Sunday’s shooting took place during a live stream of the “Madden NFL 19” tournament at a downtown mallGETTY IMAGES
EA has "canceled several 'Madden' qualifier events after a fatal shooting" at a tournament in Jacksonville on Sunday, according to Joanna Tan of CNBC.com. EA CEO Andrew Wilson said the company will "run a comprehensive review of safety protocols for competitors and spectators." Wilson said the Jacksonville tournament was a qualifying tournament for the Madden Classic, the "first Madden EA Major competition of this season" (CNBC.com, 8/27). YAHOO SPORTS' Jason Owens noted the three previously scheduled qualifiers were slated to take place in Dulles, Va., Santa Ana, Calif., and Carrollton, Texas, in September with the "main event planned for Las Vegas in October." Wilson "did not clarify if the events would be rescheduled" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/27).
MORE SECURITY NEEDED: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Sarah Needleman notes the heads of pro video game teams said that they would "evaluate security procedures" following Sunday's shooting. Florida-based Misfits Gaming Founder & CEO Ben Spoont said that he now "plans to check with event organizers about their security before sending his approximately 45 players to any competitions held at small venues." He also plans to start having "bag checks and metal detectors at tournaments and fan events that his own organization hosts." Some teams have already "beefed up safety efforts for players." Overwatch League team Dallas Fuel, part of Team Envy, "hired three police officers to keep tabs on its nine players and three coaches last month during a fan-appreciation event at a Dallas mall." Team Envy Owner & CEO Mike Rufail said, "The smaller events absolutely need much more security. The smaller amateur, semipro events are really susceptible to what happened in Jacksonville" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/28). Long Island Retro Gaming Operations Manager Joel Albino said that he "does not think he provided enough security for his own annual event," the Retro Gaming Expo. He added that some staffers provided security, but next year he is "considering hiring professional security staff and installing metal detectors" (NEWSDAY, 8/28).
PART OF A BIGGER PROBLEM? USA TODAY's Baig, Blumenthal & Snider note in the aftermath of the shooting, focus is "shifting to the pressure on players and security surrounding these events." Should more attention be "paid to the mental stress on players?" (USA TODAY, 8/28). ABC's Whit Johnson notes gaming lifestyles are "raising fresh concerns in the mental health community." Tournaments can be "extremely stressful" for participants, as they do not always know "when the next payday might come." Gamers indicated that mental health struggles "are prevalent in the industry, and now the sponsors behind the professional esports teams are also recognizing that help is needed to keep players in top form -- both physically and mentally." New efforts are "underway to identify and address mental health among the gamers in the industry" ("GMA," ABC, 8/28). In Tampa, Christopher Spata writes, "Professional gaming is a uniquely demanding sport." Competitive gamers often "spend extreme hours practicing, traveling alone to tournaments can be isolating, and maintaining physical health can be challenging" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 8/28).
FOCUS TURNS TO ESPORTS: The shooting has caused several mainstream media outlets to turn the focus on the esports industry. A L.A. Times front-page piece goes with the header, "As E-sports Level Up In Popularity, Their Stakes Soar." The N.Y. Times also goes with a front-page piece today featuring the header, "Deadly Attack On A Tourney Stuns Gamers." The Tampa Bay Times' front-page story carries the header, "Focus Turns To Video Sports." Washington Post: "Gamers Say Gunman Stood Apart From A Close Crowd." Orlando Sentinel: "Slain Gamers Were Trying To Earn Cash For College, Family." CNN.com: "What Is Esports? A Look At An Explosive Billion-Dollar Industry." NBCNews.com: "Jacksonville Shooting Puts Spotlight On Booming World Of Esports." Variety.com: "Why Esports Players Can’t Afford To Be Apolitical." The AP goes with, "Madden Tournament Part Of Wide Esports World."
