Activision vigorously defends Call of Duty against Uvalde lawsuit allegations. The company's comprehensive response, filed in December, rejects claims linking the game to the 2022 Robb Elementary School tragedy. Activision's 150-page defense argues there's no causal link between Call of Duty and the shooting, citing First Amendment protections for the game's content. The lawsuit, filed by victim families in May 2024, alleges the shooter's exposure to Call of Duty's violent content contributed to the massacre.
Activision's defense includes expert declarations refuting the notion of Call of Duty serving as "mass shooter training." Professor Matthew Thomas Payne of Notre Dame University provides a 35-page statement contextualizing the game's military realism within the broader tradition of war-themed media. Patrick Kelly, Call of Duty's head of creative, adds a 38-page account detailing the game's development, including the substantial budget allocated to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
The Uvalde families have until late February to respond to Activision's filings. This case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the potential influence of violent video games on real-world violence, a complex issue with no easy answers. The outcome remains uncertain, but Activision's robust defense underscores its commitment to protecting its intellectual property and challenging the allegations.
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