Headshot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For "headshot" in photography, see Head shot.
Headshot is a mostly colloquial term, referring to the projectile-induced injury to the head of a living thing (resulting in instant death). Its use can be seen in movies and books from at least the past few decades, but in contemporary times the term is most commonly associated with video games. As in real life, it indicates that a game character (be it the player, an opponent, an ally or an NPC) has been hit in the head, usually by a bullet. It is often attempted in sniping.
Within and without the context of video games, a headshot usually signifies a shot of particular skill - the head is one of the smallest targets on the body to hit; therefore one of the most difficult to shoot. Many first-person shooters such as the Halo series and Unreal Tournament reward players for headshots on this basis, with such a shot inflicting more than the normal amount of damage, usually proving lethal. In multiplayer Delta Force 2 and other games in NovaLogic's Delta Force series, shooting an opponent in the head will score double points, due to the increased difficulty of the shot.
Rarely, players will score a long streak of headshots, either through a phenomenal display of skill or through luck. One of the higher displays of skill is in attaining multiple headshots with a sniper rifle, since the difficulty of tracking a moving target through a Scope and scoring a Headshot requires much finesse. Due to this, such an extraordinary feat is often attributed to cheating. This accusation originates from programs or modified game files known as 'aimbots', which permit players to instantly score headshots upon seeing a target. Additionally, some weapons in games are dubbed as "headshot machines" due to their recoil pattern having the innate effect of rising the point of impact up towards the head after a burst of fire.
The term's use in videogaming circles was increased by its appeareance in Unreal Tournament, in which the game's announcer would loudly proclaim "HEADSHOT!" whenever one was achieved by the player. In 2004, the use of the term was made even more ubiquitous by an episode of the Pure Pwnage series, wherein the professional gamer FPS_Doug would himself shout "BOOM! HEADSHOT!" after scoring a headshot against his opponents. Some players repeat the line as a tribute to FPS_Doug, Unreal Tournament, or simply as a celebratory cheer for a plan gone well.
Many gamers have made simple mods to get the announcer from Unreal Tournament into other multiplayer games. Mostly in Counter-Strike and other Half-Life mods, either due to popularity or the ease of doing so, or both.
Many games also have specific "death animations" to signify a headshot such as the popular Halo: Combat Evolved, where a player will spin and fall to the ground. Many other games feature the head exploding or being torn apart such as Conker: Live & Reloaded and Gears of War. In Urban Dead, zombie hunters can buy the "headshot" skill to incapacitate the zombie players they kill. In most games featuring ragdoll animation a headshot will result in an instant ragdoll effect, simulating the complete loss of brain input to the body.
