Aim assist
Also said as Magnetism, Reticle friction, Auto-aim
The game quietly helps you aim. Usually friction, where the cursor slows near a target, and magnetism, where it pulls gently towards one.
A thumbstick is far less precise than a mouse. Without assistance, console shooters would mostly be a contest against the controller, not the enemy.
Say it
“Add aim assist on gamepad only: slow the reticle by 40% over a target, and bend bullets 2 degrees towards it. Never pull the camera without input.”
Where you’ve seen it
Halo built its console shooting around sticky aiming and a magnetic pull on bullets, and most console shooters have followed its lead.
Not to be confused with auto-lock
Auto-lock picks the target and points you at it. Aim assist only leans on your aim, so you still feel you did it.