The White House has taken down a Tetris-inspired game from its newly launched arcade website following a copyright dispute. The game, titled “Build the Wall” with the subtitle “Zombie Border Siege,” challenged players to construct barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent virtual invaders from crossing. The White House debuted the arcade.gov site on September 3, featuring five politically themed games, but the Tetris knockoff was removed by Tuesday after the Tetris Company issued a statement asserting its intellectual property rights.
The Tetris Company responded to the unauthorized use of its game mechanics with a public statement emphasizing its commitment to unity rather than division. Company representatives confirmed they had no involvement in creating the border-themed game and indicated they were reviewing the situation to determine what legal action might be necessary. Neither White House officials nor Tetris Company representatives have provided additional commentary on the matter.
Other games remain available on the White House gaming platform, including titles such as “Rio Run,” which involves patrolling immigration borders, and “Trump Savings Tycoon,” where players collect virtual cash. The removal of “Build the Wall” marks the first takedown from the arcade collection, though questions persist about whether other games on the site may face similar intellectual property challenges.
Originally reported by Variety →
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