Website cancels release of school shooter game

A gaming website has pulled the upcoming release of a video game that permits players to assume the role of school shooters after intense backlash.

“Active Shooter,” which was set to be released on the Steam platform in June, allows players to use semiautomatic rifles to pose as a school shooter or play a SWAT team member responding to an incident, as well as a civilian trying to escape a shooting. 

{mosads}Politicians, educators, and parents of students who lost their lives in the Parkland, Fla., school shooting earlier this year had criticized the game. 

“I have seen and heard many horrific things over the past few months since my daughter was the victim of a school shooting and is now dead in real life. This game may be one of the worst,” Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jamie was killed in the Parkland shooting in February, tweeted. 

I have seen and heard many horrific things over the past few months since my daughter was the victim of a school shooting and is now dead in real life. This game may be one of the worst.

— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) May 27, 2018

“This company should face the wrath of everyone who cares about school and public safety and it should start immediately. Do not buy this game for your kids or any other game made by this company,” he continued. 

This company should face the wrath of everyone who cares about school and public safety and it should start immediately. Do not buy this game for your kids or any other game made by this company.https://t.co/LbkXy0upwc

— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) May 27, 2018

Sen. Bill Nelsen (D-Fla.) also slammed the game, saying the game’s developer should be ashamed of itself. 

This is inexcusable. Any company that develops a game like this in wake of such a horrific tragedy should be ashamed of itself. https://t.co/jjp6LxNWhC

— Senator Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) May 28, 2018

The game includes a disclaimer in the description warning players not to take it to heart. 

“Please do not take any of this seriously,” the disclaimer reads. “This is only meant to be the simulation and nothing else. If you feel like hurting someone or people around you, please seek help from local psychiatrists or dial 911 (or applicable). Thank you.”

The game’s developer said last week he was going to consider removing the option to portray a school shooter in the game, saying he was “stormed with accusations and heavy critics from people across the globe.”

The controversy comes on the heels of a slew of school shootings in the U.S. 

President Trump held a summit on video game violence at the White House earlier this year in an effort to address gun violence.