Call of Duty Glitch Briefly Brings Back Banned Nickmercs Skin
A recent glitch in Call of Duty has unexpectedly brought back a previously banned skin, stirring up conversation among fans. The skin in question belongs to popular streamer Nickmercs and was originally removed due to controversy—but over the weekend, players noticed it had quietly reappeared in the in-game store.
The Call of Duty franchise has come a long way since its 2003 debut. What began as a World War II shooter known for its cinematic realism—even incorporating real footage from the Military Channel—has evolved dramatically. Over time, the series expanded into a blockbuster-style experience, embracing multiplayer and even launching the wildly popular Zombies mode.
In the modern gaming landscape, Call of Duty has adapted to new trends. Following the success of Fortnite, the franchise shifted away from paid DLC map packs—which once split the player base—and adopted a seasonal model with free content updates. Now, revenue largely comes from cosmetic purchases like skins, including an ever-growing number of pop culture crossovers featuring everything from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to famous athletes and musicians.
In 2023, Call of Duty introduced Nickmercs and TimTheTatman as the first content creator operator skins. However, the celebration didn’t last long. Shortly after launch, Nickmercs faced backlash for comments made during Pride Month, stating schools should “leave children alone” when discussing LGBTQ+ topics. The resulting controversy led Activision to remove his skin from the store, and TimTheTatman voluntarily had his own skin pulled in solidarity. The situation sparked intense debate, and Nickmercs distanced himself from the franchise for a time before eventually returning.
Now, nearly two years later, players were surprised to see the Nickmercs skin appear once again in the store—complete with a price tag. But not everyone could see it, and those who tried to purchase the skin were met with error messages. It quickly became clear this was unintentional. The reappearance seems to be the result of a glitch, and players who didn’t already own the skin before its removal still can’t access it.
As for whether the skin will ever return officially, that remains uncertain. Given the controversy and the time that’s passed—spanning two game releases—it’s unlikely Activision will reintroduce it. The experience may also have cooled any plans for future content creator skins. Still, never say never—Call of Duty is known for its surprises, and the door isn’t completely closed.
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