Timcast IRL · June 10, 2023 · 2h 0m
Timcast IRL #797 Call of Duty AXES NICKMERCS For Saying PROTECT KIDS, COD BOYCOTT BEGINS w/Riley Moore
Episode Recap
Timcast IRL episode 797 aired on June 10, 2023, with Tim Pool and co-hosts discussing the major culture war story of Activision pulling gaming streamer NickMercs' content from Call of Duty after he tweeted they should 'leave little children alone' in response to Pride events targeting kids. The hosts analyzed how NickMercs' vague statement was immediately interpreted as anti-LGBTQ by Activision, revealing the left's understanding that they are doing something negative to children. The show covered the subsequent boycott movement against Call of Duty and other woke companies, with Riley Moore joining to discuss Target's reported $15 billion market cap loss attributed to consumer boycotts over Pride merchandise targeting children. The panel also touched on Donald Trump's 37-count indictment including espionage charges as background news context.
TL;DR
- →Activision removed NickMercs' Call of Duty bundle after his 'leave little children alone' tweet, sparking gaming industry culture war controversy
- →NickMercs did not make anti-LGBTQ statement but was punished for implying companies should stop targeting children with Pride messaging
- →Dr Disrespect publicly sided with NickMercs, joining the call for boycotts of woke game companies
- →Target reportedly lost $15 billion in market cap amid boycott movements over Pride merchandise aimed at children
- →Media outlets including CNN claimed Target's losses were unrelated to boycotts despite Walmart stock remaining stable
- →Guest Riley Moore discussed the broader corporate wokeness backlash and consumer uprising against companies pushing LGBTQ content on kids
Key Moments
- 0:00Opening and News ContextTim introduces the episode covering Trump's indictment and pivots to the major gaming culture war story
- 1:19NickMercs Story BreakdownTim explains how Activision removed NickMercs' content for saying 'leave little children alone' and analyzes why this triggered the left
- 5:54Analysis of Corporate WokenessDeep dive into how companies prioritize Pride messaging over their own content creators and customers
- 20:00Guest IntroductionRiley Moore introduced as West Virginia State Treasurer and congressional candidate
- 25:00Target Boycott DiscussionAnalysis of Target's $15 billion market cap loss and media attempts to disconnect it from consumer boycotts
Notable Quotes
“Nick Merckx did not say anything anti-LGBTQ, he said they should leave little children alone. That's the real issue.”
— Tim Pool · opening segment breaking down the controversy
“The fact that simply by saying leave kids alone the left got triggered angry and pulled him from this game shows they actually understand that they are targeting children with something negative.”
— Tim Pool · main discussion analysis
“The younger people are getting a little bit older and they're realizing what woke people are doing in their name, they're starting to say no.”
— Riley Moore · guest segment on generational shift
“When you get a guy who just had a kid, instincts kicked in. This is what's starting to happen as the younger generation of gamers realize what's going on.”
— Tim Pool · panel discussion
“Target has reportedly lost $15 billion off their market cap. Now CNN says no, no, no, it's nothing to do with the boycott, despite Walmart isn't suffering.”
— Tim Pool · closing segment on corporate backlash