Ballistics

Other (objects, etc.) concept

Models projectile physics by allowing them to bounce off and penetrate certain materials as well as drop due to gravity, possibly including effects of wind and others.

231
games
39
platforms

Alternate names: Projectile physics, Bullet physics, Bullet drop

See also: overpenetration (technically part of ballistics but often treated separately)

Related: (shooter realism)
* Dynamic accuracy

If you were looking for bullet physics library, go here.
Aspects:
* Gravity affects projectiles - bullets/arrows drop with distance rather than flying in a straight line unaffected by gravity
* Drag or air resistance - projectile speed drops with distance traveled, may affect only effective range of the weapon but may involve reduced damage/penetration properties
* Wind shear - wind blows projectiles off course
* Overpenetration
* Ricocheting
* Overmatch
* Materials

Common in tactical shooters, some others also use it to improve realism.

For strategy games this can be assumed to indicate the game simulates the flightpath of the projectiles rather than doing hitscanning (and does this to see if the projectile actually hits, not just for the graphics).

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Parent group

Simulation elements

Child group

Impact angle

Games by year

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The first Ballistics video game was released in 1983.

Nintendo, Ubisoft and Bethesda Softworks published most of these games.

Platforms

Windows 67
Linux 41
X360 16
Xbox 9
NES 8
Mac OS X 8
SNES 7
PS3 7
Wii 6
N64 6
MS-DOS 6
GameCube 5
PS2 4
GBA 4
Wii U 4
PS4 3
Mac OS Classic 2
Pandora 2
GP2X 2
GBC 2
3DS 2
Amiga 2
BeOS 2
Atari 7800 1
Ouya 1
GameKing 1
iOS 1
Arcade 1
Xbox One 1
Switch 1