Alright, so I noticed a whole lot of dispute over the actual name of the Genocide/Kill Everything/No Mercy Run. With that being said, I think this thread should be used to collect all proof for OR against the title of "Genocide Route." I'm aware that such links exist in the comments section, but they are, for the most part, scattered and hard to navigate.
Let's see if we can settle this argument once and for all.
So it appears that there's more evidence supporting "Genocide Run/Route" than any other title. People have to keep in mind that, as stated numerous times already, Toby Fox himself has used the term on Twitter. I have tweeted to him today asking about what the true name of the ending was but he has yet to respond (and I doubt he will, to be frank.) In the meantime, I firmly believe it should be called "Genocide Run/Route."
I am in favor of being against the "Genocide Route" term
I would say calling the route "Murder route" would have a similar meaning, and is even shown to be specially quoted in the naming of the character with "That's a little on-the-nose, isn't it...?" after imputing "MURDER" as the players name. Putting "MERCY" as the players name has a similar effect as well. I have no thoughts against calling it the term "Genocide Route" other than that calling it "Murder Route" would be more canon, supported by the reasoning above.
I support the name "Genocide Route".
1.) Because "No Mercy" is the name of a different, Neutral route. For the actual Genocide Route, one has to kill all significant characters AND grind until there is no one left. (also, is it possible to spare a mook monster and stay on the Genocide route?)
2.) It's the most well-known.
3.) It's a very accurate descriptor. Sure, genocide is a nasty occurence, but so is murder, massacre, etc etc, aren't those all also pretty gruesome as well? It's not like it's being named after a specific genocide that has occured in the real world.
Some people (most notable those on TV Tropes) say that the name "Genocide route" spoils the nature of the route, but I don't really see it to be honest. By that logic, wouldn't "Pacifist route" also be considered a spoilery name?
Genocide route does have a lot of traction now, but I feel like calling it the Bad Time route might be best? A lot of people are switching from using Genocide route, and its pretty not good to keep using a word when people have a problem with it.
I can see why it's called the Genocide route, but the Bad Time route does seem more canon seeing as how it's actually stated. It never says 'Genocide' in this route. That said, I do generally call it the Genocide route.
Argument against, in the naming Mercy / Murder are used as "a little on the nose" I think the original intention was for it to be an internally reffered Murder path.
This is simply an excessively long name and one that I don't even hear used. As for genocide being a [TRIGGER] word, too fucking bad.
Genocide route is what is should be called since that is what you are literally doing.
No it isn't good that some people may feel offended by it but it isn't using genocide as a joke that is exactly what the route is.
Argument for (at least I think so?): Murder route does sound a bit better, though it sounds more like you kill everything you encounter, same goes with "No Mercy" route. There's also another option I've heard people come up with, "Massacre route", and before anyone else uses that against us 'fors' it sounds like the monsters never got a chance to fight back.
If anyone can think up of a word/name that states killing everything and everyone, but not make the slayed sound weak, I'd gladly use that name instead if it makes people feel better.
Or like anon said, we could go with 'stab stab everyone's sad'. no i'm joking don't XD
