Nerf (computer gaming)

In computer gaming, a nerf is a change to a game that reduces the desirability or effectiveness of a particular game element. The term is also used as a verb for the act of making such a change.cite book|last=Bartle|first=Richard|title=Designing Virtual Worlds|publisher=New riders|date=2003|pages=305, 310|isbn=9780131018167] The first established use of the term was in Ultima Online, as a reference to the NERF brand of toys which are soft and less likely to cause serious injury.cite web|url=http://74.125.45.104/search?q=cache:AHB5g7OIac4J:www.raphkoster.com/gaming/nerfing.shtml+%22Another+SWG+board+post+explaining+why+nerfs+are+inevitable%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us|title=Another SWG board post explaining why nerfs are inevitable.|last=Koster|first=Raph|authorlink=Raph Koster|work=Raph Koster's Website|accessdate=2008-09-16] cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9405E0D91F3BF933A25753C1A9649C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print|title=In a Multiplayer Universe, Gods Bow to the Masses |last=Schiesel|first=Seth|date=October 10, 2002|work=New York Times|accessdate=2008-09-16]

Rationale

Among game developers, MMORPG designers in particular are especially likely to nerf aspects of a game in order to maintain game balance. Occasionally a new feature (such as an item, class, or skill) may be made too powerful, too cheap, or too easily obtained to the extent that it unbalances the game system. This is sometimes due to an unforeseen bug or method of using or acquiring the object that was not considered by the developers.cite web|url=http://www.swarthmore.edu/SocSci/tburke1/Rubicite%20Breastplate.pdf|title=Rubicite Breastplate Priced to Move, Cheap|last=Burke|first=Timothy|work=1-3|accessdate=2008-09-16] The frequency of nerfing and the scale of nerfing vary widely from game to game but almost all massively multiplayer games have engaged in nerfing at some point.

Player response

Nerfs in various online games, including Anarchy Online, have spurred in-world protests. Since many items in virtual worlds are sold or traded among players, a nerf may have an outsized impact on the virtual economy. As players respond, the nerf may cause prices to fluctuate before settling down in a different equilibrium. This impact on the economy, along with the original impact of the nerf can cause large player resentment for even a small change. In particular, in the case of items or abilities which have been nerfed players can become upset over the perceived wasted efforts in their obtaining the now nerfed features. For games where avatars and items represent significant economic value, this may bring up legal issues over the lost value. [cite journal|date=2006|title=Owned: Finding a Place for Virtual-World Property Rights|journal=Michigan State Law Review|publisher=Michigan State University College of Law|pages=789|issn=1087-5468]

See also

* Buff (computer gaming)
* Twinking
* Leech (computing)
* Computer game bot

Notes