Red Bull and Tetris Team Up for a Paper-Thin, Playable Magazine Cover That Will Blow Your Mind

In a world where technology is constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, Red Bull and Tetris have teamed up to create something truly extraordinary: a playable Tetris game embedded in the cover of a magazine. This isn’t just any magazine—it’s a 180-page lifestyle publication wrapped in a flexible, paper-thin gaming device that feels like something out of a sci-fi movie. Let’s dive into the details of this groundbreaking innovation.

The Collaboration That’s Changing the Game

Last year, the Tetris Company partnered with Red Bull for a gaming tournament that culminated in the world’s largest playable Tetris installation on the 150-meter-tall Dubai Frame landmark. Using over 2,000 drones as pixels, this event showcased the iconic puzzle game on an unprecedented scale. Around the same time, Red Bull published a special gaming edition of its The Red Bulletin magazine, and here’s where things get really interesting.

The GamePop GP-1: A Paper-Thin Gaming Revolution

To create this playable magazine cover, Red Bull Media House enlisted the help of Kevin Bates, a visionary in the world of portable gaming. Bates is no stranger to innovation—he’s the creator of the Arduboy, a credit card-sized, open-source handheld gaming device, and has a history of crafting ultra-thin, affordable gaming gadgets.

The GamePop GP-1 Playable Magazine System is the latest evolution of Bates’ mission to reimagine portable gaming. It took “most of last year” to develop, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. The device features a custom matrix of 180 tiny RGB LEDs mounted on a flexible circuit board just 0.1mm thick. This allows the magazine cover to flex and bend like paper while still delivering a fully functional gaming experience.

How Does It Work?

The GamePop GP-1’s display may not rival the OLED screens of folding phones, but it’s far more durable. Bates even tested its resilience by hitting it with a hammer—and it survived. The flexible circuits are bonded between two sheets of paper, creating a sleeve that wraps around the magazine. The result? A device that feels like paper but plays like a handheld console.

Instead of traditional buttons, the game uses seven capacitive touch sensors printed directly into the copper layer of the board. While there’s no mechanical feedback, the paper’s flex gives the sensors a satisfying, button-like feel. Bates specifically tuned the responsiveness to account for the thickness of the paper stock and the glues used in the final print run.

Power and Performance

Inside the edge of the magazine’s cover, next to the spine, you’ll find a thin rigid PCB housing an ARM-based 32-bit microprocessor and four rechargeable LIR2016 3V coin cell batteries. The device can be recharged using a USB-C cable, but the charging port is cleverly hidden along the bottom edge of the cover. Instead of a metal ring, it’s a small paper pocket containing a pin-covered head inside.

While the GamePop GP-1 doesn’t include modern Tetris features like piece previews or the ability to save tetrominoes, it’s still a marvel of engineering. The game includes sound effects, though only a snippet of the iconic Tetris theme is played to conserve battery life. You can play for an hour or two on a single charge, and the battery should last for months when not in use.

Limited Edition and Availability

Red Bull produced around 1,000 copies of the magazine, but only 150 featured the playable cover. These were distributed to Tetris competitors, those featured in the magazine, influencers, and select media. The magazine is available online in Europe and can also be found in select stores, including Iconic Magazines in New York and Rare Mags outside Manchester in the UK.

The Future of Gaming?

While the GamePop GP-1 isn’t going to revolutionize the print industry or pave the way for rollable smartphones, it’s a testament to what’s possible when creativity meets technology. This collaboration between Red Bull and Tetris is a bold step forward in reimagining how we interact with games and media.

Tags and Viral Phrases:

• Mind-Blowing Innovation
• Gaming Meets Print
• Paper-Thin Technology
• Tetris on a Magazine Cover
• Red Bull’s Game-Changing Move
• The Future of Portable Gaming
• Kevin Bates Strikes Again
• Play Tetris Anywhere
• Tech That Feels Like Magic
• Gaming Revolution in Your Hands
• The Ultimate Collector’s Item
• Red Bull and Tetris: A Match Made in Gaming Heaven
• Flexible Circuits: The Future is Here
• Ultra-Thin Gaming Device
• Tetris Like Never Before
• Gaming Meets Lifestyle
• The Magazine That Plays Games
• Innovation at Its Finest
• Red Bull’s Boldest Move Yet
• The GamePop GP-1: A Game-Changer

,