FPS

First-Person Shooter, a genre of action game where the player experiences gameplay from the protagonist's first-person perspective, seeing through the character's eyes, and where shooting mechanics are the primary mode of interaction. The genre began with Wolfenstein 3D (1992) and was codified by Doom (1993) and Quake (1996), both id Software titles that established the template for 3D movement, weapons, and level design. The genre divides into several distinct sub-categories: arena shooters (Quake, Unreal Tournament) emphasise mechanical skill and fast movement; military realistic shooters (Call of Duty, Battlefield) prioritise tactical positioning and gunplay feel; hero shooters (Valorant, Overwatch 2) add distinctive character abilities to the formula; and immersive sims (Bioshock, Dishonored) blend FPS combat with RPG systems and environmental storytelling. The FPS genre is the most popular in competitive gaming and esports: Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and Overwatch 2 command massive tournament ecosystems and professional leagues. Key skills in FPS games include aim precision, crosshair placement, map awareness, and game sense (understanding where enemies are likely to be before you see them). Modern FPS titles extensively use aim-assist on controllers to help console players compete with mouse-and-keyboard accuracy.