Over the last few decades, developer From Software has built a brand around its ridiculously difficult games. Its newest title, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, is no different. Each new release inevitably sparks a debate about the medium’s accessibility, but at least this time around, the internet got a new copypasta out of it.
A PC Gamer article detailing how the author beat Sekiro with cheats particularly ruffled gaming purists’ feathers last week. There were thousands of angry comments that eventually ran the author, James Davenport, off Twitter, but one quickly captured the internet’s attention.
“You cheated not only the game, but yourself,” begins what appears to be an earnestly upset comment left by Twitter user @Fetusberry. “You didn’t grow. You didn’t improve. You took a shortcut and gained nothing. You experienced a hollow victory. Nothing was risked and nothing was gained. It’s sad that you don’t know the difference.”
You cheated not only the game, but yourself.
— Fetusberry『Ass Bastard』 Crunch (@Fetusberry) April 6, 2019
You didn’t grow.
You didn’t improve.
You took a shortcut and gained nothing.
You experienced a hollow victory.
Nothing was risked and nothing was gained.
It’s sad that you don’t know the difference. https://t.co/upkhLSNQNO
He later clarified on Twitter how his response was intentionally melodramatic. But the comment’s tone so perfectly captured the “git gud” argument among the gaming community’s less inclusive members that it quickly grew into a viral copypasta. In a twist of irony, the user later admitted he’d never played Sekiro in the first place.
https://twitter.com/ogecebel/status/1115993471506997250
You cheated not only the game, but yourself.
— Super302/Soup (@Super3022) April 11, 2019
You didn’t grow.
You didn’t improve.
You took a shortcut and gained nothing.
You experienced a hollow victory.
Nothing was risked and nothing was gained.
It’s sad that you don’t know the difference. pic.twitter.com/AUi4SjJMOZ
https://twitter.com/JaysonsRage/status/1114719026176040960
Of course, gatekeeping is hardly unique to the gaming community, so the copypasta soon transformed into digs at just about everything under the sun, including the ridiculously long running time for Avengers: End Game.
You’re only a REAL coffee drinker if you drink it BLACK.
— RagnarRox🏴☠️ (@RagnarRoxShow) April 8, 2019
If you add milk or sugar, you DILUTE not only the coffee, but YOURSELF.
You didn’t SUFFER through the BITTERNESS.
You took a shortcut and gained NOTHING.
It’s sad that you don’t know the difference.
https://twitter.com/galpalsavenue/status/1115031469074857984
me: *pees during avenger*
— Marina Kittaka 橘高 ⚔️Angeline Era Demo!🌿 (@even_kei) April 10, 2019
kevin feige: You cheated not only the movie but yourself. You didn’t grow. You didn’t improve. You took a shortcut and gained nothing. You experienced a hollow victory. Nothing was risked and nothing was gained. Its sad that you don’t know the difference https://t.co/Vw4TdkxOb5
Then came the in-game edits, with enthusiasts splicing the internet’s newest meme into classic favorites like Banjo Kazooie, Super Mario 64, and Earthbound. Cam Clarke, the voice actor for the Metal Gear Solid series’ character Liquid Snake, contributed an in-character iteration.
Given its track record, this likely won’t be the last time a From Software game stirs up vehement proponents both for and against increased accessibility in video games. At least this time, the internet’s not walking away from the fiery debate empty-handed.
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