Gaming stereotypes that still exist in 2024! We have previously reported on the news that a 13-year-old boy broke the record by clearing the NES version of "Tetris". This is the first time a human has successfully cleared the NES version of "Tetris" 34 years after its release. Previously, people thought that only AI could do it, and this boy is Willis Gibson from Oklahoma, USA. This move attracted widespread attention, but when the British media "Sky News" reported the incident, the host used closed-door stereotypes to mock Willis Gibson's achievements, which attracted criticism from a large number of industry insiders.
The 51-year-old "Sky News" host Jayne Secker reported the story of Willis Gibson during a live broadcast on Thursday. At the end of the report, Jayne Secker said extremely stereotypical words in a "parental tone": "As a mother, I just want to say: stay away from the screen, go outside, breathe some fresh air; beating Tetris is not a life goal", and on the same day, "Sky News" also reported and praised a 16-year-old darts player. After the news was shared on social media by VGC reporter Chris Scullion, it triggered criticism from a large number of game industry insiders.
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Bhavina Bharkada, communications director at UK games industry trade body UKIE, said: "The crazy thing about this kind of coverage is that if it was a children's chess champion, we would all celebrate it - they would even be invited to Downing Street to play chess."
Becky Frost, community manager at developer Rare, commented: “‘Beating Tetris is not a life goal’… Yes, for you, Secker, how many world records did you set at age 13? What a petty, horribly self-righteous way to belittle this kid’s achievements. As a mother, I would be extremely proud. It takes skill and determination, well done!”
Jimmy Bowers, community manager at developer SumoDigital, wrote: "As a father, I can safely tell you that if Kit set a world record by completing an unparalleled game at the age of 13, I would be extremely proud. This comment is so outdated and in such poor taste that it is a blow to a child and I have nothing to say."
In addition, many users pointed out thatTeenager Willis Gibson's mother, a school teacher, has spoken out in support of her son's Tetris career. Willis Gibson's mother told the New York Times: "He did other things besides playing Tetris, so it wasn't hard to say, 'OK.' It was harder to find an old CRT TV than to say, 'Yeah, we can do a little bit.'"