Activision Rebuts Uvalde Lawsuit Claims Against Call of Duty

Activision has filed a robust defense against lawsuits filed by Uvalde shooting victims' families, refuting claims linking Call of Duty to the tragedy. The May 2024 lawsuits allege the shooter's exposure to the game's violent content contributed to the Robb Elementary School massacre in May 2022, where 19 children and two teachers were killed, and 17 others injured. The shooter, a former Robb Elementary student, played Call of Duty, including Modern Warfare, and used an AR-15 rifle, similar to one depicted in the game. The families' lawsuit also implicated Meta, alleging Instagram facilitated connections between the shooter and firearm manufacturers.

Activision's December filing, a 150-page document, vehemently denies any causal link between Call of Duty and the shooting. The company seeks dismissal under California's anti-SLAPP laws, protecting free speech from frivolous litigation. Activision further asserts Call of Duty's content is protected under the First Amendment, arguing that claims based on its "hyper-realistic content" infringe upon this fundamental right.

Supporting its defense, Activision submitted expert declarations. Professor Matthew Thomas Payne of Notre Dame University (35-page declaration) counters the lawsuit's "training camp" assertion, arguing Call of Duty's military realism aligns with established conventions in war films and television. Patrick Kelly, Call of Duty's head of creative, provides a 38-page account of the game's development, including details on the $700 million budget for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

The Uvalde families have until late February to respond to Activision's comprehensive filings. The outcome remains uncertain, but this case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the link between violent video games and mass shootings.