working at the Computer Center of the Soviet Academy of Sciences. Tetris quickly gained popularity and became a significant part of gaming history, influencing many other games and spawning numerous adaptations. Pajitnov's work laid the foundation for the modern gaming industry, and he later moved to the United States in 1991, where he continued to develop video games and contribute to the field.