hit detection

Hit detection is the process by which a video game determines whether objects have made contact—a bullet striking an enemy, a sword connecting with a target, a character touching a power-up.

Games use various methods: hitboxes (invisible geometric shapes around objects), hitscan (instant ray calculations for fast projectiles), or physics-based collision.

Poor hit detection frustrates players when shots that should connect don't register, or when attacks land despite clearly missing: The hit detection in this game is broken.