FaZe Clan's Nickmercs has issued a statement on a recently issued ban by streaming platform Twitch.
Content warning: derogatory language follows.
Nickmercs, real name Nick Kolcheff, tweeted to say he was banned for the use of the word “tranny” during a livestream on Twitch, and then doubled-down on the derogatory language by adding: “Apparently that’s a derogatory term. That’s on me. Next time I’ll use mental health disorder.”
Banned for using the word “Tranny” on Twitch. Apparently that’s a derogatory term. That’s on me. Next time I’ll use mental health disorder. https://t.co/LAIcmD0dCB
— Nickmercs (@NICKMERCS) June 28, 2024
Nickmercs’ Twitch channel is currently offline and flagged as “temporarily unavailable due to a violation of Twitch's Community Guidelines or Terms of Service.”
Twitch guidelines state that the streaming platform “does not permit behavior that is motivated by hatred, prejudice or intolerance, including behavior that promotes or encourages discrimination, denigration, harassment, or violence based on the following protected characteristics: race, ethnicity, color, caste, national origin, immigration status, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, serious medical condition, and veteran status.”
Nickmercs is one of the most popular Call of Duty streamers in the world, with a large social media presence and 6.72 million followers on Twitch. In June 2023, Activision pulled the Nickmercs Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone skin after the Faze Clan streamer posted an anti-LGBTQ+ tweet.
Nickmercs had replied to a tweet from eSports broadcaster Chris Puckett that showed a clash between anti and pro LGBTQ+ demonstrators outside a school voting to recognise June as Pride Month. "They should leave little children alone. That's the real issue," Nickmercs tweeted in response, sparking a backlash.
Nickmercs, who also streams on rival platform Kick, recently tweeted to distance himself from Guy Beahm, the popular streamer known as Dr Disrespect, amid continuing reports surrounding his 2020 ban from Twitch and his alleged sexually explicit messages to a minor. Nickmercs is one of Dr Disrespect’s closest streaming friends, having played multiple video games together on-stream over the years.
— Nickmercs (@NICKMERCS) June 25, 2024
It’s unclear how long Nickmercs’ Twitch ban will last, but the website notice specifies it is temporary. IGN has asked Faze Clan for comment.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
