Arcade.gov transforms Trump administration policies into retro-style video games, prompting debate over whether innovative communication can trivialize decisions affecting migrants.
In “Rio Run,” players patrol the Rio Grande, chase people attempting to cross the border, and finish the game with a deportation counter.
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The White House launched Arcade with five video games inspired by classic titles, according to EFE.
“Rio Run” uses mechanics similar to those of “Snake.”
The objective is to patrol the border and stop people who appear to be attempting to cross it.
At the end of the game, those people are counted as deported, turning one of Trump’s most controversial policies into a game mechanic.
The initiative of the deportations arcade game can be described as gamification: the use of elements commonly found in video games, such as objectives and scores, to present a message or activity.
Immigration also takes center stage in “Build the Wall,” a game inspired by the mechanics of “Tetris.”
Players must arrange blocks to construct a wall and, according to the official description cited by EFE, protect the border from the “approaching horde.”
This language adds another dimension to the debate: Not only is immigration policy transformed into entertainment, but people crossing the border are also portrayed as a threat.
However, it cannot be assumed that immigrants generally share the same reaction.
The available material does not include specific testimony from migrants or border organizations.
The strategy is not limited to immigration. Other games showcase the administration’s economic, food, and legislative initiatives.
“Supply Line” allows players to remove foods that do not meet the standards of “Make America Healthy Again,” while “Trump Savings Tycoon” promotes the so-called Trump Accounts.
“Flappy Bill” also appears on the website and features a bald eagle flying over the National Mall.
The underlying question extends beyond video games: Is this a new way to communicate public policy or a trivialization of decisions that directly affect individuals and families?
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SOURCE: EFE / The White House X
