An arcade game resembling Tetris is no longer available on the White House’s recently launched retro-style video game hub after the company behind the longstanding gaming title warned of possible legal action.
The Build the Wall game, which appeared when the White House launched its online arcade Sept. 3, was no longer available on the government’s website as of Sept. 10. However, CNN and NBC News reported that the game had been gone as recently as Sept. 9.
The controversial game involves players stacking falling bricks to build a wall to stop migrants from crossing the U.S. southern border, borrowing gameplay mechanics closely associated with the arcade game Tetris. Its removal follows a statement The Tetris Company posted on social media Sept. 4, assuring that it had no involvement with the project.
“At Tetris, we believe in the power of connection and bringing people together, not dividing them,” the company wrote.
The company added: “P.P.S. We take copyright infringement very seriously.”
As of Sept. 10, the White House has not publicly disclosed why the game was removed. Tetris’ reps told CNN that it had “no comment” on the Build the Wall game’s removal.
USA TODAY contacted the White House and The Tetris Company for comment, but has not received a response.
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