The White House website on Thursday unveiled Arcade, a collection of five low-resolution video games that promote different aspects of President Donald Trump’s agenda.
“Build the Wall” is a “Tetris” knockoff that transforms the classic game into an effort to “Protect the border from the coming horde.” In “Rio Run,” which resembles the mobile favorite “Snake,” an icon resembling Trump runs around gathering potential border crossers.
In “Supply Line,” which looks like a condensed version of the arcade game “Tapper,” food moves along an assembly line and you must reject items that don’t meet “Make America Healthy Again” standards.
Two of the games take place over the skies of the nation’s capital. In “Flappy Bill,” an eagle carries a bill across the National Mall. In “Trump Savings Tycoon,” your goal is to collect money flying through the air to “Fill your kids’ Trump Accounts,” the administration savings plan that offers $1,000 to every child born during Trump’s term.
In a statement Friday, The Tetris Company said it “was not involved in the creation of ‘Build the Wall’ and did not authorize or license the Tetris brand or intellectual property for the game.”
Pointing out that the object of the original game is to avoid building a wall, the company said, “For more than 40 years, Tetris has brought people together across generations and cultures through play and joy.” It added, “We are currently reviewing the matter.”
The White House announced Arcade on social media with a series of animations parodying Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo loading screens. In one such post, the Sega logo turns into “MAGA,” as in Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.
On Thursday, the White House launched « Arcade, » a collection of five low-resolution video games designed to promote facets of President Donald Trump’s agenda. Each game offers a unique twist on popular gaming formats while aligning with specific political themes.
The first game, “Build the Wall,” is a parody of the classic game « Tetris. » In this version, players are tasked with protecting the U.S. border by arranging falling blocks to construct a wall, reflecting Trump’s campaign promise to enhance border security. The game aims to engage users in the ongoing debate about immigration and border protection.
Next is “Rio Run,” which draws inspiration from the mobile game « Snake. » In this game, an avatar resembling Trump navigates the screen, collecting icons representing potential border crossers. The objective is to gather as many items as possible while avoiding obstacles, further illustrating the administration’s stance on immigration issues.
“Supply Line” takes cues from the arcade game « Tapper. » Players manage an assembly line where they must sort food items, rejecting those that do not meet the “Make America Healthy Again” standards. This game emphasizes the administration’s focus on health and nutrition, albeit in a simplified and gamified format.
The next two games are set against the backdrop of Washington, D.C. In “Flappy Bill,” players control an eagle that carries a bill across the National Mall, suggesting a playful take on legislative processes. Meanwhile, “Trump Savings Tycoon” tasks players with collecting money that floats through the air, intended to represent contributions to “Trump Accounts,” a savings initiative promising $1,000 for every child born during Trump’s presidency.
The announcement of Arcade was accompanied by a series of social media posts that featured animations mimicking the loading screens of popular gaming consoles like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo. For instance, one animation transformed the Sega logo into “MAGA,” an acronym for Trump’s « Make America Great Again » slogan.
However, the launch was not without controversy. The Tetris Company issued a statement clarifying that it was not involved in the creation of “Build the Wall” and had not authorized or licensed its brand or intellectual property for this game. They pointed out that the original objective of « Tetris » is to avoid building walls, noting that “For more than 40 years, Tetris has brought people together across generations and cultures through play and joy.” The company confirmed that it is currently reviewing the situation regarding the game.
The Arcade initiative can be seen as an effort to engage younger audiences and supporters through interactive entertainment, blending gaming culture with political messaging. In a time where digital influence is paramount, the White House’s foray into video games reflects an understanding of how to potentially reach and mobilize constituents through modern mediums.
Overall, the Arcade collection is a creative yet polarizing attempt to merge gaming with political advocacy, highlighting the intersection of culture and politics in contemporary America.
