The White House has removed a Tetris clone titled "Build the Wall" from its official website, Arcade.gov, following a warning from The Tetris Company regarding copyright infringement and the game's divisive message. The game, which described itself as a way to "Protect the border from the coming horde," was part of a new "Arcade" section launched on September 4.
"Build the Wall" functioned similarly to Tetris but suffered from technical issues, including a failure to clear lines. Beyond its problematic gameplay and description, the game also mirrored the Tetris design without authorization. The Tetris Company publicly stated on Instagram that it was not involved in the creation of "Build the Wall" and takes copyright infringement "very seriously." The company also emphasized its commitment to "connection and bringing people together, not dividing them."
While The Tetris Company has not confirmed direct communication with the White House, the game's swift removal suggests a response to their statement. This action contrasts with the silence from many other game companies whose intellectual property has allegedly been used by the Trump administration for similar purposes. Examples cited include the use of Pokémon's "Gotta Catch ‘Em All" theme with footage of ICE raids, and the appropriation of Sega's logo and Sonic the Hedgehog's Green Hill Zone theme, as well as console boot-up sequences from PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox 360, in other promotional materials.