Less than a week after the launch of the U.S. White House gaming website Arcade.Gov, "Build the Wall" disappeared from the page. As of 1:30 PM local time on September 8, the other four games released alongside it were still on the site, but the specific reason for "Build the Wall's" removal has not been disclosed.
"Build the Wall" is described as a game mimicking Tetris mechanics. It requires players to block continuously falling pieces, but completing a line does not clear it; instead, the blocks continue to pile up until the screen is filled and a "Game Over" message appears. As a result, players who tried the game believe it seems unwinnable.
The game also faced criticism for its theme and related wording. Arcade.Gov previously sparked online controversy by mentioning gaming companies such as Nintendo and Sega in its social media promotions.
The Tetris Company subsequently issued a statement, clearly stating that it was not involved in the production of "Build the Wall" and emphasizing its serious stance on copyright infringement. The company noted that for over forty years, Tetris has connected generations and cultures through gameplay, with its core objective always being to strategically stack blocks and clear as many lines as possible.
The Tetris Company stated it is reviewing the matter but did not disclose whether specific actions would be taken against "Build the Wall." Currently, "Build the Wall" is no longer available on Arcade.Gov, while the other four games launched at the same time remain visible.