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Aim assist

Video game concept

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Helps players aim more accurately by subtly adjusting their crosshair or guiding shots toward targets.

133
games
22
platforms

Alternate name: Assisted aiming

See also: auto-aim, target lock

Contrast: dynamic accuracy (unlikely to be together but it's not impossible)
Perhaps most clearly seen in old DOS games (such as Doom and games based on its engine) and similar where the vertical aiming is almost completely automatic with some aid in terms of horizontal aiming (though with some weapons with significant bullet spread it can't be observed as clearly).

Third-person games also have a habit of helping with the aiming. Similarly beat 'em ups and others can have this in the form of the character automatically facing more directly towards the closest opponent.

Can occur in two ways:
* Aim direction is adjusted towards the enemy within small radius, essentially fixing minor aiming errors.
* Minimal target lock where the view automatically follows a target (common in console games where player uses a gamepad)
... the latter is more intrusive in the sense it takes over your part of your control though still shoots exactly where you aim, the former is less intrusive but can shoot a bit off where you intend to (especially if you want to miss or hit something behind someone).
Especially common on platforms with no mouse or similarly accurate controller.

Limitations:
* Optional aiming assistance does NOT count (when disabled by default).
* Does not cover completely automated aiming. Usually player does not control the firing process either in such cases.

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Parent groups

Accessibility, Aiming, Casual elements

Related group

Video game
Target lock

Games by year

93959799010305070911131517192123 1648120

The first Aim assist video game was released on December 10, 1993.

Activision, Capcom, 2K Games and Codemasters published most of these games.

Platforms

Windows49
Linux16
X36012
PS311
MS-DOS10
PS44
PS24
Mac OS Classic3
BeOS3
Xbox One3
Xbox2
GameCube2
Wii2
Saturn2
Amiga AGA2
Pandora2
Atari Falcon1
GP2X1
Android1
PS1
Mac OS X1
Switch1

Most common companies