Recently, video game studio Activision, which produces the Call of Duty franchise, took action against a professional streamer after he stated that pro-LGBT activists should leave children alone.
Nickmercs is a professional gamer and streamer of video games such as Call of Duty and Fortnite. He also co-owns the FaZe Clan, which is a professional gaming team. The controversy unfolded when Nickmercs replied to a tweet from Chris Puckett, an eSports broadcaster, who commented on pro-LGBT protestors who were demonstrating outside of a school over a vote to recognize pride month.
Puckett said in support of the LGBT protestors, “This happened 4 blocks from my Overwatch League apartment. Americans are in a sad place right now. Let people love who they love and live your own life.” Nickmercs hit back at him, stating, “They should leave little children alone. That’s the real issue.”
They should leave little children alone. That’s the real issue.
— FaZe Nickmercs (@NICKMERCS) June 7, 2023
CharlierIntel, a website based on Call of Duty content, speculated that Activision removed the Nickmercs bundle from the in-game stores for Warzone and Modern Warfare II. Newer Call of Duty games feature custom skins and accessories players can buy, often featuring famous gaming personalities like Nickmercs. In light of Nickmercs’ comment, Call of Duty confirmed that it removed a partnership bundle the game had featured. The game franchise tweeted, “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.”
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.
— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) June 9, 2023
Ashley St. Clair tweeted about the controversy alluding that Call of Duty is engaging in “ideological warfare” by punishing the professional gamer for stating kids shouldn’t be exposed to an LGBT agenda. She tweeted, Gaming streamer @NICKMERCS is being punished by Call of Duty for saying LGBTQ+ political activists should “leave little children alone” They’ve completely removed his partnership bundle from the Warzone and MWII store This is ideological warfare.”
Gaming streamer @NICKMERCS is being punished by Call of Duty for saying LGBTQ+ political activists should “leave little children alone”
They’ve completely removed his partnership bundle from the Warzone and MWII store
This is ideological warfare. pic.twitter.com/YwW7yvjuwf
— Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) June 9, 2023
The video that Puckett and Nickmercs initially discussed shows violence erupting between protestors outside the school. Police officers can be seen disrupting the chaos and preventing it from worsening by asking the school board to recess and deploying barriers to separate the groups. The post claims that “anti-LGBT protestors” attacked “pro-LGBT demonstrators,” using language to demonize the crowd of people in opposition to those in favor of recognizing pride month.
However, one Twitter user in the comments section offered a different account of what unfolded at the event. The user claimed, “Parents were protesting due to the school board denying their requests for transparency in curriculum. The assailants in this matter were masked antifa members. The parents simply defended themselves after being assaulted. Antifa members were arrested.”
A quick Google search of the controversy will provide you with headlines claiming that Nickmercs made an anti-LGBT comment which led to Call of Duty’s punitive action. We’re at a stage in society where making the simple statement that children should be left alone is controversial. Call of Duty is known for producing some of the greatest titles in modern gaming, such as the Modern Warfare series. However, many feel the only warfare the company is now engaging in is “ideological.”
"*" indicates required fields