Many gamers can relate to the frustration of experiencing a poor internet connection during an intense gaming session, typically leading to complaints about the game, other players, or the internet service. However, an extraordinary event unfolded in France that extended beyond usual grievances.
A gamer known as JimmyBLLT, displaying a profile picture of Everton midfielder Iliman Ndiaye on social media, expressed his frustration on Twitter during a Call of Duty game. He aimed his frustration at Xavier Niel, the majority shareholder of Iliad SA—one of France’s major internet service providers—by issuing a challenge: “Xavier Niel, I despise you. I challenge you to a 1-on-1 outside the Lidl on rue Sainte in Marseille.”
While such outbursts typically dissipate into the digital ether, this incident took a notable turn when Niel responded. Six months after the original tweet, Niel appeared at the designated Lidl and took to Twitter to respond, “I’m waiting for you,” quoting JimmyBLLT’s initial challenge.
When the moment to meet arrived, however, JimmyBLLT chose not to confront Niel. He later clarified that his tweet was an impulsive reaction to severe game lag—a common frustration among online gamers. Citing a stomach bug and a headache as reasons for his absence, he apologized and retracted his challenge, saying, “Sorry, I give up.” This event highlights the unexpected ways social media can escalate situations and serves as a reminder of the necessity for dependable internet service to ensure a smooth gaming experience.
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