Origins of the nerf...

DaShiznit · 2003-09-19, 06:26 PM

I was just wondering, where did the word Nerf come from? I know what the meaning is, but, I mean, obviously, there's the plastic dart gun, and this term tends to apply to pretty much all MMO games. So, when you nerf something, does that mean you make it more like a plastic Nerf gun? Just wondering...

00AgentDuck · 2003-09-19, 06:47 PM

I've heard many explanations to where the world nerf came from, as well as the word zerg (I believe zerg came from the game starcraft, but I've heard alot of other stories as well). One place nerf could of came from is there is a company that makes toys, that makes foam sports products like nerf footballs. These nerf balls they make are somewhat of a step down from the real thing, just like when you nerf the lasher for example it tones it down.

Edit: Didn't read your post correctly, thoguht you meant where the word nerf came from. Nerfing means to make whatever you are talking about toned down or worse.

DaShiznit · 2003-09-20, 11:09 AM

No, you read my post correctly, i know what a nerf is (experience in EQ), i just want to know where the word came from.

Flammey · 2003-09-20, 11:13 AM

From the set of toys. I used to own Nerf balls, but I broke them.

DaShiznit · 2003-09-20, 11:40 AM

Another pointless and off-topic post by flammey Ladies and gentlemen!

Cease · 2003-09-20, 01:00 PM

No Flammey was on topic. The term Nerf did come from the toy Nerf. The translation basically "My weapon/unit got reduced to the point where it hits as hard as a Nerf ball/bat." Its true origin I'm not sure. I first heard it back in the days of Ultima Online. The term Zerg most definately came from StarCraft.

Nimbus · 2003-09-20, 02:53 PM

I first heard the term "Nerf" in EQ also back shortly after it came out. I never heard any explenation as to what it meant but I often heard people refer to nerfing something as hitting it with the nerf bat so I always assumed it was, as said before, toning things down to make them less effective.

Zerg is definately from starcraft. Before that it was always just swarming.

Liteshow · 2003-09-20, 05:31 PM

A nerf is also a maneuver whereby you hit a car you are chasing on it's rear left corner, causing it to spin and pinning the driver side door with your hood.

Lise · 2003-09-20, 05:58 PM

Yeah, the root of the term nerf comes from the line of toys that shoot foam projectiles.

As for it's first usage... not sure. I suspect it was born in the era of MUDs and the like, when the GM would downtweak something. It probably hit the mainstream when UO came out.

Flammey · 2003-09-20, 11:18 PM

Yeah. *thppppppp* So there. Nerf made projectile foam shooting toys, and other things, such as foam footballs.

The part where I said I broke my foam balls was a joke. Obviously we have some REALLY slow people in here. *Twirls a finger around his head*

Warborn · 2003-09-21, 04:01 AM

Originally posted by 00AgentDuck
I've heard many explanations to where the world nerf came from, as well as the word zerg (I believe zerg came from the game starcraft, but I've heard alot of other stories as well...

Zerg came from Starcraft. The Zerg are a race of monstrous alien creatures which, as far as their combat units goes, are completely mindless, and attack in a swarm. Any alternative explanations given are incorrect.

Sputty · 2003-09-21, 04:05 AM

Originally posted by Warborn
Zerg came from Starcraft. The Zerg are a race of monstrous alien creatures which, as far as their combat units goes, are completely mindless, and attack in a swarm. Any alternative explanations given are incorrect.

Indeed

SumYungGui · 2003-09-21, 04:54 AM

*cough warhammer 40,000*

oh wait, sorry all you starcraft fans. did I mention starcraft being a laughably blatant rip off?

NightWalker XI · 2003-09-21, 06:34 AM

Originally posted by SumYungGui
*cough warhammer 40,000*

oh wait, sorry all you starcraft fans. did I mention starcraft being a laughably blatant rip off?

*sigh*

Once upon a time, there were fanboys, fanboys didn't know when to shut the fuck up and therefore pissed alot of people of.....

Warborn · 2003-09-21, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by SumYungGui
*cough warhammer 40,000*

oh wait, sorry all you starcraft fans. did I mention starcraft being a laughably blatant rip off?

Actually, this is what I thought when I first learned of the Zerg, too. "Wow, those are a lot like Tyranids" said I. But, the fact of the matter is that Tyranids are cool, and Zerg do actually have a lot of differences beyond them both being a space-faring monstrous alien menace. There are similarities, sure, but there are similarities between a lot of stuff in sci-fi. As long as it's not a complete ripoff, there's no vice in it. Zerg provide a different take on the mindless alien menace clich�, and so it's all good.