Activision Defends 'Call of Duty' in Uvalde Lawsuit
Activision Rebuts Uvalde Shooting Lawsuit, Citing First Amendment Protections
Activision Blizzard has filed a robust defense against lawsuits linking its Call of Duty franchise to the 2022 Uvalde school shooting tragedy. Filed in May 2024 by families of the victims, the lawsuits claim the shooter's exposure to Call of Duty's violent content contributed to the massacre. Activision vehemently denies these allegations.
The May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School shooting tragically claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers, injuring 17 more. The shooter, an 18-year-old former student, was a known Call of Duty player, having downloaded Modern Warfare in November 2021. The lawsuit also implicated Meta, alleging its Instagram platform facilitated the shooter's connection to firearm manufacturers.
Activision's December filing, a comprehensive 150-page response, refutes all claims of direct causation between Call of Duty and the tragedy. The company invoked California's anti-SLAPP laws, designed to shield free speech from frivolous litigation, and asserted that Call of Duty, as a form of artistic expression, is protected under the First Amendment. The argument counters the plaintiffs' assertions that the game's "hyper-realistic content" fostered violent behavior.
Expert Testimony Bolsters Activision's Defense
To support its position, Activision submitted declarations from prominent experts. Notre Dame professor Matthew Thomas Payne's 35-page statement contextualizes Call of Duty within the established tradition of military-themed entertainment, rejecting the lawsuit's characterization of the game as a "training camp for mass shooters." Patrick Kelly, Call of Duty's head of creative, contributed a 38-page document detailing the game's development, including the substantial $700 million budget allocated to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
The plaintiffs have until late February to respond to Activision's extensive documentation. The outcome remains uncertain, but the case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the potential link between violent video games and real-world violence.
