White House removes Tetris-style game over copyright concerns

The White House has removed a Tetris-themed web game, "Build the Wall," from its website over the weekend. This action followed a statement from The Tetris Company disavowing any connection to the game and emphasizing its commitment to addressing copyright infringement.

The "Build the Wall" game featured an anti-immigration theme, challenging players to stop a "zombie border siege" by stacking Tetris-like blocks. Unlike the original Tetris, completed lines in this game did not disappear, effectively creating a barrier against pixelated "zombies" advancing from the "Southern Border." This modification rendered the gameplay primarily a propaganda tool and often resulted in an ironic "Border Breached" message as the blocks inevitably filled the screen.

Critics also voiced concerns about the game's theme. Amerika Garcia Grewal, co-director of the Texas-based migrant rights group Frontera Federation, told AFP that the game's creators "have lost touch with what it means to be human and care for others."

The removal suggests the White House is seeking to avoid legal conflict regarding the use of Tetris's intellectual property.