Aiming

Video game concept

Any tags related to aiming/targeting.

platforms

Aiming types:
* Free aim: vague, covers several methods of aiming. usually something between independent aim, aim deadzone, and floating aim.
* Independent aim: aim is completely independent of movement direction and character facing. Battle tank's turret is most obvious real example of this.
* Floating aim/gun nudge: aim goes slightly ahead of turning, commonly just visual gimmick and doesn't actually affect aiming but there are some rare games where it does affect actual aim.
* Aim dead zone/free reticle: reticle can move across the screen without affecting the heading the view overall points.
* Dynamic accuracy: aim deteriorates in mostly unpredictable manner.
* Aim assist: aim is automatically adjusted, usually a bit less than deadzone would allow them to nudge aim.
* Automatic aim: aim is automatically set on target, often near impossible to break away from. player has little to no work to do and has about as much effect on accuracy. Often combined with target lock to designate at who to attack at.

Games by year

Hi-Tec Software published all these games.

This is a container group; its children are:

Aim assist	Helps players aim more accurately by subtly adjusting their crosshair or guiding shots toward targets.	1993 / 2019	132 games
Aim dead zone	An area where you can aim around without affecting your heading. (too short)	1994 / 2017	39 games
Aim delay	Gun, turret, etc. reaches the point where player wants it after a short delay instead of instantly. Commonly with use of two reticles, one for where the player points and where the gun points. Usually part of aiming with heavy cannons.	2010 / 2016	4 games
Aim mode	Besides shooting from hip, you can also raise the weapon up and aim with the scope, iron sights, or whatever else.	1990 / 2023	258 games
Automatic aiming	Aiming is (almost) completely automated with player only needing to press attack button to successfully and accurately hit their opponents. Commonly includes target lock functionality to offer greater control.	1985 / 2017	39 games
Crew targeting	Vehicles can be indirectly disabled by attacking the crew rather than the vehicle. Including other interactions (except dialogs) with the crew without removing them from the vehicles. And including ability to attack riders without harming the mounts.	1999 / 2016	25 games
Dynamic accuracy	Weapon accuracy is dynamic - affected by repeated firing, posture, movement and other factors - rather than static bullet spread radius.	2002 / 2021	128 games
Floating aim	Aim moves somewhat freely of view direction, similar to having a deadzone, but does not prevent view direction changes. Turning causes gun to point to a side and any fire to go that way too. True floating aim does not re-center aim by itself after.	2006 / 2013	7 games
Independent aiming	Aiming is independent of move or view direction. Character does not turn their whole body to face where they aim and backbedal in the other direction.	1980 / 2016	154 games
Target lead indicator	A simple computer aiming aid model which calculates the direction you need to shoot at to hit the target at their current movement vector.	2002 / 2016	15 games
No crosshair	There's no targeting crosshair on the HUD. (too short)	1979 / 2016	33 games
No target lock	Target lock, which normally is present in games of this type (MMORPG, space flight sim, and possibly others), is absent.	2010 / 2011	2 games
Part targeting	Allows specifically targeting certain body/vehicle parts/sub-systems somehow. Usually when player can't manually target them with their actions or attacks.	1997 / 2017	32 games
Target lock	Narrows your focus in games, fixing the camera on an opponent or aiding actions aimed at a specific target.	1994 / 2019	164 games
Target outline	Targets (people, vehicles, etc. you're aiming at) are outlined somehow. (too short)	2005 / 2016	6 games