The makers of the classic game Tetris have indicated they are considering legal action against the White House, alleging copyright infringement over a new online game titled "Build the Wall." The game, which debuted on the official White House website on Thursday, challenges users to construct the Southern border using colorful blocks in a manner described as Tetris-inspired.
In a statement, the creators of Tetris asserted that they take copyright infringement "very seriously" and emphasized their game's aim to "connect people, not divide them." They confirmed they had no involvement in the creation of the White House game. The makers informed Variety that they are currently reviewing their legal options.
The White House has not yet issued a public response to Tetris's claims. The administration launched a suite of five online arcade games on Wednesday, accessible through its website. These games, including "Build the Wall," "Flappy Bill," and "Trump Savings Tycoon," appear to draw inspiration from popular vintage games such as Flappy Bird, Tetris, and Snake. The White House social media accounts promoted the arcade with the caption "CAN'T STOP WINNING." A sixth game is reportedly planned.
Tetris, created by Russian software engineer Alexey Pajitnov, was first released in 1984. It gained widespread popularity in the Soviet Union before being introduced to North American and European markets in 1988. The game's release on Nintendo later that year sold over two million copies, and its subsequent launch on Game Boy sold an additional 35 million units, cementing its status as a global phenomenon.
The games on the White House website appear to align with the Trump Administration's policy initiatives, covering themes such as border protection, financial management, and public health.