Activision Defends in Lawsuit Related to School Tragedy

Uvalde Shooting Lawsuit: Activision Defends Call of Duty

Activision vigorously defends its Call of Duty franchise against lawsuits filed by Uvalde shooting victims' families. The families allege the game's violent content influenced the shooter. Activision's comprehensive response, filed in December, denies any direct link between Call of Duty and the tragedy.

The May 2024 lawsuit stems from the Robb Elementary School shooting in May 2022, where 19 children and two teachers were killed, and 17 others injured. The 18-year-old shooter, a former Robb Elementary student, was a Call of Duty player and used an AR-15 rifle, similar to one in the game. The lawsuit also names Meta, alleging Instagram facilitated the shooter's connection to firearm manufacturers.

Activision's 150-page defense utilizes California's anti-SLAPP laws to protect free speech, arguing Call of Duty is protected under the First Amendment. The company refutes claims that the game's realistic content constitutes a "training camp for mass shooters."

Supporting its position, 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, contrasting it with the lawsuit's assertions. Patrick Kelly, Call of Duty's creative head, provided a 38-page document detailing the game's development, including the substantial budget for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

The Uvalde families have until late February to respond to Activision's detailed defense. This case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the link between violent video games and mass shootings, with the ultimate outcome remaining uncertain.