Uvalde Shooting Lawsuit: Activision Defends Call of Duty
Activision is vigorously defending itself against lawsuits filed by Uvalde school shooting victims' families. These lawsuits, filed in May 2024, claim Call of Duty's violent content influenced the shooter. Activision denies any causal link and asserts its First Amendment rights.
The May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School shooting tragically claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers, injuring 17 more. The 18-year-old shooter, a former Robb Elementary student, played Call of Duty, including Modern Warfare (downloaded November 2021), and used an AR-15 rifle, similar to one depicted in the game. The lawsuit alleges Activision, along with Meta (via Instagram), fostered a harmful environment encouraging violence.
Activision's December filing, a 150-page response, rejects all allegations. The company argues for dismissal under California's anti-SLAPP laws, protecting free speech. Activision highlights Call of Duty's status as protected expression under the First Amendment, countering claims about its "hyper-realistic content."
Expert Testimony and Game Development Details
Supporting its defense, Activision submitted expert declarations. Notre Dame professor Matthew Thomas Payne's 35-page declaration contextualizes Call of Duty within the tradition of military-themed media, refuting the "training camp" assertion. Patrick Kelly, Call of Duty's head of creative, contributed a 38-page statement detailing the game's development, including the $700 million budget for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
The Uvalde families have until late February to respond to Activision's extensive defense. The case's outcome remains uncertain, yet it underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the connection between violent video games and mass shootings.
