The Tetris Company has publicly distanced itself from “Build the Wall,” a new arcade-style game released by the White House that bears a striking resemblance to its iconic puzzle title. According to an Instagram post, the company confirms it was not involved in the creation of the game, which is part of a collection of six new browser-based titles launched on Thursday.
In its statement, The Tetris Company emphasized its commitment to community and connection, adding that it “takes copyright infringement very seriously.” A spokesperson further clarified to Engadget that the organization neither authorized nor licensed the Tetris brand or intellectual property for the White House project. The company noted that it is currently reviewing the matter.
“Build the Wall” Task players with stacking falling bricks into a wall that continuously grows, rather than clearing lines as in traditional Tetris gameplay. The game’s objective is to hold back a “zombie horde” advancing from a labeled “Southern Border,” a mechanic that aligns with former President Donald Trump’s long-standing policy goal of constructing a barrier along the US-Mexico border.
This incident follows a pattern of the Trump administration utilizing gaming culture and pop culture references for civic engagement, sometimes without proper licensing. Previous efforts, such as using Halo imagery for ICE recruitment, have resulted in DMCA takedowns. Observers suggest that if The Tetris Company pursues legal action, the entire suite of White House browser games could face similar challenges.
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