Some gaming monitors offer the option to display a crosshair. However, some players do not like this because they consider it cheating. Others, however, believe that only beginners benefit from it and in the long run, it doesn’t really matter.
Hardcore shooters like Escape from Tarkov are known to be particularly difficult. This is partly because these games omit popular aids, such as the crosshair. In reality, these aids are also not conveniently displayed in the regular view.
For some time now, there have been gaming monitors that offer the option to display a crosshair as assistance directly on the monitor. Therefore, this feature is not completely new.
For many gamers, the advantages of this feature are obvious:
- You can activate a crosshair in games that normally don’t have one and gain assistance and thus an advantage over other players who don’t have this feature.
- Since this is an integration in your gaming monitor, anti-cheat programs and similar will not complain about its use.
- As this is a function of the monitor, help will also not be displayed during screen sharing and remains visible only to the user in front of the screen.
Furthermore, this function does not fall under third-party software, which is explicitly forbidden by many developers for their games. For example, aggressive measures are taken against it in CoD: Warzone. Here it seems the strategy against cheaters in the Warzone is finally working, but many remain skeptical about the success.
When can this feature help? Many average players are not as disciplined or focused as professional players. The crosshair helps to direct the gaze to a central point that stays in memory. So, it is not an aimbot or other technical assistance.
A crosshair does not blend into the game world and focuses attention on the center where important actions occur. Especially beginners like to use such features to practice and prepare for competitive games.
Is this feature even allowed? Officially, you are allowed to use the crosshair function of your monitor. This function does not fall under so-called third-party software; it is a function of the hardware.
However, this does not mean that it is really advisable to use this function: Among other players, this function is highly controversial. Many players clearly see such aids as cheating and wish for a ban or another punishment for such individuals.
Other games try to combat cheating gamers with complex technology. The shooter Destiny 2 now relies on a new anti-cheat protection that aims to prevent cheating.
Crosshair feature is controversial – For some players, it’s cheating
These are the reactions: How controversial this actually harmless function is, is evident from a look into various gaming forums.
For example, a user writes on reddit (via reddit.com):
It is cheating in games like CS:GO, where some weapons like the AWP have no crosshair, making it easy to kill people without a sight. I do not recommend using it if you want to respect yourself.
Another user writes (via reddit.com):
In principle, it is considered a bit like cheating for FPS games, but it can also help you calibrate your monitor.
Many maintain the opinion that this technical gimmick provides an advantage. While not everyone can benefit from it, for some the small advantage is sufficient. As a contribution to equal opportunity or fair play, this feature is not considered (via reddit.com):
People use it [the feature]… apparently it gives them an advantage, even if it is just one in ten cases – Escape from Tarkov is a game without respawns. Sometimes that fraction of a second gives an adequate advantage over the opponent.
I repeat: I am not a fan of crosshairs in games, but I am a fan of fair play.
Especially the fact that this advantage can be hidden and is neither visible to other players nor detectable by the game makes the monitor feature so unfair. Some even go so far as to claim: Why ban third-party software when these monitors are allowed in games anyway (via forum.escapefromtarkov.com).
Are there other opinions? Yes, because other users do not understand the excitement. If you are bad at a game, this aim assist does not instantly make you a better player. A user writes (via forum.escapefromtarkov.com):
The number of people complaining about a monitor’s crosshair is hysterical!!! If you are bad at the game… it won’t make you better because they’re inaccurate… and if you’re good… you don’t need them anyway.
Especially beginners who like to use such tools would hardly be seen in competitive matches, as the skills of seasoned gamers would balance out the advantage.
This monitor feature may be a nice gimmick, but the fuss about it is way too great. Other cheaters with their wall hacks and other things cause much bigger problems. In games like Call of Duty: Warzone, cheaters have long been annoying fair players.
What do you think about this? Do you find such assists acceptable or do you want to see such people banned? Discuss with us in the comments!
