Following the recent arrest of a suspect linked to an attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, investigators identified the individual as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old independent game developer. Allen, who was taken into custody after allegedly attempting to infiltrate the high-profile media event where President Donald Trump was in attendance, is the creator of a 2018 Steam title titled Bohrdom.
Marketed as a chemistry-themed “non-violent asymmetrical fighting game,” Bohrdom tasked players with controlling electrons and nuclei. The game’s original store description was dense with technical jargon, claiming to utilize a sophisticated “elastic collision physics engine” designed to accurately manage rotational forces during particle interactions.
Like many niche indie titles, the game saw little engagement upon its initial release. However, in the wake of the April 25 incident, the 49-cent title experienced an abrupt and macabre surge in visibility. According to Steam data, the game hit a concurrent player peak of 21 over the weekend. Its review section was quickly flooded with over 100 entries, many of which directly addressed the gravity of the allegations against its creator.
One highly visible user review remarked, “Decided to pull the trigger, and give this game a shot. Not the most competent shooter. It feels rushed, and the strategic elements are poorly planned out… I look forward to this developer’s next project, whenever that appears. Probably in about 25 years to life.”
As reported by Kotaku, the influx of negative reviews brought the game’s standing to “mixed.” Shortly after the renewed attention, Valve removed Bohrdom from the storefront. While the game’s Steam page remains accessible and those who purchased it can still launch the application, Valve has not provided an official statement regarding the delisting.
According to the New York Times, Allen faces multiple charges, including assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon and two counts related to firearm usage, with prosecutors signaling that additional charges are forthcoming. Authorities stated that Allen, who allegedly gained access to the area armed with a shotgun and knives, was intercepted by security before reaching the venue where the President was situated. The BBC reports that during questioning, Allen admitted his intent was to target officials within the Trump administration.
Source: Polygon
