Activision has removed the Nickmercs skin from Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone, following an anti-LGBTQ+ comment the streamer made earlier this week.
On June 7, retired Halo pro and MLG executive Chris Puckett tweeted a video of an attack on pro-LGBTQ+ demonstrators outside of a school board meeting in Glendale, CA.
"This happened 4 blocks from my Overwatch League apartment," Puckett tweeted. "Americans are in a sad place right now. Let people love who they love and live your own life."
In response, Nickmercs tweeted, "They should leave little children alone. That’s the real issue."
They should leave little children alone. That’s the real issue.June 7, 2023
As noted by Dexerto, the tweet sparked an immediate backlash. "Who is this they and what terrible act is everyone afraid of?" Puckett replied. "I think/hope the goal of most of 'them' is to reduce child suicides. This is done through acceptance and removing the stigma of feeling/being different."
Others shared similar responses:
During a stream the day after making the comment, Nickmercs denied holding anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs and said he didn't mean to upset anyone, but he also said he would not apologize for the statement or take down the tweet.
Earlier today, Call of Duty site CharlieIntel reported that the Nickmercs skin had been removed from the Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone store without notice or comment. Activision then confirmed that the skin had been removed because of Nickmercs' tweet.
"Due to recent events, we have removed the 'Nickmercs Operator' bundle from the Modern Warfare II and Warzone store," the official Call of Duty account tweeted in reply to Charlie Intel. "We are focused on celebrating PRIDE with our employees and our community."
Due to recent events, we have removed the “NICKMERCS Operator” bundle from the Modern Warfare II and Warzone store. We are focused on celebrating PRIDE with our employees and our community.June 9, 2023
Nickmercs has not yet commented publicly on the removal of his Call of Duty skin. I've reached out to Nickmercs for comment and will update if I receive a reply.
