Guide to Surviving Encounters with Unseen Liminal Entities

**Trump’s White House Arcade: A Contentious Recreation Inspired by Recognizable Games**

Recently, the White House during President Trump’s administration launched an “arcade” section on its official website that includes MAGA-themed versions of popular video games. One of these is a game called *Build the Wall*, which bears a striking resemblance to the classic puzzle game *Tetris*. This new feature has ignited controversy and backlash, including a vigorous response from The Tetris Company, the legitimate owner of the *Tetris* brand.

On September 4, the Tetris Company used Instagram to voice their disapproval of the White House’s use of their intellectual property. They highlighted their view of gaming as a platform for fostering connections among people, stating, “At Tetris, we believe in the power of connection and bringing people together, not dividing them.” The post resonated with their fanbase, which has since flooded the comments section urging the company to take legal action against the Trump administration.

The Tetris Company released a definitive disclaimer asserting they had no role in the creation of *Build the Wall*, reiterating their dedication to safeguarding their copyright. They issued a straightforward message, “P.S. The Tetris Company was not involved in the creation of ‘Build the Wall.’ P.P.S. We take copyright infringement very seriously.” This stance was positively received by fans and the media alike, who are advocating for the protection of creative works against perceived unauthorized usage for political gain.

Should the Tetris Company opt to pursue legal action, it could establish a significant precedent as it would represent the first time a video game company has legally contested a presidential administration over the unauthorized use of its intellectual property in a political arena. This scenario is not entirely unprecedented, given that prior marketing and social media content produced by Trump’s team has featured improper adaptations of franchises like *Persona 5*, *Halo*, and even a MAGA rendition of the *Pokémon* theme.

In March, the Pokémon Company also released a statement distancing itself from these political adaptations. Spokeswoman Sravanthi Dev remarked, “We were not involved in its creation or distribution, and no permission was granted for the use of our intellectual property.” Their goal, she asserted, is to unite the world rather than endorse specific political agendas. Despite their attempts to separate themselves from Trump’s usage of their brand imagery, no legal actions have been taken to date. Reports suggest that officials in Japan are advocating for an end to these practices, indicating a broader international concern regarding the exploitation of cherished gaming and anime franchises.

As the controversy continues, the question lingers: will the Tetris Company take action against the White House’s appropriation of its game, or will it follow the lead of other companies that have opted for silence? The situation remains dynamic as the intersection of politics and gaming culture progresses, drawing public attention to the ramifications of copyright in political discourse.

Sony is executing considerable layoffs at Bungie, potentially impacting hundreds of developers. This move follows the end of support for the well-known game, *Destiny 2*. In spite of these reductions, Hermen Hulst, the head of PlayStation Studios, has highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to *Marathon*, an extraction shooter released earlier this year. Hulst characterized *Marathon* as a “significant” part of Sony’s gaming portfolio, vowing to back the development team as they expand on the achievements of Seasons 1 and 2 and work on new initiatives.

*Marathon* garnered a favorable response on both Steam and console platforms following its launch in March, receiving high acclaim from both players and reviewers. Nevertheless, the game has struggled to retain traction and draw in new players, experiencing waning interest as it progressed into its second season. To stimulate player involvement, Bungie rolled out new classes, maps, and modes, including a recent promotional week during which the game was available for free play.

To tackle the game’s issues, Bungie is preparing to introduce a PVE-only mode in July. This update will enable players to delve into the Cryo Archive, *Marathon*’s end-game dungeon, free from the pressures of PVP gameplay. While there are concerns that this transition might weaken the game’s fundamental appeal, it is hoped that the new mode could engage a wider audience.

Looking ahead, Bungie has been hinting at content for season 3 and has alluded to a long-term narrative strategy. Nonetheless, uncertainties persist regarding the future of *Marathon*, particularly following Sony’s recent actions concerning its live-service games, including the shutdown of *Destiny 2*. This raises questions regarding the company’s approach, especially considering their decision to keep investing in *Marathon* amid its difficulties.

Hulst has indicated that the *Marathon* team is also working on early development for new projects, implying that Sony is eager to leverage Bungie’s expertise for future undertakings. As the situation develops, it remains unclear how these layoffs and investments will affect the durability and success of *Marathon* and Bungie’s wider contributions to the gaming industry.

**Sony to Retire PlayStation Network Branding by 2026**

In a notable alteration in branding approach, Sony is reportedly preparing to eliminate the “PlayStation Network” (PSN) branding by the conclusion of summer 2026. Insider Gaming has obtained internal communications confirming that the company intends to phase out these terms as part of an initiative to unify its branding and enhance the user experience.

Initially launched in 2006 alongside the PlayStation 3, the PlayStation Network was created to establish a framework for online gaming and digital services, including the PlayStation Store. Over time, the brand has adapted, but as gaming has progressively shifted to online formats, the line between online and offline gameplay has become unclear. Numerous players now participate in online activities irrespective of a specific designation, resulting in confusion regarding the PSN label.

According to sources within Sony, this rebranding will not impact the fundamental functionality of the network. The essential features related to online play—such as friends lists, multiplayer gaming, and trophy systems—will remain unchanged despite the discontinuation of the PSN name. An internal email noted, “To simplify and unify branding, the terms ‘PlayStation Network’ and ‘PSN’ will be phased out across all SIE assets by September 2026.”

Initial indications of this branding shift have been noted by PlayStation Lifestyle, which observed that on the PS5 console, the term “PlayStation Network” has been streamlined to just “PlayStation.” Furthermore, the formerly designated PSN logo has been eliminated, and the status page for the service is now referred to as “PlayStation Status.”

This movement toward de-branding aligns with user expectations, as many gamers chiefly associate online gaming with the PlayStation Plus service rather than with a specific “PSN” identity. The notion of possessing a separate label for accessing digital stores is increasingly perceived as redundant in the current gaming atmosphere.

The choice to phase out the PSN branding signifies a significant evolution in how Sony aims to streamline its services and engage with its audience. While it may require some time for gamers to adapt to this alteration, its implementation appears to be a logical response to the prevailing online gaming environment, where clarity and simplicity are vital for user satisfaction.

As the gaming industry continues to progress, it remains uncertain how these branding modifications will resonate with the community. Nonetheless, for now, it seems the future of online gaming on PlayStation will advance without the PSN name as of September 2026.