Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2removed YouTube streamer Timothy “TimTheTatman” Betar’s skin bundle. Announced just last May,Modern Warfare 2unveiled a collaboration with streamers TimTheTatman and NICKMERCS, which included Operator and gun skins.
On June 7, NICKMERCS reacted to a video showing anti-LGBT protestors attacking pro-LGBT demonstrators outside a school board meeting, saying that LGBT supporters should “leave the children alone.” He received backlash for his comment as people accused him of being homophobic and supporting anti-LGBT violence. He also released a statement addressing the controversy, emphasizing that he won’t apologize for his choice of words. Shortly after,Call of Dutyremoved the NICKMERCS skin bundlefrom theModern Warfare 2andWarzonestores, stating that its “focused on celebrating Pride with our employees and our community.”
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TimTheTatman, who is friends with NICKMERCS, laterrequested for hisCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2skin bundle to be removedin support of his friend. He said that it “felt wrong” for his bundle to still be in the game while NICKMERCS' bundle was gone. Following this, an Activision representative said in a statement that it’s pulled the TimTheTatman bundle from theModern Warfare 2andWarzonestores.
The reactions to the news have been mixed. Many people thought it was a good move, saying thatCall of Dutyshould not have skins with streamers with problematic views. On the other hand, there were also some fans who were demanding Activision to apologize to NICKMERCS. Likewise, TimTheTatman’s fans commended him for the move, while criticizing cancel culture and claiming thatCall of Dutyoverreacted by removing NICKMERCS' bundle. Even YouTube streamerDr Disrespect uninstalledModern Warfare 2in support of NICKMERCS.
The removal of TimTheTatman and NICKMERCS’Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2skin bundles have now sparked discussions within the gaming community on how this will change creator collaborations down the line. Many popular video games, likeFortniteandFall Guys, have worked with popular streamers to create unique skins that fans could enjoy in-game. However, there had been past cases where the creators would have an issue with the collaboration, likeApex Legendsmisspelling LuLuLuvely’s name in her exclusive gun skin.
It might be too early to say how theCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2controversy will affect how other video game companies will approach creator collaborations. It could potentially signal the end of such collaborations, or encourage companies to be more discerning of the people they want to work with.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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