controller aim assist

[RB6]

Edit:-
Let’s address this once and for all with logic, fairness, and undeniable facts.
Controller players face inherent limitations compared to mouse and keyboard users. The latter offers unparalleled precision, faster reaction times, and natural aiming fluidity due to the full-arm control and adjustable DPI settings. In contrast, controller players are restricted to using their thumbs on analog sticks, resulting in a significant disadvantage. Aim assist isn’t about ‘hand-holding’; it’s about leveling the playing field and ensuring fairness in a competitive environment.
The stigma surrounding aim assist needs to end. It’s not an overpowered mechanic—it’s a necessary tool to balance the fundamental differences between input methods. Without it, controller players are left at an undeniable disadvantage, reducing their ability to compete effectively and enjoy the game. And for those claiming aim assist ruins shooters: games like Apex Legends and Call of Duty have proven that a well-balanced aim assist system can coexist with competitive integrity while welcoming players of all inputs. Conversely, games that ignore controller accessibility alienate a massive part of their audience, leading to fractured communities and, in many cases, dwindling player bases.
Furthermore, let's not ignore the frustration of crossplay. Keyboard and mouse players often complain about losing because they’re paired with controller users on their team. This isn’t a skill issue; it’s a balancing issue. Aim assist doesn’t guarantee headshots—it simply provides controllers with a fighting chance against the precision of a mouse. Isn’t that the definition of fairness?
Game developers are not naïve. They recognize that maintaining balance is key to keeping their player base engaged and satisfied. Separating input-based queues or offering scalable aim assist are proven solutions that work without compromising the integrity of competitive play.
At the heart of this debate is one simple truth: all players deserve an enjoyable and fair gaming experience, no matter their input method. Controllers are not inherently inferior—they’re just different. Giving controller users the tools they need to compete isn’t a privilege; it’s a necessity for the health of the game and its community. The time for change is now.

[RB6]

Originally posted by Mr. Figgles:

Originally posted by MR-Ghost:

That's an interesting take, but you're missing the bigger picture. No one is forcing you to play with a controller, but it’s important to recognize that big companies like Epic Games with Fortnite, Activision with Call of Duty: Warzone, and Microsoft with Halo have implemented aim assist for controller users after extensive research and testing because they understand the challenges that controller players face. These companies have designed these systems specifically to ensure that controller users can compete on a level playing field, without being at a disadvantage compared to mouse and keyboard players.

If you're still skeptical, remember that the decision to implement aim assist isn't about 'making things easier'—it's about fairness. Controller players don't have the same precision as a mouse, so aim assist is there to compensate for that and provide a smoother, more competitive experience. It’s been proven across multiple titles that when aim assist is properly balanced, it enhances the gaming experience for all players. You can still choose to play with a mouse and keyboard, but don't dismiss the validity of aim assist when it's been carefully designed to create an equitable environment for everyone.

At the end of the day, gaming should be about fun and fairness. Don’t force me to give up the benefits that have been incorporated into controllers after years of refinement and player feedback. It’s not about making things too easy; it’s about allowing everyone to play and enjoy the game on equal terms

It's extremely comical that you bring up Halo in your list of games with aim assist to support your argument.

The same game where KBM and Controller accuracy %'s were easily accessible and the community made a graph showing the absolutely insane gap there was in KBM and Controller users? (Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/halo/comments/r3es60/accuracy_stats_for_kbm_vs_controller/ ) The same game that literally had to add aim assist to KBM to even the playing field against controller aim assist. THATS the game you're talking about???

You can try to talk about "Fairness" all day long, but it won't change the fact that aim-assist is the complete opposite of being "Fair." There's nothing "Fair" about having a game perform one of its core, and most important mechanics for you.

Thank you for bringing up Halo—it's a perfect example to discuss. However, your argument actually reinforces the importance of balancing mechanics across input devices.

The gap in accuracy you mentioned between KBM and controllers isn't proof that aim assist is "unfair." It's evidence of how different the two input methods are. KBM naturally provides higher precision due to mouse tracking, while controllers are inherently less accurate without aim assist. That's why games like Halo and others need mechanics like aim assist—not to give an advantage but to create an even playing field.

As for the Reddit graph you referenced, it simply highlights the disparity when balancing isn’t done well. Halo Infinite initially overcompensated with controller aim assist, and when this imbalance became evident, the developers adjusted it to bring parity between KBM and controller. That’s not an argument against aim assist—it’s an example of how tweaking these mechanics can achieve better balance.

Aim assist isn't the game "playing for you." It's a way to ensure players can effectively compete regardless of their input choice. Without it, you'd alienate controller players in crossplay environments, as demonstrated in games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Apex Legends, where aim assist is widely accepted and successfully balances competition.

Instead of dismissing aim assist as unfair, the focus should be on refining it so that all input types feel viable. That’s fairness—not forcing players into one control scheme because the other is inherently disadvantaged

[Mossy Pond]

Originally posted by MR-Ghost:

Originally posted by Plagues:

Nah. You shouldn't need crutches

"Using aim assist isn't about needing 'crutches,' it's about ensuring a fair and balanced experience for players who choose controllers. Every input method has its strengths and limitations—mouse and keyboard offer precision, while controllers provide comfort and accessibility. Aim assist simply levels the playing field, not as a shortcut, but as a necessary adjustment for different hardware. Respecting diverse playstyles makes gaming better for everyone. Hope this perspective helps."

if you use an inferior peripheral then you should experience inferior performance that's how things work and you shouldn't get aim bot for making that choice. something that if I were to use I would be banned for because it's considered cheating. purchase a mouse and keyboard brother

[RB6]

Originally posted by JRS:

yeah btw crossplay is ruining quickplay, most games are insta lose because half of the team are console peasants

It's interesting that you mention crossplay and the perceived disadvantage of having console players on your team. This actually reinforces the argument for aim assist on controllers in crossplay environments. If crossplay is to be fair and enjoyable for everyone, both PC and console players need to be on equal footing.

While PC players benefit from precise aiming with a mouse, console players rely on aim assist to compete effectively. Without it, the balance is skewed, making it harder for controller users to contribute equally to the team's success. Fair competition is about ensuring that players on all platforms can perform at their best with their chosen input method.

So instead of dismissing console players, wouldn’t it make more sense to support features like aim assist that create a more balanced and fair crossplay experience for everyone?

[カミナ]

Good. No one should get artificial assistance over other players. Aim assist has ruined every single modern shooter.

[Roland]

Originally posted by LordSlug:

yea that is the problem with these type of games on controllers, you got all the whiny archaic kbm people crying about it. would be a lot better of a game with aim assist for controllers. Just look at all the games with aim assist compared to ones without it. the ones w it are popular the ones without only have little bit of ppl playing and usually get shut down for lack of engagement. FKBM

GTA 5 removed it years ago and it's still one of the most played games on every platform.

And Vampire The Masquerade Bloodhunt didn't have it at first, and added it and died quickly afterwards. I was an Alpha tester in that game with a controller and I begged them to not add it and they did it anyway and it fractured the fanbase. I would not be surprised if the same thing happened here if they added it.

Controller users either need to learn to dial in their sensitivity and get better, or accept where their skill ceiling is. Aim Assist is a crutch.

And this is coming from a person who has used a controller in EVERYTHING for the last 15 or so years; including games with no controller support whatsoever.

[RB6]

Originally posted by Roland:

Originally posted by MR-Ghost:

The lack of proper aim assist support for controllers in this game makes it very challenging for controller players to enjoy the experience.

A someone who plays StarCraft (and everything else) with a controller:
Skill issue. Git gud.

Not everyone has the same comfort or preference when playing. Using a controller doesn't mean a lack of skill, it's just a choice in how to play. If it was all about skill, games wouldn't offer multiple input options, right? The goal is to enjoy the game in a way that suits each player, regardless of the input method."

This response acknowledges his point while also defending the idea that using different input methods is valid and part of the experience

[JRS]

Originally posted by MR-Ghost:

Originally posted by JRS:

yeah btw crossplay is ruining quickplay, most games are insta lose because half of the team are console peasants

It's interesting that you mention crossplay and the perceived disadvantage of having console players on your team. This actually reinforces the argument for aim assist on controllers in crossplay environments. If crossplay is to be fair and enjoyable for everyone, both PC and console players need to be on equal footing.

While PC players benefit from precise aiming with a mouse, console players rely on aim assist to compete effectively. Without it, the balance is skewed, making it harder for controller users to contribute equally to the team's success. Fair competition is about ensuring that players on all platforms can perform at their best with their chosen input method.

So instead of dismissing console players, wouldn’t it make more sense to support features like aim assist that create a more balanced and fair crossplay experience for everyone?

I don't know maybe ? ranked mode has crossplay disabled precisely because the gap between the 2 is insane, it just ruined quickplay for me but it's a "fun" mode I guess, can't complain

[RB6]

Originally posted by GuyFawx:

the prob with aim assist is when mouse and kb users spoof the controller AA onto a mouse you get a very weird way to cheat so its best that they keep it off

While I understand your concern, the idea that players will 'spoof' aim assist from controllers onto a mouse is a bit far-fetched. The point of aim assist is to balance the difference in precision between controllers and mouse/keyboard setups, which are inherently different. If players are really using external tools or cheats to replicate aim assist, that's a matter for the developers to address, not a reason to remove it altogether. The goal should be a fair playing field for everyone, and aim assist is a tool to help level the playing field for controller users. Instead of penalizing controller players, it would be better for everyone if the game focused on preventing cheating and providing fair gameplay for all

[Roland]

Originally posted by MR-Ghost:

Originally posted by Roland:

A someone who plays StarCraft (and everything else) with a controller:
Skill issue. Git gud.

Not everyone has the same comfort or preference when playing. Using a controller doesn't mean a lack of skill, it's just a choice in how to play. If it was all about skill, games wouldn't offer multiple input options, right?

No, not right.
Skill has nothing to do with the input options available; Skill has to do with how well you use those input options. Your logic does not track.

Either learn to adjust your sensitivity or accept that you suck. (And this is assuming you know how to not go full tilt on the sticks; if all you do is max tilt, then that is an actual skill issue)

[RB6]

Originally posted by UnsungFinancialHero:

Originally posted by MR-Ghost:

"Using aim assist isn't about needing 'crutches,' it's about ensuring a fair and balanced experience for players who choose controllers. Every input method has its strengths and limitations—mouse and keyboard offer precision, while controllers provide comfort and accessibility. Aim assist simply levels the playing field, not as a shortcut, but as a necessary adjustment for different hardware. Respecting diverse playstyles makes gaming better for everyone. Hope this perspective helps."

if you use an inferior peripheral then you should experience inferior performance that's how things work and you shouldn't get aim bot for making that choice. something that if I were to use I would be banned for because it's considered cheating. purchase a mouse and keyboard brother

Why are you forcing me to play a certain way? Everyone has the right to choose their preferred input device. The fact that you're advocating for others to switch to mouse and keyboard is ignoring the fact that controller players also deserve a level playing field. Not everyone has access to or prefers mouse and keyboard, and that doesn't make their performance any less valid. Let players enjoy the game the way they want, without being forced into a specific playstyle

[Roland]

What you don't understand is that if you add aim assist you are going to drive away most keyboard and mouse players from casual queues, which will crank up queue times and rapidly kill the game.

I've watched it happen repeatedly with games; again I've been using controllers for 15 years even on games that do not support them.

If you care about the game at all and enjoy playing it you will learn to tune your sensitivity and accept your skill ceiling. The alternative is a rapid death for the game.

Also, even if they did add it, it wouldn't be in Ranked. Even Paladins, which has some AIm Assist in Casuals, has it disabled in Ranked, and that game has separate queues for Keyboard or Controller.

[Roland]

Originally posted by UnsungFinancialHero:

for making that choice.

While I highly disagree with OP, I gotta say, for some it's not a choice.

You'll understand when the arthritis gets ya; or you'll quit PC gaming.

[Tarzan]

Originally posted by MR-Ghost:

The lack of proper aim assist support for controllers in this game makes it very challenging for controller players to enjoy the experience. It's difficult to compete, especially when aiming feels clunky and less precise compared to playing with a mouse and keyboard.

Controller players deserve better collaboration and consideration. Adding a reliable aim assist system would create a more balanced and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Meanwhile, mouse and keyboard players benefit from smoother movement and aiming, which makes gameplay much easier for them. This disparity makes the experience less fair and enjoyable for controller users.

I strongly urge the developers to address this issue and work on adding a proper aim assist system for controller players. It's a critical improvement that would enhance the game for a wider audience.

you're joking right

[RB6]

Originally posted by Roland:

Originally posted by LordSlug:

yea that is the problem with these type of games on controllers, you got all the whiny archaic kbm people crying about it. would be a lot better of a game with aim assist for controllers. Just look at all the games with aim assist compared to ones without it. the ones w it are popular the ones without only have little bit of ppl playing and usually get shut down for lack of engagement. FKBM

GTA 5 removed it years ago and it's still one of the most played games on every platform.

And Vampire The Masquerade Bloodhunt didn't have it at first, and added it and died quickly afterwards. I was an Alpha tester in that game with a controller and I begged them to not add it and they did it anyway and it fractured the fanbase. I would not be surprised if the same thing happened here if they added it.

Controller users either need to learn to dial in their sensitivity and get better, or accept where their skill ceiling is. Aim Assist is a crutch.

And this is coming from a person who has used a controller in EVERYTHING for the last 15 or so years; including games with no controller support whatsoever.

While I understand your point about the use of aim assist in games like Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodhunt and GTA V, it's important to note that the inclusion of aim assist in competitive shooters isn't about offering a "crutch" for players, but rather about providing balance between different input devices.

Aim assist isn't a one-size-fits-all solution — it's designed with flexibility. Developers can fine-tune it at various levels (strength, dead zone, snap) to ensure it doesn’t dominate gameplay. It’s not about making a game “easier” for controller users, but about making it more fair in crossplay environments.

For example, in Fortnite, developers have implemented adjustable aim assist levels. This way, players can choose what works best for their playstyle, and the game doesn’t force a heavy-handed mechanic. This provides players with the option to play with aim assist, or without, depending on how much help they want.

In many games, mouse and keyboard players already have an advantage in terms of precision and speed due to the nature of the inputs. The point of aim assist is to level the playing field for controller users, who face limitations with analog sticks when compared to the precision of a mouse. Aim assist allows for more competitive play, ensuring that controller users aren’t unfairly disadvantaged in fast-paced combat scenarios.

Instead of seeing aim assist as a "crutch", it should be viewed as a tool for better balance and more enjoyable crossplay experiences. Game developers are constantly adjusting and refining this feature, ensuring it adds to the skill ceiling rather than reducing it. It’s about providing options, not restrictions.

[RB6]

I completely understand your viewpoint, and I agree that the gap between controller and mouse & keyboard users can be significant. However, it seems there is an ongoing battle between the two input methods, and unfortunately, it forces some of us to play in a way that feels unnatural or unfair.

From what I've gathered through these discussions, it's clear that the introduction of aim assist isn't about creating an unfair advantage, but rather about balancing the experience. Mouse & keyboard players have the benefit of precise aiming with high sensitivity and quicker reaction times, whereas controller players have limited mobility and sensitivity adjustment, which makes the game feel much harder for us, especially in fast-paced games.

One thing to consider is that, in many modern games, aim assist isn't overpowered or game-breaking — it's simply an adjustment to level the playing field. It's not about turning the controller into an aimbot, but rather making sure that those of us who use controllers aren't at an extreme disadvantage. Developers like in Call of Duty and Fortnite have found a balance, ensuring that controllers and mouse/keyboard users can coexist without ruining the experience for either side.

Moreover, adding aim assist doesn't mean turning off skill or practice — it simply gives controller users a fighting chance to play effectively. And if we’re looking for fairness, it's crucial that both input methods are considered on equal footing, not just based on which one is more “precise” but how each player can comfortably compete.

Another idea is to give players an option to choose whether they want to play with controller users or mouse/keyboard users. In that way, those who prefer more precise aiming can stick with their preferred input method while others can enjoy a more balanced match.

It's not about who’s right or wrong, but about creating a fair and enjoyable experience for all players. Aim assist in this context can serve as a means to make sure we're not at a massive disadvantage, and it should be implemented in a way that ensures everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy the game.