The term nerf in respect to video games was actually derived from Nerf guns. Because Nerf guns are basically just normal guns that have been heavily nerfed ๐
this post was submitted on 21 Jun 2024
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I think the direct implication is that the bullets are padded with foam. Softened.
Yeah, it comes from debuffs, which was applied to early FPS games when a gun was debuffed, which made the bullets hit less like bullets and more like nerf darts.
This gun used to take a guy out in 2 body shots and now its 5, like I'm shooting with a nerf gun!
Then the term spread around to non FPS games.
Why is that ironic?
"Nerf" is an opposite to a "buff" in videogame context.
I get that. Where is the irony? I think to be ironic there needs to be some air of unexpectedness. I certainly think it's amusing to say that you were buffing a nerf gun, but maybe not unexpected
But I think Alanis Morissette would be on board
The irony is that you would think nerfing a nerf gun would improve it, because it's more nerf per nerf.
That's not ironic in the slightest. Take a pellet gun. Buff it, it's a real gun. Nerf it, it's a BB gun, or a Nerf gun.