A formal conference held by Italian lawmakers was brought to a screeching halt after pornography featuring Tifa Lockhart from Final Fantasy VII was played during the digital meeting.
The gathering in question, which was being held by Five Star Movement Senator, Maria Laura Mantovani, was interrupted by the explicit footage shortly after the introduction of Giorgio Parisi, a recent winner of the Nobel Prize for physics. Based on the footage it seems as if the Zoom meeting was hijacked by an unwanted attendant who displayed the fan-made pornography by sharing their screen with the rest of the call. While the video is still playing, Mantovani continues what sounds like a planned speech before a shouting man brings her attention to the footage. It takes roughly 30 seconds for the feed to be killed after which the meeting continues normally. What was meant to be a discussion on data transparency quickly became a meme on social media, causing Tifa Lockhart to trend on Twitter. The creator of the video even commented on a clip, simply noting that they felt honored to have their work seen by so many people in such a bizarre setting.
It's currently unknown who played the video during the meeting. Some viewers believe it to have been one of the invited members simply forgetting to close an incriminating tab before sharing their screen but the Italian government has confirmed it to be an unwanted agent. The officials confirmed that the perpetrator used the screen name Alex Spence, a title which is most likely a pseudonym.
Final Fantasy VII is arguably the most beloved game in the long-running role-playing franchise. As Cloud, a gruff mercenary with a chip on his shoulder, players embark on a sweeping journey through several vibrant locations with the goal of toppling Shinra, an evil corporation dedicated to harvesting the world's natural resources. Tifa Lockhart is one of the game's most prominent side-characters as she forms a unique bond with Cloud that helps to melt his icy heart.
Final Fantasy VII is such a popular entry in the franchise that the game was remade from the ground up for PlayStation 4 and PC. This version of the RPG features several substantial twists on the original narrative but its tight combat and impressive presentation were enough to please fans all over again.