A Micromania employee in Nice tried to protect his store from looters and earned widespread online praise.
A video game store employee in France has gone viral after footage showed him standing up to rioters trying to break into his workplace. Identified only as Pierre, the Micromania worker faced a group of attackers during unrest in Nice on October 17. Despite being knocked to the ground, he kept trying to defend the store, earning support from gamers worldwide.
Micromania Employee Faces Down Rioters
Videos circulating on social media showed Pierre standing in the entrance of the store on Avenue Jean-Médecin, attempting to prevent people from entering. At one point, he left the doorway to chase some of the attackers away. However, as he returned, one individual kicked him from behind, knocking him to the ground. Objects were also thrown at him as others continued trying to enter the shop.
Pierre got back up and returned to the entrance, even after someone helped him recover his glasses. Despite his efforts, the store was eventually looted. Images shared online showed broken shelves and video games scattered across the floor, highlighting the damage caused during the incident.
The footage quickly spread across social media, with many viewers praising Pierre for trying to protect his workplace. One detail in particular caught the attention of gaming fans: a large image of Dragon Ball protagonist Goku stood right beside him as he faced the attackers. The visual sparked instant comparisons between the worker and the Saiyan hero, with gamers dubbing him the real-life equivalent of Goku.
Fundraiser Launched To Support Viral Store Worker
Following the incident, Pierre received an outpouring of support from people online. A fundraiser was launched to help him during the aftermath, with its description highlighting his dedication to the store and the local gaming community.
The campaign called on fellow gamers to back Pierre after he was injured attempting to protect the shop. According to Dexerto, the fundraiser quickly surged past €5,600 from nearly 200 donors within hours of going live.
Pierre later reflected on his decision to confront the crowd, admitting that he probably should not have put himself in danger. He explained that he acted on instinct in the moment.
The incident took place amid wider unrest across France, where numerous businesses were damaged or looted during demonstrations. While Pierre's actions have turned him into a viral folk hero among gamers, his experience also highlights the severe risks retail workers face when street unrest turns violent.
What do you think about Pierre's stand at Micromania? Let us know in the comments!
