Dr Disrespect leads CoD Boycott amid NICKMERCS drama
Dr Disrespect is leading a huge charge of boycotts against Call of Duty as Activision removes NICKMERCS and TimTheTatman bundles following anti-LGBTQ+ comments.
12th Jun 2023 15:00
Infinity Ward | Dr Disrespect YouTube
Dr Disrespect leads CoD Boycott amid NICKMERCS drama
Dr Disrespect is leading a huge charge of boycotts against Call of Duty as Activision removes NICKMERCS and TimTheTatman bundles following anti-LGBTQ+ comments.
12th Jun 2023 15:00
Infinity Ward | Dr Disrespect YouTube
After releasing the first-ever wave of content creator-based skin in Call of Duty, it looks like Activision will be giving this microtransaction approach a wide birth in the future. Now, a wave of boycotts is coming into play surrounding Nick "NICKMERCS" Kolcheff.
The famous Call of Duty streamer became one of two players to be honoured with a Call of Duty skin, but following anti-LGBTQ+ comments on Twitter, Activision opted to remove the NICKMERCS Operator bundle, pledging its support with the community in Pride month.
But with an "IStandWithNickmerks" hashtag emerging on Twitter, and the additional removal of Tim "TimTheTatman" Betar's bundle per his own request, community figures such as Herschel "Dr Disrespect" Beahm IV have begun leading a boycott.
Dr Disrespect uninstalls Call of Duty in solidarity with NICKMERCS
With both of the Operators now out of the store - but not completely removed from Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone as they'll remain in players' inventory if already purchased - the MFAM and Tatman army have rallied behind their icons.
Despite having been axed due to controversial comments from Nick against the LGBTQ+ community, Tim's support for his friend has now amassed over 240,000 likes on Twitter, with the likes of Dr Disrespect, Tyler "TrainwrecksTV" Niknam, and Austin "Pamaj" Pamajewon all backing the streamers.
But in true Doc fashion, he's now claimed that he will not play Call of Duty again until a "public apology" is given to NICKMERCS or his bundle is reinstated.
"What we've got to do is uninstall the game, number one. Don’t be mistaken, this year’s Call of Duty is the worst in its franchise, but that decision by CoD's PR marketing team, I'll tell you right now, that's a tough one to digest," he said on-stream.
Dr Disrespect leads Call of Duty boycott
Other streamers and fans have now followed suit, such as Dennis "Cloakzy" Lepore, who has uninstalled the game and reignited an interest in Fortnite.
This isn't the first time Doc has uninstalled Call of Duty, as he's previously claimed that he won't touch the franchise again, only to be found on Warzone a mere week or two later. Many fans have backed Doc in what appears to be the most divisive war in the Call of Duty community ever.
With Activision's firm position behind Pride coming in over support for NICKMERCS, it might now be a time for the developers to right some of their historic wrongs by sticking to their guns and finally standing by the LGBTQ+ and marginalised genders community.
About The Author
Jack Marsh
Jack is an Esports Journalist at GGRecon. Graduating from the University of Chester, with a BA Honours degree in Journalism, Jack is an avid esports enthusiast and specialises in Rocket League, Call of Duty, VALORANT, and trending gaming news.
