Sky News anchor Jayne Secker faced a barrage of criticism from social media users this week after making a dismissive comment towards a 13-year-old gamer who achieved a groundbreaking feat in Nintendo's version of "Tetris."
Willis Gibson, the young gamer in question, reached the highest level ever achieved in the game, causing its coding to crash. However, during her Sky News broadcast, Secker took a moment to tell Gibson to "get some fresh air," adding that "beating Tetris is not a life goal."
This comment sparked outrage among online users who found it condescending and belittling towards Gibson's remarkable achievement. Since the release of the game on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, no one had ever accomplished what Gibson did, making it a significant milestone for both him and the Tetris community.
The U.K.-based Nintendo fan community, "Nintendo South Wales," came to Gibson's defense, criticizing Secker's "priggish, ignorant belittlement" of his achievement and highlighting the ongoing stigma surrounding gaming.
Popular YouTuber "Cynical Reviews" also condemned Secker's comment, describing it as "condescending" and "utterly pathetic" to say such a thing to a child who had accomplished something noteworthy.
Another user, "Optimus," questioned Secker's bitterness towards Gibson's achievement, suggesting that a 50-year-old news anchor who likely spends hours scrolling through social media platforms should not be dismissive of a 13-year-old's groundbreaking accomplishment.
Twitch streamer and content creator "Punz" expressed his disdain for Secker, stating, "I hate people like this lady. This kid did something that no one has ever done before. An insane accomplishment."
Secker's comment has ignited a broader conversation about the perception of gaming and the achievements within the gaming community. Many argue that accomplishments in gaming should be celebrated and recognized as significant milestones, rather than dismissed or belittled.
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