Electronic Arts has canceled
three qualifying events in its Madden Classic gaming tournament following Sunday’s deadly shooting during a Jacksonville tourament. A8
Electronic Arts has canceled three qualifying events in its Madden Classic tournament in the aftermath of a shooting in Jacksonville that left the gunman and two other gamers dead.
CEO Andrew Wilson made the announcement Tuesday on the company’s website.
“We have made a decision to cancel our three remaining Madden Classic qualifier events while we run a comprehensive review of safety protocols for competitors and spectators,” a statement read. “We will work with our partners and our internal teams to establish a consistent level of security at all of our competitive gaming events.”
A Madden NFL 19 video game tournament that drew professional players from around the world on Sunday ended when 24-year-old David Katz, of Baltimore, opened fire, killing two before turning the gun on himself.
Authorities say nine others were hospitalized with gunshot wounds and two were injured while fleeing the scene.
The game is primarily built at Electronic Arts’ Maitland office, where the company employs 700 people.
The tournament was one of four events — along with competitions in Los Angeles, Dallas and Chantilly, Va. — that served as qualifiers for an event that would dole out $165,000 in cash prizes.
The top two finishers at each event earned a spot in the round of 16 and travel accommodations for the Live Finals.
The shooting has gamers and organizers of other tournaments expressing concern over the lack of security detail at the event.
“The way it will affect future competitions is probably similar to how it affects other venues where this has occurred in history,” said Ben Noel, executive director of University of Central Florida’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy. “You hope to learn from these events and put in security measures appropriate for the venue or type of business you are in.”
Wilson called the deaths of Taylor Robertson and Elijah Clayton an “unthinkable tragedy.”
“They were respected, positive and skilled competitors, the epitome of the players and personalities at the heart of our community,” Wilson’s statement read. “Their love of competition was evident through their participation in our events over the past few years. We are committed to supporting Taylor and Elijah’s families through this difficult time, and we send our deepest sympathies to their loved ones, to those injured yesterday, and everyone affected.”