Players can no longer purchase the TimTheTatman’s Operator Bundle through the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (CoD) or Warzone stores after the popular gamer asked to have it removed in support of his friend, NICKMERCS.
NICKMERCS — like TimTheTatman — is an avid CoD streamer who recently worked with Activision to bring to life his own Operator Bundle. However, after NICKMERCS commented on a Pride Month brawl in Glendale, California, the official CoD Twitter account announced his bundle had been taken off its stores.
According to USA Today, the skirmish happened outside the Glendale Unified School District after protestors gathered to either support or denounce a resolution to officially recognize June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the district. “They should leave little children alone,” the FaZe clan member tweeted on June 7 in response to a video of the brawl. “That’s the real issue.”
The next day, a statement was released by CoD: “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.”
Then, on June 10, TimTheTatman, whose real name is Timothy John Betar, took to Twitter to request his bundle be taken off the stores in solidarity with NICKMERCS. “@NICKMERCS has been my friend for years – we went in getting our CoD operators together,” TimTheTatman wrote. “It feels wrong for me to have mine and him no longer have his. In support of my friend, please remove the timthetatman bundle @CallofDuty.”
Two days after the tweet, Game Spot published an article with a statement from an Activision spokesperson who confirmed TimTheTatman’s wish was granted. “At Tim’s request, we have removed the TimTheTatman operator bundle from the Modern Warfare II and the Warzone store,” the statement reads.
TimTheTatman and NICKMERCS’s bundles were available for around $25
The TimTheTatman Operator Bundle, which was available to buy for 2,400 CoD points (around $25), dropped on May 31. It came with several unique features and items, including The Gatman Assault Rifle Blueprint, Tatman Tactics Finishing Move, Tatty Fatty SMF Blueprint with a Triple T-themed laser sight, and the TimTheTatman Operator skin. Take a look at some pictures of the bundle above.
The NICKMERCS Operator Bundle also came online on May 31 and cost 2,400 CoD Points. It featured two Operator Skins, the Fate LMG and Plan A Shotgun Blueprints and Kickin’ It Finishing Move, among other perks. See some stills below:
TimTheTatman wasn’t the only high-profile gamer to come out in support of NICKMERCS. Dr Disrespect said during a recent live stream that he was boycotting the game and would only consider returning to it if NICKMERCS’s bundle was reinstated or Activision publicly apologized for the removal.
NICKMERCS, whose real name is Nick Kolcheff, responded to the controversy via Twitter a day after he lost his bundle. “Friends are created in good times, but families are built through adversity. Appreciate all of you that have my back, understand my position as a new father & recognize the love I have for all,” he tweeted. “Ain’t no hate in this heart. P&L (handshake emoji).”
