The White House has removed a Tetris clone, titled "Build the Wall," from its "arcade" website following public criticism from The Tetris Company and a reminder that the company takes copyright infringement seriously. The game, which allowed players to construct a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, was part of a collection of web games launched on September 4 that have been described as poorly made and politically charged.
Shortly after the site's launch, The Tetris Company issued a statement clarifying its non-involvement and emphasizing its history of protecting its intellectual property through legal battles. The company's stance highlighted its commitment to connecting people, contrasting with the theme of the removed game. The potential for legal action appears to have prompted the White House to take down the Tetris parody.
This incident marks a notable instance where a video game company has publicly responded to the Trump administration's use of game-inspired imagery. While the White House has previously incorporated elements from games like Halo, Pokémon, Call of Duty, and Animal Crossing into propaganda, often without direct legal threats from the respective companies, The Tetris Company's firm stance appears to have been effective. As of September 8, the "Build the Wall" game was no longer accessible on the White House's web game portal, suggesting a successful assertion of copyright concerns.