The White House removed a Tetris-style arcade game titled 'Build the Wall' from its official website on Tuesday, days after the Tetris Company warned of potential copyright infringement.
The game, which mirrored the mechanics of Tetris by tasking players with stacking blocks to construct a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border, was part of a series of five arcade-style games launched last week to promote Trump administration policies. Other games included 'Flappy Bill' (a Flappy Bird clone) and 'Rio Run' (a Snake-like game simulating border patrol).
As of Wednesday, the 'Build the Wall' game was no longer accessible on the White House’s arcade section, though the White House has not issued a public explanation for its removal. The Tetris Company confirmed it was not involved in the game’s creation and stated it takes copyright infringement seriously.
-- Immediate Action & Core Facts --
1. White House removes game after legal threat
The White House removed the 'Build the Wall' game from its website on Tuesday, shortly after the Tetris Company raised concerns about its use of Tetris’s intellectual property. The game had been available on the White House’s arcade page since last week, alongside other policy-themed games.
2. Tetris Company cites copyright infringement
The Tetris Company stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that it was not involved in the creation of the game and does not authorize the use of its brand or mechanics. The company added that it takes copyright violations seriously and is reviewing the matter. The statement did not specify whether legal action would follow.
-- Deeper Dive & Context --
Game mechanics and content
The 'Build the Wall' game tasked players with stacking colorful blocks to construct a wall along the southern border while repelling a "Zombie Border Siege." Failure to complete the wall resulted in a message reading: “Border Breached.” The game’s introduction instructed users to “hold the line” against the simulated threat.
The White House’s arcade page also featured other games, including:
- 'Flappy Bill': Players control a bald eagle navigating monuments from the National Mall, resembling the mechanics of Flappy Bird.
- 'Rio Run': A Snake-like game where players patrol a river, picking up crossers.
- 'Supply Line': A game where players sort school lunches to promote the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative.
White House response and lack of comment
The White House has not publicly explained why the 'Build the Wall' game was removed. Requests for comment from multiple outlets, including NBC News, BBC, and Newsweek, went unanswered as of Wednesday.
Tetris Company’s prior legal actions
The Tetris Company has a history of enforcing its intellectual property rights. In 2012, it settled a lawsuit with the makers of the iPhone game Mino, which it claimed copied the look and feel of Tetris. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Promotional materials and broader context
The White House promoted the arcade games using modified versions of popular media, including an Xbox startup animation and other viral game references. The games were part of a broader effort to engage audiences through interactive content tied to Trump administration policies.
Archival evidence of removal timeline
An internet archive of the White House website, saved by the Wayback Machine, indicates the 'Build the Wall' game was still accessible as of Monday afternoon but disappeared by Tuesday. The other four games remain available on the site.
-- Background & Related Developments --
The removal of the game follows a pattern of the Trump administration using digital media to promote its agenda, including social media campaigns and interactive content. The arcade games were launched amid ongoing debates over immigration policy and border security, issues central to the Trump administration’s platform.