In a remarkable demonstration of creative programming, a developer has successfully implemented a fully functional version of Tetris using PostScript, traditionally known as a document description language. This innovative project, dubbed PSTris, showcases how a language primarily designed for printing and graphics can be repurposed for interactive gaming.
Unexpected Interactive Capabilities
What makes this implementation particularly fascinating is its novel approach to achieving interactivity in PostScript. While many developers assumed PostScript was limited to static document generation, PSTris employs a clever hack to enable real-time gameplay. As one community member notes:
This uses a clever hack where you write the input to a text file that the PS program is continuously reading. Very cool.
This technique allows the game to process player inputs in real-time, demonstrating PostScript's untapped potential for interactive applications.
Historical Context and Modern Implementation
The project has sparked discussions about PostScript's historical role in computing. Community members have pointed out that PostScript was previously used in significant graphical systems like Display PostScript and Sun's NeWS (Network extensible Window System), where it served as a foundation for GUI applications. However, PSTris takes a different approach, achieving interactivity through creative use of file system monitoring rather than relying on specialized implementations.
Platform Support:
- macOS (GhostView)
- Linux (Ghostscript)
Technical Achievement
The implementation is remarkably efficient, requiring only 600 lines of code (10 KB) and utilizing 69 different PostScript operators. The game includes all essential Tetris features, such as increasing difficulty levels, Nintendo-style scoring, and the standard 7-tetrimino random bag system. This demonstrates how a seemingly limited document processing language can be pushed to create a fully-featured gaming experience.
Key Features:
- 600 lines/10 KB of PostScript code
- 69 different PostScript operators
- Real-time input processing
- Direct drop functionality
- Progressive difficulty levels
- 7-tetrimino random bag system
- High score tracking
- Nintendo scoring scheme
Cross-Platform Accessibility
The game runs in GhostView on macOS and can be played on Linux systems using Ghostscript, though some users have reported stability issues on certain Linux configurations. The developer has also created similar PostScript implementations of other classic games, including chess and Sokoban, establishing a pattern of exploring the language's gaming potential.
This project not only serves as a technical curiosity but also highlights the continuing potential for innovation in established technologies, proving that creative programming can push the boundaries of what's possible with legacy tools and languages.
Reference: PSTris