widenAtomFail
widenAtomFail is a humorous and satirical internet meme originating from the gaming community, particularly among players of *Team Fortress 2* (TF2), a popular first-person shooter developed by Valve Corporation. The meme emerged in 2015 as a playful critique of the game’s physics engine, specifically its tendency to produce unrealistic or comically exaggerated animations when characters were damaged or destroyed. The phrase "widenAtomFail" itself is a exaggerated, exaggeratedly slow-motion depiction of a character’s body being torn apart by an atomic explosion, often accompanied by a distorted, high-pitched scream.
The meme gained traction through edited videos and GIFs shared on platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and Twitter,
Over time, widenAtomFail evolved into a broader meme format, where players would apply the same exaggerated,
Today, widenAtomFail remains a nostalgic and recognizable part of gaming internet culture, often cited as an