Summary
Popular streamer and gaming personality NICKMERCS has made his return toTwitchafter receiving his first-ever ban from the platform for using what has been deemed a transphobic slur. The slur in question was a word theTwitchstreamer still seems to be confused about the severity of, based on his recent comments.
NICKMERCS, whose real name is Nicholas Kolcheff, received his first ban in his streaming career on June 28 after over a decade on the platform. Known for his occasionally controversial unfiltered takes and engaging manner, the streamer mostly plays various shooter titles such asFortnite,Apex Legends, andCounter-Strike,though he is best known for playing entries in theCall of Dutyfranchise. It was during aCall of Dutystream in whichNICKMERCS received his Twitch banfor using the transphobic term.
The NICKMERCS Twitch ban occurred on June 28 because of the use of the (in his own words) “derogatory” term for transgender people, claiming he didn’t know of its derogatory nature in the first place. In a Tweet posted the day that the ban occurred, the streamer defiantly stated he’ll use the phrase “mental health disorder” next time. AlthoughTwitch’s strict and sometimes inconsistent policiesusually equals a 30-day ban for hateful conduct, NICKMERCS was back on the platform in just 10 days. Upon his return, the streamer defended his ignorance of the term, again claiming he “didn’t f****** know.”
In addition to saying the ban came at a good time because he was “going to Vegas” already, NICKMERCS said he was told the slur he used was on par with “the N word.” While its unclear whether he was referring to higher-ups directly at Twitch or the community overall, the comparison raised a few eyebrows in the streamer’s chat. The streamer’s controversial stances on LGBTQ+ matters is well-documented, with the massiveCall of DutyNICKMERCS Operator skin removal controversytaking place just over a year ago.
NICKMERCS Isn’t Twitching Over Twitch
While a platform ban may have potentially hurt a smaller streamer’s revenue stream, it was likely a bump in the road for the top streamer. Last fall,NICKMERCS signed a massive deal with Kick, Twitch’s rival platform, in an astonishing $10 million non-exclusive deal, meaning he is still able to stream on other platforms. Considering his otherwise clean record, the streamer may wisely refrain from using crass language onTwitchfor the foreseeable future.
