Call of Duty Giant Activision Responds to Accusations of Enabling Uvalde School Shooter
Activision’s Legal Defense Against Uvalde Shooting Lawsuits: A Lengthy, Emotional Response
The tragedy of the 2022 Uvalde school shooting still resonates, leaving the world in shock and grief. The incident, which resulted in the loss of 19 children and two teachers, has led to a wave of lawsuits against Activision Blizzard, Meta, and gun manufacturer Daniel Defense. In an effort to clear their name, Activision has submitted a comprehensive defense, spanning almost 150 pages of legal documentation. In this article, we’ll delve into the key points of their response.
The Lawsuits: A Grief-Stricken Community’s Plea
In May 2022, the shooting occurred at Robb Elementary School, leaving a trail of devastation. The families of the victims, who were either killed or injured, took to the courts to take action against Activision, claiming the company was responsible for "grooming" the 18-year-old perpetrator through their popular game, Call of Duty. The lawsuits were filed in both Texas and California, alleging that the game’s dark and violent content contributed to the shooter’s actions.
Activision’s Initial Defense: A Strong Denial of Liability
In December, Activision submitted its initial defense, a six-page direct response to the California lawsuit. In this document, the company denied "each and every allegation contained in the Complaint," claiming that there was no causal link between Call of Duty and the shooting. They also argued that the lawsuit should be dismissed based on California’s anti-SLAPP laws, designed to prevent the abuse of the legal system against a defendant’s free speech.
The Content of Call of Duty: Artistic Expression or Real-Life Simulation?
In a separate 35-page filing, Activision emphasized that Call of Duty is a form of artistic expression, allowing players to experience real-world combat scenarios faced by soldiers in modern warfare. They argue that the game is not responsible for the actions of one individual, as it is protected by the First Amendment. The company maintains that the game is not a "training camp for mass shooters" but instead an artistic expression that explores complex stories and scenarios.
Defending the Game: Testimony from Experts and Developers
To bolster their argument, Activision submitted testimony from several experts, including Dr. Matthew Thomas Payne, a Notre Dame media studies professor, who compared the Call of Duty series to critically acclaimed war movies and TV shows. He argued that the game is not a "training camp for mass shooters" but rather an artistic expression of real-world conflicts. Additionally, Call of Duty’s head of creative, Patrick Kelly, provided a 38-page declaration detailing the game’s design and creation, including the $700 million budget for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
Key Points and Counter-Arguments
During their submission, Activision highlighted two key points regarding the loading screen of 2019’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, which allegedly showed an assault rifle that the perpetrator learned about. Kelly emphasized that the image had been deliberately anonymized to remove any identifying features and that it had been updated by the time the perpetrator played the game in November 2021, making it unlikely that he would have seen the original image.
What’s Next?
The Uvalde families have until late February to respond to Activision’s submissions, and the publisher can then reply in April. If the case goes to trial, it will likely be a long and emotionally challenging process. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
Sources:
- Game File newsletter
- Activision’s direct legal reply to the Uvalde families’ lawsuit
- Activision’s defense in Call of Duty Uvalde lawsuit
- Declaration of Matthew Thomas Payne
- Call of Duty head of creative Patrick Kelly’s declaration
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s budget reveal
- Eurogamer.net article
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