The assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk at the University of Utah on September 10 has sparked ripple effects across multiple sectors—including the video game industry. While video game content itself isn’t directly under fire, the online forums and communities surrounding gaming platforms are.
In response, the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has summoned Valve’s Gabe Newell alongside the CEOs of Twitch, Discord, and Reddit to testify about what lawmakers describe as the “radicalization of online forum users.”
Steam, Twitch, Discord, and Reddit in the Spotlight
According to a report from IGN, the committee has scheduled the hearing for October 8, 2025, demanding testimony from top executives of major platforms, including Steam (Valve), Twitch, Discord, and Reddit.
This move comes just days after Tyler Robinson, 22, opened fire on Kirk during a live event, leading lawmakers to scrutinize whether digital spaces are fueling extremist ideologies, recruitment, and even violent actions.
Committee chairman James Richardson Comer Jr. (R-Kentucky) stated:
“The politically motivated assassination of Charlie Kirk took the life of a husband, father, and American patriot. In the wake of this tragedy, and amid other acts of political violence, Congress has a duty to oversee online platforms that radicals have exploited to promote violence. To prevent further radicalization and violence, the CEOs of Discord, Steam, Twitch, and Reddit must appear before the Oversight Committee and explain what steps they will take to ensure their platforms are not used for nefarious purposes.”
Video Games Once Again Under Political Scrutiny
The attack that killed Kirk has reignited debate across the entertainment and gaming industries. Recently, Sony reportedly fired a Ghost of Yotei developer after she made an online joke about the activist’s death.
Social media platforms have since become battlegrounds where left- and right-wing users clash over the incident.
For the gaming world, this scrutiny is nothing new. The Department of Homeland Security is currently investigating ROBLOX after reports surfaced that extremist groups were allegedly using the platform for recruitment purposes.
Meanwhile, in Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum’s security cabinet has proposed an 8% tax on violent video games as part of a strategy to combat youth violence. The Health Secretary also announced plans to support the development of video games in Mexico that promote healthy habits.
