Activision Defends Against Uvalde School Shooting Lawsuit

Activision Rebuts Uvalde Lawsuit Claims, Invoking First Amendment Protections

Activision Blizzard has filed a robust defense against lawsuits linking its Call of Duty franchise to the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, vehemently denying any causal relationship and asserting its content is protected under the First Amendment. The lawsuits, filed by victims' families in May 2024, allege the shooter's exposure to Call of Duty's violent content contributed to the tragedy.

The May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School shooting claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers, injuring 17 others. The shooter, a former Robb Elementary 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 access to firearm advertisements. Plaintiffs contend both companies fostered an environment encouraging violent behavior among vulnerable adolescents.

Activision's December filing, a comprehensive 150-page response, refutes all allegations. The company argues no direct link exists between Call of Duty and the Uvalde shooting, and seeks dismissal under California's anti-SLAPP laws, designed to safeguard free speech. Activision further emphasizes Call of Duty's status as an expressive work protected by the First Amendment, challenging the notion that its "hyper-realistic content" violates this right.

Supporting its defense, Activision submitted expert declarations. A 35-page statement from Notre Dame professor Matthew Thomas Payne contextualizes Call of Duty within the established tradition of military realism in film and television, directly countering the lawsuit's "training camp" assertion. A separate 38-page declaration from Call of Duty's head of creative, Patrick Kelly, details the game's development, including the $700 million budget allocated to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

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