Tetris Effect is getting multiplayer as a timed Xbox-exclusive Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Tetris Effect is getting multiplayer as a timed Xbox-exclusive Connected. News by Wesley Yin-Poole Deputy Editorial Director Updated on 23 Jul 2020 34 comments Tetris Effect is getting multiplayer in time for Christmas 2020 on Xbox. Tetris Effect: Connected is considered Tetris Effect 2.0, and launches for Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Windows 10 PC, and Xbox Game Pass later this year. It includes Smart Delivery, Microsoft's current-gen to next-gen free upgrade program. The game includes Tetsuya Mizuguchi's wonderful original, single-player Tetris Effect with new co-op and competitive online and local multiplayer modes. Online or local co-op and competitive play is for 1-3 players (1-2 competitive, 1-3 co-op, with CPU players available). There's ranked and unranked, matchmaking and player progressions for unlockable avatars. Expect cross-play between all Xbox platforms, including Windows Store PC. New modes include Zone Battle, which incorporates Tetris Effect's time-stopping Zone mechanic, and the co-op Connected mode, where up to three players can connect their Tetris playfields together and play as one against CPU-controlled bosses. The multiplayer then launches on non-Xbox platforms in summer 2021 as a free update to all other existing versions of Tetris Effect (PlayStation 4, Epic Games Store, and Oculus Quest). There's no mention of a PlayStation 5 version in today's announcement. Watch on YouTube "We were blown away by the reaction to the original Tetris Effect," Mizuguchi said. "People just 'got it' on every level - as a game, of course, but also as this positive, emotional, life-affirming experience. Some people were shocked they could be so moved, even to tears, by a 'puzzle game,' which we took as the ultimate compliment. "But we also kept hearing that players wanted to share that experience with others. We want that, too - and especially as the world continues to adapt to unprecedented forms of isolation, it felt like a worthy challenge. Tetris Effect: Connected is our attempt to do just that: connect all different types of people, in cooperation or competition, via our universal love of Tetris." Development is being handled by the same team at Monstars Inc. and Resonair as the original Tetris Effect, with additional coding and networking help from Tokyo-based Stage Games. We adore Tetris Effect at Eurogamer, so this multiplayer expansion is hugely exciting. We've covered the game extensively - Christian Donlan's Tetris Effect review is the perfect start. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 3 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 10 Latest Articles Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 3 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store