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In video games, aim assist is a gameplay feature designed to help players with their aiming. It is commonly found in first-person shooter (FPS) games, and is an element particularly designed for players who use controller inputs, as opposed to a mouse and keyboard (MnK).

Background and description[edit]

Aiming down the sights or scope of a gun is a key component of first-person shooters. Allowing for more precise movements and aiming, the mouse and keyboard is considered the easier and more intuitive input.[1][2] With a controller's thumbsticks being harder to use, developers of FPS games include aim assist as tool for those using controllers.[1][3]

The aim assist function helps guide a controller player's crosshairs automatically.[3] Contemporary player versus player (PvP) games employ the feature by way of "slowing down crosshair movement when an enemy enters a certain range of the player's crosshair."[2] Games also have been noted to include aim assist as a feature that can be toggled off.[2] An element of aim assist is zoom snapping, which Morgan Park of PC Gamer described as an "invisible force that guides a controller player's reticle to an enemy's head or body when aiming as long as they're looking in the enemy's direction, and keeps the aim locked there for a time".[4]

Some players have utilized third-party re-mapping programs, a software that spoofs their MnK input to trick a console into thinking they are using a controller. This allows for the player to receive benefits from a mouse's precision and the aim assist setting.[4][5] In response, developers use anti-cheat software to detect these third party re-mapping programs and have banned players for using them.[6]

History[edit]

With the rise of games employing crossplay, aim assist began to be more considered by players, developers, and video game media writers. PC players largely use the MnK input,[7] though the aim assist feature is usually available for all controller players, even when they play on PC platforms.[1] Such players have expressed feelings that aim assist is an overpowered mechanic, giving controller players an unfair advantage.[7] Often times, developers of games including the mechanic have "politely ignored" requests to nerf the feature.[4] Indeed, instances of patches to the feature designed to tone down its perceived advantages, such as with The Finals' 1.4.1 patch in January 2024, are considered rare.[4] This particular patch addressed zoom snapping and camera magnetism elements of aim assist, as well as prohibiting clients running key remapping programs on PC access to the feature.[4] The complete disabling of the feature in PC–console crossplay matches has been another response from developers,[8] though this is not an available route for games that do not present an option for players to disable crossplay.[7]

In esports[edit]

Though players have stated concerns about unfair advantages allowed by the tool, aim assist is not considered "cheating".[1] Players have indeed been noted to actively switch from MnK to controller for competitive advantages.[8] As an intentional feature of games, the aim assist tool is used in professional esports. After winning the ALGS Year 3 Split 1 Playoffs tournament, the professional Apex Legends player ImperialHal cited his switching to controller as helping improve his play.[9]

In other genres[edit]

Though it is often discussed in the context of the FPS genre and PvP settings, aim assist has been noted to exist in other types of games. The role-playing game (RPG) Diablo IV, which features player versus environment (PvE) gameplay, has an auto aim system. The feature can be turned off in the game's settings.[10]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d González Rodríguez, André (September 25, 2021). "What is Aim Assist and is using it cheating?". Dot Esports. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Snavely, Adam (June 29, 2022). "How to turn on aim assist in Fortnite". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Davison, Ethan (October 16, 2020). "Aim assist in the crosshairs". Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Park, Morgan (January 11, 2024). "The Finals drops major nerf on controller aim assist, targets controller spoofing on PC". PC Gamer. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  5. ^ Smith, Graham (January 11, 2024). "The Finals stops players taking unfair advantage from controller aim assist". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Carr, James (June 17, 2024). "Valorant Players Are Already Getting Banned For Using Mouse And Keyboard On Console". GameSpot. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Chalk, Andy (November 3, 2022). "Modern Warfare 2 players are already taking sides in the battle over aim assist". PC Gamer. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Litchfield, Ted (October 15, 2022). "Would you play an FPS with a controller if aim assist helped you win more?". PC Gamer. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  9. ^ Bennett, Connor (February 7, 2023). "Apex Legends aim assist debate reignited as ImperialHal wins ALGS on controller". Dexerto. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  10. ^ Bergin, Lauren (2023). "Diablo 4 has aim assist on PC, and it's OP". PCGamesN. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
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