Summary

• Activision denies allegations linking Call of Duty to the Uvalde tragedy, defending its content as protected free speech under the First Amendment.
• Expert declarations submitted by Activision refute claims that the game serves as "training camp for mass shooters."
• Uvalde families have until late February to respond to Activision's comprehensive legal defense.

Activision has filed a robust defense against lawsuits stemming from the devastating 2022 Uvalde school shooting. Filed in May 2024, these lawsuits allege the shooter was influenced by violence depicted in Activision's Call of Duty franchise.

The May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School shooting tragically claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers, injuring 17 others. The 18-year-old shooter, a former Robb Elementary student, was a frequent Call of Duty player, downloading Modern Warfare in November 2021, and used an AR-15 rifle, similar to one featured in the game. The lawsuits also implicated Meta, alleging its Instagram platform facilitated connections between the shooter and firearm manufacturers, exposing him to AR-15 advertisements. The families contend both Activision and Meta fostered a harmful environment that exploited vulnerable adolescents, indirectly encouraging violence.

Activision's response, detailed in a 150-page filing last December (per Game File), denies all allegations, asserting no direct link between Call of Duty and the Robb Elementary tragedy. Activision invoked California's anti-SLAPP laws, designed to protect free speech from frivolous lawsuits, seeking dismissal. The publisher further emphasized Call of Duty's status as a protected form of expression under the First Amendment, arguing that claims based on its "hyper-realistic content" violate this fundamental right.

Activision Defends Call of Duty in Uvalde Lawsuit

Supporting its defense, Activision submitted a 35-page declaration from Notre Dame professor Matthew Thomas Payne. Professor Payne argues that Call of Duty's depiction of military conflict aligns with established traditions in war films and television, refuting the lawsuit's "training camp" assertion. A 38-page submission from Patrick Kelly, head of creative for Call of Duty, details the game's design, including the $700 million budget for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. These documents form part of Activision's broader strategy to challenge the Uvalde families' claims.

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