‘Get Some Fresh Air’: Sky News Host Under Fire For Mocking 13-Year-Old Who Beat Tetris

Sky News host Jayne Secker came under fire from the gaming community after a patronising report covering teenage Tetris champion Willis Gibson, who became the first person in the world to beat the original 1989 Tetris game.

Gibson, from Oklahoma, made history this week playing the original game on NES, achieving what was previously thought impossible. The teen reached what is known as a ‘kill screen’, a level where the game crashes and cannot produce any more blocks, a feat believed achievable only by AI. The accomplishment was celebrated globally.

In her report, recounting the win, Secker signed off: “As a mother. I would just say, ‘Step away from the screen, go outside, get some fresh air. Beating Tetris is not a life goal.’ Speaking of fresh air, let’s look at the weather.”

Secker’s remarks during a Sky News broadcast sparked outrage.

Video Games Chronicle journalist Chris Scullion captured the moment, conveying his disappointment that Secker couldn’t see the value in the gaming achievement while having praised 16-year-old Luke Littler for making the World Darts Championship final.

Bhavina Bharkhada, head of comms at UKIE, the trade body for the UK games industry, also pointed out the double standards.

Other users and streamers joined in, quote tweeting Scullion and sharing their dismay:

Gibson’s own mother, a school teacher, publicly supported and celebrated her son’s Tetris endeavours in a interview with the New York Times.

For the record, congratulations Willis, from Mediaite UK!