The online shooter Apex Legends was supposed to have a major appearance on the sports channel ESPN this coming Sunday. However, due to the recent shootings in the USA and likely because of the statement from President Trump, that will not happen now.
What was planned? The major US sports channel ESPN had planned a 2-hour special on eSports for Sunday, August 11th. It was supposed to be a highlight show of the tournament “EXP Invitational APEX Legends at X Games”.
The tournament itself already took place from August 2nd to 3rd in Minneapolis at the X Games. The show on ESPN was meant to emphasize the highlights and best moments, and likely also bring eSports closer to the mainstream.
But now it has been announced that the show will not take place. Instead, there will be a documentary about hockey at the same broadcast time.
Shooting ruins eSports show
Why won’t the tournament be shown anymore? According to a tweet from eSports specialist Rod “Slasher” Breslau, the recent shootings in the USA are the reason for the cancellation of the show.
“Out of respect for the victims and all those affected by the recent shootings, ABC [the media group behind ESPN] will no longer broadcast “EXP Invitational APEX Legends at X Games” on Sunday, August 11th.”
According to Rod Breslau, however, the show might still be seen later on the channel ESPN3. Additionally, the show is already available on the network’s YouTube channel; only the public TV broadcast is affected.
The cancellation of the eSports event was, by the way, already dated for August 6th, just 2 days after the last shooting in Dayton.
Fans criticize the channel’s decision
What could be the reasons for the cancellation? The channel’s decision not to show games with violent content fits well with the general discussion currently taking place in the USA. Because conservative politicians along with President Trump currently believe that violent video games could lead to shootings.
This statement from the president has already led to declining stock prices for major publishers. It is quite possible that the media group ABC has preemptively removed all games with violent content from the schedule to avoid being at the center of criticism.
How does the community react? Many users do not understand the channel’s actions and express their opinions on Twitter and Reddit:
- “Enough respect for the victims to cancel an event, but not enough respect to really ban weapons and save people!”
- “What a ridiculous decision that has nothing to do with respect!”
- “This is really sad, I can hardly believe you equate these shootings with video games. You’re just punishing yourselves and making fools of yourselves!”
- “Out of respect for the victims? More like, because our president decided by chance that games have something to do with shootings.”
- “Many lives will probably be saved because ABC is not broadcasting this show on Sunday.”
- “Holy shit, there is zero evidence to support such dumb claims!”
However, there is also understanding for the decision:
“An Apex tournament would essentially be constant shooting and killing and not much more. That’s what the game is about. TV channels have often made such decisions after shootings. The Punisher was also postponed by 2 weeks because of the Vegas shooting.”
What is your opinion on the action? Should one refrain from depicting violence in games on TV following horrific acts of violence?
