DIGITAL LIFE

Walmart Pulls Violent Video Game Ads (But Not Guns) From Stores

In response to last weekend's mass shooting at El Paso, Texas, store, Walmart is temporarily removing ads and demos that feature violent video games, which has sparked internet uses to call for a boycott company.
Earlier this week, Walmart told store managers to remove all signage and displays that contain "violent images or aggressive behavior," according to a copy of the memo, which was posted on Twitter.
In the memo, Walmart demands that violent video game demos running on consoles, including PlayStation and Xbox units, be turned off or unplugged. Signage that references combat or third-person shooters must also be removed.
The memo makes no mention of pulling current video games, which can often show characters carrying guns or weapons on their display covers. One Twitter user, however, said his location Walmart had removed physical game copies from store shelves in response to the temporary ad ban.
The Walmart memo says, "Use your best judgment if it's an inappropriate element. If you are unsure, remove the item or turn it off as a precautionary measure."
Walmart spokeswoman LeMia Jenkins: "We've taken this action out of respect for the incidents of the past week, and it doesn't reflect the long-term change in our video game assortment."

Michael Kan