Despite the passage of time, Nerf guns continue to maintain their popularity among young kids, and many enthusiasts take it a step further by modifying these guns to enhance their performance or by upgrading the projectiles they can fire. In the realm of video games, there have been several tie-in titles that revolve around these beloved toys. One notable example is the first-person shooter game called Nerf Legends, released in 2021 across multiple platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and Xbox.

While the popularity of Nerf toys persists, Hasbro has been actively collaborating with other game franchises to promote their products. For instance, they introduced a line of Nerf guns inspired by Minecraft, and players of Halo Infinite can unlock an in-game skin by purchasing these blasters. It appears the next evolution for these toys is to serve as controllers in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) gaming environments. It would allow players to utilize Nerf guns as interactive devices in immersive gaming experiences.

A recent patent application at the United States Patent Office introduces a video game attachment system compatible with traditional AR and VR gaming. This system features a toy gun-shaped controller that includes a screen attachment and additional devices to detect movement and triggers. It aims to enhance the gaming experience by combining physical controllers with digital interfaces.

The patent outlines a controller system that aims to make Nerf guns compatible with various gaming systems, eliminating the need for specialized controllers. The system includes sensors attached to the toys to track their position for virtual reality and mobile games. It highlights the potential use of this technology beyond first-person shooter games, such as steering wheel control for racing games or imitating a mallet or bat for sports games. While still speculative, the patent offers exciting possibilities for integrating Nerf guns into gaming experiences.

Shortly after the Milwaukee Bucks were crowned champions of the NBA, Khris Middleton and his teammates held the coveted Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy. Middleton kept holding the trophy for 12 minutes, not knowing that he would be the last one to hold it on a court ever again. This was the case because, at that time, Victor Solomon met with Tiffany & Co. to meticulously review and redesign the Larry O’Brien trophy and five other postseason trophies.

Victor Solomon Had Been Working On the New NBA Trophy for Years

The artist and designer Victor Solomon was called to redesign the 45-year-old NBA trophy, and he will work with the artisans at Tiffany & Co.’s hollowware shop. They will also update the Eastern and Western Conference Finals championship trophies, the Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy, the Eastern and Western Conference Finals MVP trophies: the Earvin “Magic” Johnson Trophy, and the Larry Bird Trophy.

Solomon Spoke On the Revival of the NBA’s Highest Profile Trophies

In a recent conversation, Solomon explained his journey to reviving the NBA’s highest-profile trophies. He also shared how he was obsessed with the game as a child in Boston and how he was getting frustrated with the art world of today. The artist also said he hid an Easter Egg in the championship trophy so that one of the lucky teams that would own it in the future would get to see it for the first time.

Solomon opened his Literally Balling studio in 2013, and his popularity grew over time to the point that today, he’s working with the NBA and Tiffany & Co. He first worked with filmmakers and later got introduced to stained glass art before he started making products as a celebration of sports that meant something to him. The artist shared how he got a lot of momentum through social media.

The NBA Reached Out to Him

Solomon was reached out to by the NBA around 2018 after they noticed him for his work. A year later, he and Christopher Arena met to work on the trophy redesign project. It was then he learned that he would be working with Tiffany & Co., which had been creating the Larry O’Brien and conference trophies since 1977.

According to Solomon, redesigning the trophies was like creating his version of them. Apparently, it was a dream project of his that he had been in pursuit of for a long time. He added that he had to give the NBA credit for taking on something like this and pointed out that together, they have issued over 150 new trophies for this season.